Gabe Klein Predicts a 300-500% Increase in Bike Traffic in Chicago - The Chainlink2024-03-28T13:14:45Zhttps://thechainlink.org/forum/topics/gabe-klein-predicts-a-300-500-increase-in-bike-traffic-in-chicago?commentId=2211490%3AComment%3A570234&x=1&feed=yes&xn_auth=noSpeaking of bike rooms in bui…tag:thechainlink.org,2012-07-17:2211490:Comment:5716792012-07-17T18:06:09.367ZSteven Vancehttps://thechainlink.org/profile/stevevance
<p>Speaking of bike rooms in buildings, I'm still collecting photos and info from people for an upcoming article. I've only had three submissions. <br></br> <br></br> <cite>Anne Alt said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/gabe-klein-predicts-a-300-500-increase-in-bike-traffic-in-chicago?id=2211490%3ATopic%3A570163&page=2#2211490Comment570639"><div><div class="xg_user_generated"><p>If enough Loop office workers ask their bosses and the property management office…</p>
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<p>Speaking of bike rooms in buildings, I'm still collecting photos and info from people for an upcoming article. I've only had three submissions. <br/> <br/> <cite>Anne Alt said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/gabe-klein-predicts-a-300-500-increase-in-bike-traffic-in-chicago?id=2211490%3ATopic%3A570163&page=2#2211490Comment570639"><div><div class="xg_user_generated"><p>If enough Loop office workers ask their bosses and the property management office for secure indoor bike space, it greatly improves the chances of getting it. I've worked in 2 different buildings in the Loop that added indoor bike rooms (locked rooms with keys provided only to those who registered with building management) after strong tenant demand. I know of other buildings that have responded similarly. My current office building also has a bike room.</p>
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</blockquote> Exiting times ahead for cycli…tag:thechainlink.org,2012-07-15:2211490:Comment:5708012012-07-15T18:17:42.898ZJuan 2-3 or more mi.https://thechainlink.org/profile/JohnDominguez
<p>Exiting times ahead for cyclist to motorist and cyclist to cyclist drama.</p>
<p>Exiting times ahead for cyclist to motorist and cyclist to cyclist drama.</p> If enough Loop office workers…tag:thechainlink.org,2012-07-15:2211490:Comment:5706392012-07-15T11:23:36.862ZAnne Althttps://thechainlink.org/profile/Anne91
<p>If enough Loop office workers ask their bosses and the property management office for secure indoor bike space, it greatly improves the chances of getting it. I've worked in 2 different buildings in the Loop that added indoor bike rooms (locked rooms with keys provided only to those who registered with building management) after strong tenant demand. I know of other buildings that have responded similarly. My current office building also has a bike room.</p>
<p>At my previous offices, one…</p>
<p>If enough Loop office workers ask their bosses and the property management office for secure indoor bike space, it greatly improves the chances of getting it. I've worked in 2 different buildings in the Loop that added indoor bike rooms (locked rooms with keys provided only to those who registered with building management) after strong tenant demand. I know of other buildings that have responded similarly. My current office building also has a bike room.</p>
<p>At my previous offices, one bike room was a locked room accessed from the parking garage and the other was created from vacant space on the 5th floor, accessible by freight elevator from the loading dock after signing in with building security and swiping a keycard on the bike room door.</p>
<p>If the building where you work does <em>not</em> have a bike room, they need to know that there's a demand, so they need to hear from you. Do you know other cyclists in the building? Tell them the same thing. Make that demand known, so building management recognizes that there's a real need.</p>
<p><br/> <cite>O said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/gabe-klein-predicts-a-300-500-increase-in-bike-traffic-in-chicago?page=2&commentId=2211490%3AComment%3A570561&x=1#2211490Comment570561"><div><div class="xg_user_generated"><p>Agreed. My direct experience is limited to the bicycle parking along Van Buren between Jackson and Clinton. There is parking under the eave of the building on the north side of the street (where the Starbucks is located). It looks to be pretty much full now. On the street (both sides) the local buildings have contracted with a company to sell parking locations to motorcyclists.</p>
<p>If that population were to reach the kind of growth potential Gabe is predicting for cyclists there would like not be enough spots on the streets for all the motorcycles (despite the fact that they angle in to park) and certainly no automobiles could be accommodated alongside the motorcycles.</p>
<p>The Willis Tower has parking to the south of the building and I believe it requires a monthly fee. It is outdoors so there is no protection provided for the bikes. If more people are to be accommodated in the cycling community I would expect that their expectations would be high enough that buildings would be coaxed into offering indoor parking for those using bicycles.</p>
<p>But how safe and convenient that sort of parking would be if provided today I have no idea. I am guessing that as with most "sea changes" employers are going to be caught off guard until something resembling a ready-made and proven solution is offered.</p>
<p>Those lockable storage containers that appear along the Metra lines here in the suburbs seem a very inviting idea.<br/> <br/> <cite>Anne Alt said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/gabe-klein-predicts-a-300-500-increase-in-bike-traffic-in-chicago?id=2211490%3ATopic%3A570163&page=1#2211490Comment570543"><div><div class="xg_user_generated"><p>We need more bike stations.</p>
