All Discussions Tagged 'street' - The Chainlink2024-03-29T14:20:17Zhttps://thechainlink.org/forum/topic/listForTag?tag=street&feed=yes&xn_auth=noWhat's your favorite route? An experience on the back streetstag:thechainlink.org,2019-06-20:2211490:Topic:11246022019-06-20T17:29:22.616ZDavid S.https://thechainlink.org/profile/DavidS734
<p>In the past year of living in Chicago, I've biked about eight miles (sixteen round-trip) on an almost daily basis for school and work. In this time, I've experimented with a number of different routes, taking back streets, main roads, bike paths (for example, Chicago's 606 and Lakefront Trails), and even a few sidewalks - although I've since learned this is a punishable offense! (One sidewalk route included a brief 1,400-foot / 430-meter mosey along Western Avenue's sidewalks as it crosses…</p>
<p>In the past year of living in Chicago, I've biked about eight miles (sixteen round-trip) on an almost daily basis for school and work. In this time, I've experimented with a number of different routes, taking back streets, main roads, bike paths (for example, Chicago's 606 and Lakefront Trails), and even a few sidewalks - although I've since learned this is a punishable offense! (One sidewalk route included a brief 1,400-foot / 430-meter mosey along Western Avenue's sidewalks as it crosses under the I-90 Interstate, from Schubert Avenue to Altgeld Street). I'd like to share my experience of riding on back streets in the city of Chicago. In the last year of my riding here in Chicago, I've learned that just because a street has a bike lane does not mean that it is the most preferred street to bike on. It's taken time to come to this conclusion, and it is only an opinion, so it could change without notice.</p>
<p>Here is my present route (takes back streets, see below): <a href="https://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/2560759195">https://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/2560759195</a>.</p>
<p>Here is one of the fastest routes (takes main streets): <a href="https://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/2560777183">https://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/2560777183</a>.</p>
<p>The method for routing which I am presently using is to find small streets through residential areas, streets which are purposely made to be "slow" driving ("back streets"), and then link these back streets together to make a "back route". Main routes, on the other hand, are usually direct connections between places but are highly trafficked. In my present route, there are only a few places where main routes are necessary, in particular one section of the trip where it is required to cross a river and interstate in one fell swoop. What a doozy! (In the part of the city where I bike, rivers and interstates are almost always only navigable via highly trafficked main streets and bridges.)</p>
<p>How to describe riding on a "back street" versus riding on a main road? A back street has low traffic volume. In my area of the city, many back streets have speed bumps and stop signs on every block. In urban planning-speak, this is referred to as traffic calming. On the other hand, main roads typically have stop lights and an endless flow of traffic. Main roads are meant to be major thoroughfares, with the goal of allowing and even ensuring an endless stream of traffic. On the other hand, back streets are meant to have reduced traffic, with traffic never passing through an area but always coming back to or leaving from some place. On back streets the cars go about the same speed as the bikes and they frequently pass each other (cars pass bikes, bikes pass cars). On the main streets, cars usually travel two or three times the speed of bikes and many cars are passing a bike in short intervals. The difference between pollution (noise and exhaust) on the two types of streets is plainly apparent. On back streets, the majority of time is spent without other vehicles, admiring the houses, parks and schools, the birds, greenery, fresh air, subtle noises of a quiet but typically densely populated space, hidden factories and industrial centers, vast expanses of parking lot. There are lonesome train bridges, flower pots, bars and restaurants patios filled with laughter and friendly chatter, chimneys to smell and parkas and other snow gear to hail in the winter. On the main streets, the majority of time is spent listening to engine-after-engine blare out in distress, being behind pickups and trucks spewing out black clouds of exhaust, feeling the whoosh of air as cars speed by, eyes batting about for danger points of pedestrians walking into the street, car doors opening, bad drivers, crowded intersections, potholes and road detritus. There are no birds chirping on the main streets, no flowers blooming, no trees providing shade, no kids playing in schoolyards, no dogs being walked, no families out on strolls - no quiet and solitude.</p>
