The Chainlink

Are Bicycle Lanes really SAFE for bicycle riders?

I rode northbound on Wells Street until I arrived at the new Bike Lane, just north of the Merchandise Mart, and I wanted to ride west bound on Kinzie. At the same time, an old Lady with her car was trying to pull into the Bike Lane as I was making my west bound turn! I had to stop, got off my bicycle and tell the woman that she was trying to pull into a "Bike Lane"!, which was clearly shown and indicated with all the Signs in the World for anyone to SEE, except for her Blindness or Stupidy! I can't figure out which one it was? Was she Blind or Stupid? Needless to say, I feel amazed that there are people riding 2 tons vehicles in our City who are still Clueless about the new regulations about the City Ordinance about Bicycle Riders and their Protected Lanes!!! A few weeks earlier a Cab Driver on Roosevelt Road and Ashland occupied my Bike Lane and forced me out of it because he was in a hurry to pick-up a Fare down the Street! Such scum and we have to live with them on these white line night mares!  Steve 

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Permalink Reply by Lanterne Rouge on January 30, 2012 at 10:02pm

Nothing is 100% safe. I do magically feel better about having a painted strip next to me, though.

For what it's worth, I've never ONCE had a commute or ride where a taxi or somebody was NOT in the bike lane. I totally expect to see a delivery truck/car/taxi hanging out. It's easy enough in most instances to just signal and take the lane.

Permalink Reply by Ride it like you stole it on January 31, 2012 at 12:27am

Bike lanes are a false sense of security. I think we all know and can agree to that for the most part. You should ride in them as you were riding with traffic. Alert, aware, and out of the door zone.

Permalink Reply by Jeremy on January 31, 2012 at 8:48am

"Ride like you would in traffic" is good advice no matter where you're riding but I'd still rather have a white line on the pavement vs sharrows, and a protected bike lane vs a painted white line.  The extra level of separation doesn't mean you can stop thinking but it's easier to concentrate with the added peace of mind.

Permalink Reply by blair on January 31, 2012 at 10:21am

I ride in the Kinzie lane usually twice/day and unfortunately, what you experienced isn't uncommon.  At least once/week, I see a car attempt to drive into it or a box truck parked in it.  I've been told "Today's it's MY lane!" and "Get on the sidewalk!".

I think it's great that the infrastructure is changing in this city, but motorists aren't really educated on how to share the road with cyclists.  In my opinion, questions about bike lanes, the 3-feet rule, etc. should be included on driving tests.

I generally feel more safe when riding in it compared to a shared lane with cars, but you still have to be alert and prepared for anything.

Permalink Reply by blair on January 31, 2012 at 10:50am

Aggressive drivers are not justified by the cost of a car or the addition of more bike lanes.  Ever.

Daniel G said:

At the very least they grant bicycles legitimacy on a particular road even in the eyes of your more belligerent reactionary motorist. The stripe conveys and signifies state support of cycling. Sometimes it works, and sometimes it doesn't. Conflicts between drivers (especially professional drivers) and cyclists will continue to occur as the tug-of-war continues. The motorist is feeling the heat, as his fuel and financing costs rise and rise. At the same time, state support of motoring has finally peaked and is beginning to wane. Drivers are losing their space on the road, and you can't expect them all to be peaceful about it.

Permalink Reply by h' Zerocats on January 31, 2012 at 12:24pm

I think LIB worked for this and won a decade or so ago.

Can anyone confirm from recent experience that there are still bicycle-related questions on the test? 

122782_ said:

 In my opinion, questions about bike lanes, the 3-feet rule, etc. should be included on driving tests.

Permalink Reply by h' Zerocats on January 31, 2012 at 12:24pm

Good thoughts Daniel, thanks.

Daniel G said:

At the very least they grant bicycles legitimacy on a particular road even in the eyes of your more belligerent reactionary motorist. The stripe conveys and signifies state support of cycling. Sometimes it works, and sometimes it doesn't. Conflicts between drivers (especially professional drivers) and cyclists will continue to occur as the tug-of-war continues. The motorist is feeling the heat, as his fuel and financing costs rise and rise. At the same time, state support of motoring has finally peaked and is beginning to wane. Drivers are losing their space on the road, and you can't expect them all to be peaceful about it.

Permalink Reply by John Wirtz on January 31, 2012 at 6:39pm

Why are you riding northbound on Wells at Kinzie?  Wells is one-way southbound.

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