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</blockquote> Agreed. My direct experience…tag:thechainlink.org,2012-07-15:2211490:Comment:5705612012-07-15T02:40:13.400ZOhttps://thechainlink.org/profile/EricVann
<p>Agreed. My direct experience is limited to the bicycle parking along Van Buren between Jackson and Clinton. There is parking under the eave of the building on the north side of the street (where the Starbucks is located). It looks to be pretty much full now. On the street (both sides) the local buildings have contracted with a company to sell parking locations to motorcyclists.</p>
<p>If that population were to reach the kind of growth potential Gabe is predicting for cyclists there would…</p>
<p>Agreed. My direct experience is limited to the bicycle parking along Van Buren between Jackson and Clinton. There is parking under the eave of the building on the north side of the street (where the Starbucks is located). It looks to be pretty much full now. On the street (both sides) the local buildings have contracted with a company to sell parking locations to motorcyclists.</p>
<p>If that population were to reach the kind of growth potential Gabe is predicting for cyclists there would like not be enough spots on the streets for all the motorcycles (despite the fact that they angle in to park) and certainly no automobiles could be accommodated alongside the motorcycles.</p>
<p>The Willis Tower has parking to the south of the building and I believe it requires a monthly fee. It is outdoors so there is no protection provided for the bikes. If more people are to be accommodated in the cycling community I would expect that their expectations would be high enough that buildings would be coaxed into offering indoor parking for those using bicycles.</p>
<p>But how safe and convenient that sort of parking would be if provided today I have no idea. I am guessing that as with most "sea changes" employers are going to be caught off guard until something resembling a ready-made and proven solution is offered.</p>
<p>Those lockable storage containers that appear along the Metra lines here in the suburbs seem a very inviting idea.<br/> <br/> <cite>Anne Alt said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/gabe-klein-predicts-a-300-500-increase-in-bike-traffic-in-chicago?id=2211490%3ATopic%3A570163&page=1#2211490Comment570543"><div><div class="xg_user_generated"><p>We need more bike stations.</p>
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</blockquote> mores |ˈmôrˌāz|
pluralnoun
th…tag:thechainlink.org,2012-07-15:2211490:Comment:5706862012-07-15T02:30:47.051ZOhttps://thechainlink.org/profile/EricVann
<blockquote><p><span class="hg"><span class="hw"><strong><span>mo</span>res</strong></span><span class="pr"> |<span class="ph t_respell">ˈmôrˌāz</span>|</span></span></p>
<p><span class="sg"><span class="se1"><span class="posg"><span class="pos"><span class="gp tg_pos"><span>plural</span></span><span class="gp tg_pos"><span>noun…</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p><span class="sg"><span class="se1"><span class="msDict t_core" id="m_en_us1269214.001"></span></span></span></p>
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<blockquote><p><span class="hg"><span class="hw"><strong><span>mo</span>res</strong></span><span class="pr"> |<span class="ph t_respell">ˈmôrˌāz</span>|</span></span></p>
<p><span class="sg"><span class="se1"><span class="posg"><span class="pos"><span class="gp tg_pos"><span>plural</span></span><span class="gp tg_pos"><span>noun</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p><span class="sg"><span class="se1"><span id="m_en_us1269214.001" class="msDict t_core"><span class="df">the <span>essential</span> or characteristic customs and conventions of a<span>community</span><span class="gp tg_df">:</span></span><span class="eg"><span class="ex"> an offense against social mores</span><span class="gp tg_eg">.</span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p><span class="etym"><span class="gp ty_label tg_etym">ORIGIN </span><span class="dg"><span class="date">late 19<span>th</span> cent.</span></span>: from <span class="la">Latin</span>, plural of <span class="ff">mos</span>,<span class="ff"> mor-</span><span class="trans"><span class="gp tg_tr">‘</span>custom<span class="gp tg_tr">.</span><span class="gp tg_tr">’</span></span></span></p>
<p>I agree that bicycle operators should follow the Rules of the Road. But I don't know if I consider their behavior in adhering to those laws a "social more". It seems that a fair number of folks are simply willing to toss out these laws and I guess invite havoc. I am not of that ilk. The sooner that motorists and cyclists reach a mutual understanding of their rights and responsibilities as defined by law the better. At any rate, thanks for your observation. <br/><br/> <cite>Steven Vance said:</cite></p>
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<blockquote cite="http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/gabe-klein-predicts-a-300-500-increase-in-bike-traffic-in-chicago?x=1&id=2211490%3ATopic%3A570163&page=1#2211490Comment570613"><div><div class="xg_user_generated"><p>I don't think bicycle operators should be sharing the road with automobile operators except on roads where the design and laws demand automobiles be driven at or less than the speed of bicycles. </p>
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</blockquote> That sounds like West Forest…tag:thechainlink.org,2012-07-15:2211490:Comment:5706822012-07-15T01:37:12.349ZOhttps://thechainlink.org/profile/EricVann