<p>The back streets are not car thoroughfares, and for good reason - they go through neighborhoods with children playing, past schools and parks, and residential buildings meant to be quiet and secluded. On the other hand, main car thoroughfares are typically loud, highly trafficked, and have much higher exhaust and noise pollution.</p>
<p>But this is just an immediate view of the situation after one year in Chicago. I imagine there are many differing views on routes - mine have changed significantly within only a one-year period.</p>
<p>One final thought on dedicated bike highways and bike paths. These are completely separated from roadways. Typically they go through nature preserves, along lakefronts, or as replacements for abandoned elevated rail lines. These are excellent modes of transit and should be adopted widescale in cities. It is very easy to imagine a dedicated "bike highway", as I like to call them (as they allow very high biking speeds due to completely open road and no obstacles), every couple of blocks in cities. It ought to be an imperative in cities to provide bike highways traversing the entire city in a grid pattern, making it possible to within minutes find and easily hop on a highway to quickly and quietly get close to any destination in quick fashion.</p>
<p>What's your route?</p> Great news! Kinzie Street's protected bike lane will stay in place.tag:thechainlink.org,2015-09-02:2211490:Topic:9417302015-09-02T16:00:22.623ZYasmeenhttps://thechainlink.org/profile/YasmeenSchuller
<p>"CDOT & Reilly Reach a Consensus on Kinzie: The Protected Lanes Will Remain"</p>
<p></p>
<p>Full story at Chicago Streetsblog:</p>
<p><a href="http://chi.streetsblog.org/2015/09/01/cdot-reilly-reach-a-consensus-on-kinzie-the-protected-lanes-will-remain/" target="_blank">http://chi.streetsblog.org/2015/09/01/cdot-reilly-reach-a-consensus-on-kinzie-the-protected-lanes-will-remain/</a></p>
<p>"CDOT & Reilly Reach a Consensus on Kinzie: The Protected Lanes Will Remain"</p>
<p></p>
<p>Full story at Chicago Streetsblog:</p>
<p><a href="http://chi.streetsblog.org/2015/09/01/cdot-reilly-reach-a-consensus-on-kinzie-the-protected-lanes-will-remain/" target="_blank">http://chi.streetsblog.org/2015/09/01/cdot-reilly-reach-a-consensus-on-kinzie-the-protected-lanes-will-remain/</a></p> Open Street Fest Without Cars - Chicago Isn't Listedtag:thechainlink.org,2014-04-04:2211490:Topic:8100032014-04-04T18:11:16.493ZdaWillinChihttps://thechainlink.org/profile/JustWill
<p><a href="http://bit.ly/1jbqYhi">http://bit.ly/1jbqYhi</a></p>
<p></p>
<p>Chicago didn't make the list for Bike the Drive, because that is a paid event.</p>
<p><a href="http://bit.ly/1jbqYhi">http://bit.ly/1jbqYhi</a></p>
<p></p>
<p>Chicago didn't make the list for Bike the Drive, because that is a paid event.</p> I want to buy a bike-themed vinyl street bannertag:thechainlink.org,2014-03-12:2211490:Topic:8029812014-03-12T23:58:46.778Zyaj 7.4https://thechainlink.org/profile/yaj
<p>I want to buy a bike-themed vinyl street banner.</p>
<p>You know, those heavy duty banners they hang from street lights? </p>
<p>I want it to have a bike theme, such as Bike Chicago, Bike the Drive or a race or something. </p>
<p>Does anyone have one rolled up somewhere they’d like to sell me? Or know where I can buy one? </p>
<p>I want to buy a bike-themed vinyl street banner.</p>
<p>You know, those heavy duty banners they hang from street lights? </p>
<p>I want it to have a bike theme, such as Bike Chicago, Bike the Drive or a race or something. </p>
<p>Does anyone have one rolled up somewhere they’d like to sell me? Or know where I can buy one? </p> move along.tag:thechainlink.org,2013-03-19:2211490:Topic:6581632013-03-19T01:03:15.698Zzerofiveneinhttps://thechainlink.org/profile/GabrielRobinson
