The Chainlink

Reconfigured bike lanes by Riverfront Plaza on Elston are a nightmare!

The northwest side of Elston by Riverfront Plaza has turned into a nightmare with the recently re-striped and reconfigured bike lanes and center turning lane. Going southeast toward downtown isn't bad, especially since they moved the bike lane away from the curb, but headed northwest is insane with one lane of auto traffic, cars in the bike lane trying to merge into the now single lane of car traffic, cars pulling out of the Plaza, cars turning into the Plaza - they made a bad situation even worse. IMO.

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Permalink Reply by Carly on June 16, 2011 at 8:26am
I've never biked that part of Elston before, and seeing this situation ahead of me when I'm going 15-20 mph makes me nervous.  My immediate instinct here is to do a fake right, because I hate being that close to the front bumpers of cars.  I always think that they're going to gun it at any second.  Either that or I'd have to take the entire car lane to make sure they see me.  That's really bad.  And now with the new lane car traffic is grazing the noses of these two vehicles? well, a fake right would be my only option, and that is so so risky.
Permalink Reply by Carter O'Brien on June 16, 2011 at 9:28am
I don't recall this ever being any different - hasn't there always been this inadequate bike lane when heading NW?   It has always been a little odd as Elston is wide and with only one traffic lane in each direction.  I'd say it's totally ripe for a protected bike lane.
Permalink Reply by Steven Vance on June 16, 2011 at 11:37am

I just got home from a little detour to the new lane configuration on Elston between Damen and Logan. Here're some more details as to how the road is now laid out:

1. Elston between Damen and Leavitt. 

Northwest: Bike lane striping unmoved; addition of some sharrows; bike lane striping restriped.

Southeast: Bike lane striping unmoved; addition of some sharrows; main lanes now striped to have two lanes.

2. Elston between Leavitt and Logan Boulevard

Northwest: Bike lane striping unmoved; addition of some sharrows. Bike lane striping restriped.

Southeast: Bike lane striping moved 8 feet from curb to create curb side lane where parking is not allowed; addition of center left-turn lane; bike lane striping restriped. 

Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on June 16, 2011 at 1:08pm
Maybe one night the sign will just disappear.
Permalink Reply by Gopher Biker on June 16, 2011 at 2:52pm

I agree, the center lane is a good idea and once the cagers get used to the new configuration things will improve but until that time chaos will reign more than usual. The cars pulling out of Riverfront Plaza will, unfortunately, continue to be a big problem.

 

as an aside - It would be nice if they re-striped the lane down by Morton Salt - it is almost gone now.

Permalink Reply by milesperhour on June 16, 2011 at 6:56pm
Disappointing.  Yes, I called the main number and asked for the general manager. I presented the issue to him as both a driver and bicycle.

Stefanie Seskin said:

I went by today as well. I'm really happy about the center turn lane - adds a lot of clarity where there was none before. (Of course, better site review before development to reduce the number of driveways and line them up with each other would have helped a lot more). I hope this type of configuration is carried SE when the reconfigured Elston is striped.

 

I'm not sure what the dimensions are, but I wonder if there could have been an opportunity to add some width to the bike lanes, which as Steven points out, are pretty much in the same place as they've always been. I also wonder about the justification of the right-turn lane at Elston/Logan, as bicycle riders are sort of dropped into fend-for-yourself mode there. A pedestrian crossing between that plaza and the Target site would be nice to have as well.

 

It doesn't look like the Strack and Van Til sign was moved back, though. I wonder if it would be helpful to approach the manager from the driver-side of the issue too, pointing out how difficult it is to see when making a turn out of there. MPH - did you just call their general store number (773-252-6400)? Perhaps if a few more of us call, they'll make the change.

Permalink Reply by milesperhour on June 16, 2011 at 8:19pm
*bicyclist
Permalink Reply by milesperhour on July 1, 2011 at 7:48pm
Strack and Van Til moved the sign back about 2'. You can see the markings on the cement from where it used to be. It's much better now.
Permalink Reply by h' Zerocats on July 2, 2011 at 8:56am
Good work!!
Permalink Reply by Sebastian Baptiste on July 2, 2011 at 11:55am

Perhaps this would be a time to do a comprehensive picture taking campaign:

  • Photograph as many stretches of faded lines as possible (90%??);
  • Point out unsuccessful (read: silly) bike lanes (like the merging lines on Roosevelt Bridge, South Loop);
  • The excess of road width designated for cars vs. pedestrian/bicycle use; and
  • The hopeless gridlock most of the working day downtown and many other areas in Chicago.

Then present a nice compilation to our newly installed mayor, perhaps adding the wish that if he REALLY wants to let the world and community know his stance on the viability of bicycling, he should propose to make downtown accessible, to begin with a 5 or so mile stretch of bicycle lanes on Michigan Ave. –at present a big and ugly stinking "parking lot"–, starting in the South Loop, and ending somewhere around the curve.

Meanwhile Pixar just brought out Cars 2... the latest attempt to brainwash the next generation into thinking that cars are cute soulful creatures instead of a source of misery, waste and noxious fumes. Oh well...

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