The Chainlink

Citizen vs City on the Bike Lane

This morning I was meeting some people for work at the McDonalds at 6100 N. Milwaukee.  This is at the "other" intersection of Milwaukee and Elston on the far northwest side of the city.  As we're sitting, a Water Management sewer evactor truck parks out front in the bike lane.

This is a really bad place to park in a bike lane because riders and drivers are coming around a curve at this point.  A rider is forced into the "car lane", and a speeding car coming around the curve might not react in time.

The three in the evactor startled and took off when they saw me snapping pictures.  I drove to our worksite, but returned to the same intersection ten minutes later, where there were three Streets and Sanitation garbage trucks lined up in the spot of the bike lane, eating their McD's.

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Permalink Reply by Tom Z on April 29, 2013 at 11:36am

The Peoples Gas truck is actually parked before the McD entrance.  That area should never be used for parking! It puts even the smallest vehicles in the right lane of traffic...

I agree about the sign being faded and the fact that it isn't clear that this is a bike lane. There should be a better way to paint the bike lane at this point. Also, that "No Parking" sign should be replaced and enforced.

Permalink Reply by Juan Primo on April 29, 2013 at 6:05pm

Here is how it looks without trucks:

The Bike Lane sign is really clear, and if you miss that, the yellow curb should tell you something.  It doesn't really look like a legit place.

And if a truck and trailer park in a bike lane because they can't fit in the parking lot, is it their problem or yours.  Answer:  Yours.



Apie (10.6) said:

I just drove (GASP!) by this area and I swear it looks like a legit place to park.  First of all, the "bike lane" is the same width as it would be for curbside parking, so I'm not convinced that it is a real bike lane right after the McD'd entrance.  Second, there is no way for any truck to park in the Mc'd lot, it is way too small to manuever anything larger than a van.  I see the No Parking sign in your pic, but that is obviously faded beyond recognition.  Also, the pics are deceiving, in one there is def room for car, in the other, it is narrowed and obviously a bike lane.

I am the LAST person to take a cagers side, but I just can't get upset about this certain bend of Milwaukee.  Correct me if im wrong, but I think I even noticed sharrows outside of the lane right at the bend.

Permalink Reply by Tom Z on April 29, 2013 at 6:56pm

And if a truck and trailer park in a bike lane because they can't fit in the parking lot, is it their problem or yours.  Answer:  Yours.

I would say it's actually McDs problem. They built a parking lot that can not be used by their customer.

The problem with a truck parking there is it does causes issues with the somewhat blind curve from the northbound Milwaukee traffic.

Permalink Reply by Jason on April 30, 2013 at 8:39am

ehhhh, I normally give people in work trucks a pass.  They are just trying to do their job.  

People in cars have to drive around object all day, why should cyclist not expect to do the same?

Permalink Reply by Tom Z on April 30, 2013 at 10:41am

But, They're not working. I understand if there is a job going on and the vehicles need to block the road. The problem is in this situation they could have parked less than a block south on Elston where there is all kinds of parking and not blocked the bike lane or traffic lane. It's the price you have to pay if your using a larger vehicle.

Jason said:

ehhhh, I normally give people in work trucks a pass.  They are just trying to do their job.  

People in cars have to drive around object all day, why should cyclist not expect to do the same?

Permalink Reply by Juan Primo on April 30, 2013 at 11:13am

Today's work trucks, just doing their jobs.

I figure this is located in Joe Arena's 45th ward.  When I have time tonite I'll send pictures to the ward email.  I have low expectations of sending something to ward45@cityofchicago.org, but I hope to be nicely surprised. 

Permalink Reply by Jason on April 30, 2013 at 11:19am

When I said "They are just trying to do their job" I had in mind that most people are lazy.

Im not saying its an inconvenience, but I bet its also a paid parking those trucks.

Permalink Reply by Tom Z on April 30, 2013 at 12:04pm

I forgot to add... When large trucks are parked in that spot, it makes it very difficult as a car driver to pull out of the lot. You just can't see the northbound traffic that easily.

So, all around it's bad to be parked in those spots!

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