<p>nothing to see here.</p>
<p>nothing to see here.</p> Specialized Street Stomper (20" frame) - SOLDtag:thechainlink.org,2013-02-24:2211490:Topic:6500912013-02-24T23:13:36.568Zspencewinehttps://thechainlink.org/profile/spencewine
<p>SOLD</p>
<p> </p>
<p>20" Specialized Street Stomper</p>
<p></p>
<p>What the heck is a Street Stomper you ask? Well, it is something of a unique bird, apparently. It was produced by Specialized for 1 or 2 years in the late 80's - I'm pretty sure this is a 1987. The bike itself is a hybrid - A mountain bike that was made for urban riding. It would make an awesome commuter (double eyelets front and back for rack and fender mounts, plenty of clearance).</p>
<p></p>
<p>Here are the…</p>
<p>SOLD</p>
<p> </p>
<p>20" Specialized Street Stomper</p>
<p></p>
<p>What the heck is a Street Stomper you ask? Well, it is something of a unique bird, apparently. It was produced by Specialized for 1 or 2 years in the late 80's - I'm pretty sure this is a 1987. The bike itself is a hybrid - A mountain bike that was made for urban riding. It would make an awesome commuter (double eyelets front and back for rack and fender mounts, plenty of clearance).</p>
<p></p>
<p>Here are the specs:</p>
<p>Shimano S.I.S. Front/Rear Derailleur</p>
<p>18 speed (triple front/6spd back)</p>
<p>Dia-compe canti's</p>
<p>Selle Italia saddle</p>
<p>Sugino cranks (Triple)</p>
<p>26" tires</p>
<p>20" frame</p>
<p></p>
<p>Physical condition (pics attached):</p>
<p>The condition is excellent; It has been garage stored its entire life. The frame has a couple of dings, but other than that it looks to be in very good condition. The bike was given to me by a friend, but the frame is too small, so it goes up for sale here first, CL next. </p>
<p></p>
<p>Riding condition:</p>
<p>I have done no work to the bike other than greasing the seat post and the stem (neither are seized obviously), pedals, and put on a new chain. It shifts to all gears without any hang-up. Tires are not the original ones, but they look old. I put air in them and it holds. IMO, If you're going to commute on this, I would suggest some slicks rather than the knobby MTB tires.</p>
<p><br/> Asking $175. For a viewing, I live in West Town/Noble Square.</p>
<p></p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/96805340?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" class="align-left" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/96805340?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750"/></a><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/96805419?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/96805419?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750"/></a></p>
<p></p>
<p></p> Bicycle-powered Street Team Wanted by Everything Is Terrible!tag:thechainlink.org,2012-01-18:2211490:Topic:5034722012-01-18T20:03:10.150ZAaron Maierhttps://thechainlink.org/profile/AaronMaier
<p>Greetings gnarled wheelsmen and wheelswomen of the Windycitee. We are premiering our third <a href="http://www.everythingisterrible.com" target="_blank">Everything Is Terrible!</a> movie,<a target="_blank">DoggieWoggiez!PoochieWoochiez!</a>, at <a href="http://www.facebook.com/events/282573755122907/" target="_blank">Lincoln Hall on Friday, January 27</a>. If anybody would like to hang posters for us as your ride about the city we will gladly reward you with a free ticket to the show. Email…</p>
<p>Greetings gnarled wheelsmen and wheelswomen of the Windycitee. We are premiering our third <a href="http://www.everythingisterrible.com" target="_blank">Everything Is Terrible!</a> movie,<a target="_blank">DoggieWoggiez!PoochieWoochiez!</a>, at <a href="http://www.facebook.com/events/282573755122907/" target="_blank">Lincoln Hall on Friday, January 27</a>. If anybody would like to hang posters for us as your ride about the city we will gladly reward you with a free ticket to the show. Email us at whatsupeit@gmail.com if you are into it! Keep cycling - I know it's Ruff! out there!</p> de-icing/salting oak street curvetag:thechainlink.org,2012-01-03:2211490:Topic:4979852012-01-03T17:55:08.925ZDirkehttps://thechainlink.org/profile/Dirke
<p>Does anyone know whom to call to attempt to get the path salted at the Oak Street Curve?</p>
