Footage of a driver getting into the bike lane and parking

This morning on my commute, I witnessed a driver pulling into the bike lane and stopping there to park. My helmet camera captured it all. I believe the only way drivers can be ticketed is if they are actually seen by a cop or Dept. of Revenue worker. Since I have footage however, can anything be done after the fact?

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Permalink Reply by Matt Talbert on August 15, 2014 at 7:32am

Please note my original post did not pertain to that issue as my commute is not near that school. That was brought up by other posters who may want to respond to your comment within this discussion. Since you addressed me personally, I would like to give my two cents. You may also want to clarify whether you permit people to actually park in the bike lane (I have not seen this for myself, so I cannot state whether that is actually what happens). If that is the case, I highly doubt any cyclist was involved in that discussion. While I understand that you would like respect just as anyone else would, please note respect is a two way street. Obstruction of the bike lane forces cyclists into faster auto traffic which could be extremely hazardous, which in my opinion is a disregard to the respect of other cyclists in my humble opinion.

Brendan N said:

Matt

My name is Brendan Nestor, and I am the owner of JTA SCHOOLS. We do have a permit for a "20 foot loading zone from 7am-630pm. The loading zone signs can take up to 18 months to get installed per Alderman Fioretti's office. I apologize for the inconvenience it causes you, but we do have a permit and eventually the signs will be installed. We would appreciate you and every other biker to be respectful of our school and parents that attend our school. This was the loading area that was approved by the city of Chicago. You are welcome to come into the school to further discuss.

Permalink Reply by Brendan N on August 15, 2014 at 8:35am

R W

The school was approved by the city of Chicago for a "loading zone" on Harrison St. three months ago. The bike lane was striped two weeks AFTER we opened our doors. There will be signs put in within the next 18 months. I am not the bad guy here. I am simply trying to run a business. 

R W said:

Sorry, that wasn't clear. They seem to think they have a permit to construct a loading zone in the same spot where the city just striped the bike lane. 

Cheryl said:

Hmm quite sure the ordinance does not provide for "permits" excepting vehicles from compliance ... it does provide for towing and impounding vehicles though....

Permalink Reply by Thunder Snow on August 15, 2014 at 9:13am

Brendan: your loading zone is not IN a bike lane.  It's on the street just to the left of the bike lane.  The bike lane must remain clear for bike traffic. Please advise your parents they are risking a $150 fine by blocking the bike lane, and risking the lives of all the cyclists who need to veer off into the travel lane because of the parents' illegally parked cars.  Check with your alderman if this isn't clear.
 
Brendan N said:

R W

The school was approved by the city of Chicago for a "loading zone" on Harrison St. three months ago. The bike lane was striped two weeks AFTER we opened our doors. There will be signs put in within the next 18 months. I am not the bad guy here. I am simply trying to run a business. 

Permalink Reply by David Barish on August 15, 2014 at 9:21am

This seems unclear. It seems that two legitimate uses are at cross purposes here. I wonder if the powers that be who created both  a loading zone and a bike lane were aware that they created an anomaly or whether two different agencies operating under the umbrella of the city had acted without knowledge of each other. A loading zone makes sense for a school but not in a bike lane. If indeed the city intended for both to exist it would make sense for signs to go up warning cyclists of the loading zone and warning parents of the bikes as well as  perhaps limiting the hours for use of the loading zone to perhaps right around the beginning and ending of the school day. 

Payton school on  Wells abuts a bike lane. I don't recall whether there is an official loading zone but often see cars dropping off kids. There was a cycle fatality there a couple years ago and if I recall a door from a car was what caused the rider to fatally veer into traffic. The consequences of this cross usage are real.

Brendan N said:

R W

The school was approved by the city of Chicago for a "loading zone" on Harrison St. three months ago. The bike lane was striped two weeks AFTER we opened our doors. There will be signs put in within the next 18 months. I am not the bad guy here. I am simply trying to run a business. 

R W said:

Sorry, that wasn't clear. They seem to think they have a permit to construct a loading zone in the same spot where the city just striped the bike lane. 

