The Chainlink

A friend is having a bbq/pool party out in the suburbs this Saturday, and if the weather co-operates, I'm thinking about biking to it, rather than driving.

My concern is safety. This is the general route I'm thinking about taking: http://goo.gl/bsG7i

I'm a bit afraid that, since I'm returning after dark, my trip through Austin etc won't be safe.  I'm not too worried.  I may be a woman, but as a 6' woman who's generally pretty good at having an air of, "you don't want to fuck with me, mate" when necessary, I've never had any issue of walking/biking in darkness beyond the normal catcalls/shouting.

Plus, I ride a hybrid, with a rather upright posture.  When I combine that with a safety vest and my terrifyingly bright front light, I've had many people comment that they thought I was the police.

Does anybody have any advice?  (apart from putting on plenty of sunblock!)  Or encouragement of, "yeah, do it girl!"  I've never traveled out to the suburbs by bike before.

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I ride the Prairie Path daily through Maywood and Bellwoid to commute, and have been doing so for the past year. In over 500 rides, I have suffered verbal harassment twice, and that is the extent of any issues. I am, however, a big guy on an inexpensive bike, and only have ridden after dark during the winter.. That being said, I would probably use Washington or Madison on my way back, and the northern route through Austin.

Streets have traffic, residents, potential witnesses, sight lines, police patrol, lights. IPP has none of those. If you feel safe after dark based on very local knowledge good for you.

peter moormann said:

An interesting strong opinion John. 

Can you please tell us of  the events that lead to your conclusion regarding the differing levels of unsafeness.

I'm curious as I live in Forest Park and ride IPP often and have not heard of any incidents.

thanks

petem

John C. Wilson said:

IPP is Illinois Prairie Path. After dark it is less safe than a Chicago park after closing time.  There are old railroad frontage streets along most all of the IPP route and those are better than the path anywhere east of I-294. In the daytime.  After dark don't be on the path. Having lights just makes you an easier target.

I've done the ride from Loop to Glen Ellyn (just west of Lombard) where I grew up many times. Riding through Austin and West Garfield Park is a very tense situation. So is Maywood and Bellwood at the start of the Prairie Path but to a much smaller degree. In the daylight I'd say Maywood and Bellwood should be ok.

I've had a bottle thrown at me once and generally hassled most times I've ridden on the West Side but nothing worse than that.

I'm bigger than you, generally don't shy from conflict, and also have street smarts. I work with a church in Garfield Park and the employees there, who live in the neighborhood, try to get home before dark if they are walking. I always was on edge in Austin and Garfield Park at times. I would urge you to consider this very carefully. It's doable, but I agree that its a daytime ride for sure. It's very unfortunate what the gangs have done to parts of this city.

Also remember that if you miss a Metra you can get the Blue Line at Forest Park which is just east of the head of the IPP at First Ave.

Sorry, tried to edit on my phone and did duplicate post by accident. Ride Safe.

Austin is statistically one of the most dangerous & violent neighborhoods in Chicago which is saying a lot. It is not "sketchy" or "gentrifying" as some would say. A single women riding a bike at night with lights is extremely dangerous. Perhaps, strike up a conversation at a coffee spot and speak to a Chicago cop if your still considering the route?

IPP is actually a nice ride in Lombard/Villa Park/ Elmhurst at night and is reasonably well lit through those towns. For the most part, a light is more necessary to be seen than to see. I haven't taken it east, past Elmhurst, at night and can't comment on that portion. 

Kudos for riding out here... but I agree with the others who have suggested just taking the Metra back (or Blue Line). The benefits simply don't negate the risks.

Take the Blue Line to Forest Park. It's a block from the IPP trailhead.

Thanks again for all the advice, I'll definitely be using it in the future!

Alas, one of my friends convinced me to drive.  There's a bunch of people who need to get out there from the suburbs, and my car holds 5 :/

Another day.

Sigh.  I was looking forward to this adventure.

+1.

I keep my ear to the ground and can't think of any assaults I've heard of on the Prarie Path in recent years.

Surely a statement such as this must be based on first hand knowledge of some occurrence or occurrences?

Hopefull John will come forth as I believe it will benefit all of us to know what specific risks we're facing and precisely where.

peter moormann said:

An interesting strong opinion John. 

Can you please tell us of  the events that lead to your conclusion regarding the differing levels of unsafeness.

I'm curious as I live in Forest Park and ride IPP often and have not heard of any incidents.

thanks

petem

John C. Wilson said:

IPP is Illinois Prairie Path. After dark it is less safe than a Chicago park after closing time.  There are old railroad frontage streets along most all of the IPP route and those are better than the path anywhere east of I-294. In the daytime.  After dark don't be on the path. Having lights just makes you an easier target.

I ride down Augusta about 200 days a year.  The worst thing that's happened to me is during the hottest day of the year last Summer, some dude dumped a bucket of water on me.  Some people may try to chat you up, but mostly it's kids trying to make a dime on a street corner.  They don't want the police involved with their lives.

This is a pretty safe route.  The transfer up 5th to Washington can be interesting, but is no worse than riding through Lincoln Park.

However, if you're freaked-out about riding Augusta, then take Oak Park Avenue to Grand, then Grand to Armitage.

I used to ride the Prarie Path twice a week from Downers' Grove to Chicago.  It's pretty fine.  The Eastern part is a little depressing, but the vast majority of users are friendly.

Oh, and don't try the Prarie Path without a light.  That's more dangerous than riding through any neighborhood in the city.

I've been thinking about this ride all morning. The more I thought about it the more I agree with Adam above and what I originally said that what would make the most sense is the Blue Line to Forest Park. You would just need to ride down to the Blue Line on the Ike south from Logan Square and take the Blue Line west to Forest Park. Hit the IPP at First Avenue in Maywood (just the other side from the cemetary) and ride west to Lombard.

Like you said, "next time." Good luck.

Christine (5.0) said:

Thanks again for all the advice, I'll definitely be using it in the future!

Alas, one of my friends convinced me to drive.  There's a bunch of people who need to get out there from the suburbs, and my car holds 5 :/

Another day.

Sigh.  I was looking forward to this adventure.

The IPP-Illinois Prarie Path- is pretty much a backyard play area thru some depressed suburbs especially on the east end. As more of a vehicular cyclist and liking having access to facilities (DD's, 7/11, lighted gas stations to do tire changes and regular police patrols as well as the social safety of more people around) I prefer the usually higher speed on street routes to do distances. 15-18MPH on a trail is asking for an 'oops' moment where as that speed on road makes you more visible and (yes) respected.

The North Ave corridor is wide enuf that road conditions, traffic and the like are much easier to deal with especially when as well lighted as you describe. Also the 'muggles' usually stay out of the street where they can be all over the place on a trail.

I admit I am not familiar with this route recntly but at night with lights and reflectors a wide street is a big difference than a dark potentially crowded (weekend drunks and ne'erdo wells) unpoliced trail.

Use the advantages of urban life to your advantage and avoid the pitfalls.

Jeff

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