<p> It's annoying that I ride the entire north branch of the path and spend a disproportionately long amount of time traversing 150 yards of ice at the curve. </p>
<p>Today was my first time back to work and this is my first year taking that route daily so I'm not familiar with how often that section is iced over. It seems to me it's a lawsuit waiting to happen as it is ice from the lake all the way…</p>
<p>Does anyone know whom to call to attempt to get the path salted at the Oak Street Curve?</p>
<p> It's annoying that I ride the entire north branch of the path and spend a disproportionately long amount of time traversing 150 yards of ice at the curve. </p>
<p>Today was my first time back to work and this is my first year taking that route daily so I'm not familiar with how often that section is iced over. It seems to me it's a lawsuit waiting to happen as it is ice from the lake all the way to the inner wall at the roadway. With the sloping grade and the smoothness of the ice, I don't think it's inconceivable that someone could slip and fall and slide all the way into the lake.</p>
<p>I understand that most "sane" people wouldn't ride in this weather so my complaint only has so much room to run/ride, but I have no problem with the cold, just the ice. As Rahm and Gabe are publicly promoting bicycling as transportation in Chicago, shouldn't the crown jewel of a transportation thoroughfare be made navigable, if even with typical half-assery?</p>
<p>I would like to see concrete, highway construction barriers put in temporarily along that curve at the line separating the concrete near the lake from the newly repaved asphalt. Even if that didn't prevent all the water from splashing up and forming the ice on the path, it would provide a physical barrier to hit before falling into the lake if one were to slip and fall.</p>
<p></p>
<p>In the city that works, with a Streets and Sanitation department with a thirst for overtime, am I unrealistic in thinking that this should be and easy and obvious fix?</p> a way to reduce broken glass (sign petition, please)tag:thechainlink.org,2012-01-02:2211490:Topic:4974032012-01-02T13:27:09.483ZAnne Althttps://thechainlink.org/profile/Anne91
<p>Do you you think this is worth a try? If so, <a href="http://www.change.org/petitions/state-of-illinois-create-a-glass-bottle-deposit-program" target="_blank">please sign this petition</a> asking the state of Illinois to create a bottle deposit program so there's a financial incentive to recycle glass.</p>
<p>Do you you think this is worth a try? If so, <a href="http://www.change.org/petitions/state-of-illinois-create-a-glass-bottle-deposit-program" target="_blank">please sign this petition</a> asking the state of Illinois to create a bottle deposit program so there's a financial incentive to recycle glass.</p> Occupy Chicagotag:thechainlink.org,2011-09-29:2211490:Topic:4602812011-09-29T14:41:01.675ZJera Suehttps://thechainlink.org/profile/JeraSue
<p>Apparently the "<a href="http://newsfeed.time.com/2011/09/29/occupy-wall-street-12-days-and-little-sign-of-slowing-down/" target="_blank">Occupy Wall St</a>" movement has spread.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Anyone want to ride/stop by Willis Tower tomorrow night? Who knows... this just may be history in the making.</p>
<p> …</p>
<p></p>
<p>Apparently the "<a target="_blank" href="http://newsfeed.time.com/2011/09/29/occupy-wall-street-12-days-and-little-sign-of-slowing-down/">Occupy Wall St</a>" movement has spread.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Anyone want to ride/stop by Willis Tower tomorrow night? Who knows... this just may be history in the making.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><a href="http://www.rawstory.com/rawreplay/2011/09/occupy-chicago-protest-enters-fifth-day/">http://www.rawstory.com/rawreplay/2011/09/occupy-chicago-protest-enters-fifth-day/</a></p>
<p> </p>
<p>Man, I'm itchy for some change. Would be nice if the movement had a couple cohesive messages; some actual solid demands. I suppose "change is really necessary" is okay for now.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>And from the looks of it, the crowd could probably really need that good ol' CCM energy. Well, without the part where we wreck stuff. Not that part. I mean the jovial part. It's a PEACEFUL protest :)</p>