Cheryl said:

Hmm quite sure the ordinance does not provide for "permits" excepting vehicles from compliance ... it does provide for towing and impounding vehicles though....

Permalink Reply by Matt Talbert on August 15, 2014 at 9:30am

+1 David. This seems to be a major miscommunication. 

Brandon, if you can, please clarify whether the loading zone IS the bike lane, or wether they are separate entities.

David Barish said:

This seems unclear. It seems that two legitimate uses are at cross purposes here. I wonder if the powers that be who created both  a loading zone and a bike lane were aware that they created an anomaly or whether two different agencies operating under the umbrella of the city had acted without knowledge of each other. A loading zone makes sense for a school but not in a bike lane. If indeed the city intended for both to exist it would make sense for signs to go up warning cyclists of the loading zone and warning parents of the bikes as well as  perhaps limiting the hours for use of the loading zone to perhaps right around the beginning and ending of the school day. 

Payton school on  Wells abuts a bike lane. I don't recall whether there is an official loading zone but often see cars dropping off kids. There was a cycle fatality there a couple years ago and if I recall a door from a car was what caused the rider to fatally veer into traffic. The consequences of this cross usage are real.

Brendan N said:

R W

The school was approved by the city of Chicago for a "loading zone" on Harrison St. three months ago. The bike lane was striped two weeks AFTER we opened our doors. There will be signs put in within the next 18 months. I am not the bad guy here. I am simply trying to run a business. 

R W said:

Sorry, that wasn't clear. They seem to think they have a permit to construct a loading zone in the same spot where the city just striped the bike lane. 

Cheryl said:

Hmm quite sure the ordinance does not provide for "permits" excepting vehicles from compliance ... it does provide for towing and impounding vehicles though....

Permalink Reply by Rich S on August 15, 2014 at 10:31am

If as presumed is correct that the loading zone will be to the left of the bike lane then there is still a pretty big hazard there. Parents and kids are going to have to cross the bike lane to get to the sidewalk and school building. I always try to be extra cautious around kids since they are liable to sudden hops skips and jumps. I'd be nervous that a young child might suddenly jump out from in between parked cars to cross the bike lane to get to the sidewalk. Goodness gracious enough adults do this aimlessly as it is!  

It seems like the loading zone would be much safer for everyone on the east side of Clark just north of Harrison. Clark is a pretty wide southbound one-way. Most bikers would ride south on the west or right side of Clark. Parents could drop off or pick up their kids on the east or left side of Clark. 

If the loading zone stays on Harrison then cyclists will need some signage to slow down and watch for children. You may want some staff on hand with slow signs during peak periods. Parents will need some education on the bike lane and how to best stay safe. 

Permalink Reply by Davo on August 15, 2014 at 11:01am


That would make too much sense and would involve all these entities talking to each other for a solution.

Rich S said:

…..

It seems like the loading zone would be much safer for everyone on the east side of Clark just north of Harrison. Clark is a pretty wide southbound one-way. Most bikers would ride south on the west or right side of Clark. Parents could drop off or pick up their kids on the east or left side of Clark. 

…….

Permalink Reply by Brendan N on August 15, 2014 at 11:27am

IF we are able to change the loading zone to Clark Street that may be for the best, however I have a strong feeling that will take about 2 years for that paperwork to process. I will speak to the Alderman's Chief of Staff Monday to see what can be worked out.

Permalink Reply by R W on August 15, 2014 at 11:38am

I've been emailing with someone in Robert Fioretti's office today about this issue. Brendan, it appears your business has filed an application for a loading zone, which is still subject to review following a Chicago DOT safety/traffic study. It will still be up to 15 months before a final decision on the loading zone is made, and your application is approved or denied. In the meantime, please remind parents that this area is not a loading zone, as there seems to be confusion on this matter and they will continue to receive tickets from the CPD. 

In the meantime, I strongly support moving the application to request the space on Clark. According to Fioretti's office, you would need to get in touch with whatever business is in the space at that address, as they would need to be part of the discussion. Another possible option would be using the bank parking lot across Harrison, and may be the best option in the short term. 

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