<p>That sounds like West Forest Preserve Drive? And yes riders do travel along its length rapidly. Our club uses it regularly for excursions into the city because it is wide enough to easily accommodate cyclists alongside impatient motorists.</p>
<p>What might surprise a lot of Midwestern cyclists is that touring cyclists in the west are actually allowed to pedal along highways which in this area would probably be verboten.</p>
<p><br></br> <cite>Joe Lyons said:…</cite></p>
<p>That sounds like West Forest Preserve Drive? And yes riders do travel along its length rapidly. Our club uses it regularly for excursions into the city because it is wide enough to easily accommodate cyclists alongside impatient motorists.</p>
<p>What might surprise a lot of Midwestern cyclists is that touring cyclists in the west are actually allowed to pedal along highways which in this area would probably be verboten.</p>
<p><br/> <cite>Joe Lyons said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/gabe-klein-predicts-a-300-500-increase-in-bike-traffic-in-chicago?page=1&commentId=2211490%3AComment%3A570673&x=1#2211490Comment570673"><div><div class="xg_user_generated"><p>The key would be the "design" of the road. I was on a four lane in the suburbs today that goes straight through the forest preserves. It is posted 30, but the drivers read the sign as: "Go as fast as you can before you get to the next light."<cite><br/></cite></p>
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</blockquote> The key would be the "design"…tag:thechainlink.org,2012-07-14:2211490:Comment:5706732012-07-14T23:00:33.072ZJoe Lyonshttps://thechainlink.org/profile/JoeLyons
<p>The key would be the "design" of the road. I was on a four lane in the suburbs today that goes straight through the forest preserves. It is posted 30, but the drivers read the sign as: "Go as fast as you can before you get to the next light."<br></br> <br></br> <cite>Steven Vance said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/gabe-klein-predicts-a-300-500-increase-in-bike-traffic-in-chicago#2211490Comment570613"><div><div class="xg_user_generated"><p>I don't think…</p>
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<p>The key would be the "design" of the road. I was on a four lane in the suburbs today that goes straight through the forest preserves. It is posted 30, but the drivers read the sign as: "Go as fast as you can before you get to the next light."<br/> <br/> <cite>Steven Vance said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/gabe-klein-predicts-a-300-500-increase-in-bike-traffic-in-chicago#2211490Comment570613"><div><div class="xg_user_generated"><p>I don't think bicycle operators should be sharing the road with automobile operators except on roads where the design and laws demand automobiles be driven at or less than the speed of bicycles. </p>
<p><br/> <cite>O said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/gabe-klein-predicts-a-300-500-increase-in-bike-traffic-in-chicago?page=1&commentId=2211490%3AComment%3A570543&x=1#2211490Comment570368"><div><div class="xg_user_generated"><p>Different "mores"? If the same basic set of laws govern motorized vehicles and bicycles then there should have always been some "understanding" between these two groups. I wonder if trying to claim a distinction between them is not problematic. If the common wisdom is that these two modes of transportation require different "mores" to be understood properly, then it begs the question why place them on roadways with "shared" lanes?</p>
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</blockquote> I don't think bicycle operato…tag:thechainlink.org,2012-07-14:2211490:Comment:5706132012-07-14T22:33:01.889ZSteven Vancehttps://thechainlink.org/profile/stevevance
<p>I don't think bicycle operators should be sharing the road with automobile operators except on roads where the design and laws demand automobiles be driven at or less than the speed of bicycles. </p>
<p><br></br> <cite>O said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/gabe-klein-predicts-a-300-500-increase-in-bike-traffic-in-chicago?page=1&commentId=2211490%3AComment%3A570543&x=1#2211490Comment570368"><div><div class="xg_user_generated"><p>Different "mores"?…</p>
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<p>I don't think bicycle operators should be sharing the road with automobile operators except on roads where the design and laws demand automobiles be driven at or less than the speed of bicycles. </p>
<p><br/> <cite>O said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/gabe-klein-predicts-a-300-500-increase-in-bike-traffic-in-chicago?page=1&commentId=2211490%3AComment%3A570543&x=1#2211490Comment570368"><div><div class="xg_user_generated"><p>Different "mores"? If the same basic set of laws govern motorized vehicles and bicycles then there should have always been some "understanding" between these two groups. I wonder if trying to claim a distinction between them is not problematic. If the common wisdom is that these two modes of transportation require different "mores" to be understood properly, then it begs the question why place them on roadways with "shared" lanes?</p>
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</blockquote> We need more bike stations. …tag:thechainlink.org,2012-07-14:2211490:Comment:5705432012-07-14T19:00:48.081ZAnne Althttps://thechainlink.org/profile/Anne91
<p>We need more bike stations. There's been talk for years about adding one in the West Loop (possibly in or near Union Station). Any of us who spend time in the south end of the Loop know that bike parking demand there (anywhere near the Board of Trade) greatly exceeds supply. I'd love it if we could get a bike station near each corner of the Loop - something with at least 200 bike parking spaces. Now THAT would really boost commuting ridership.<br></br> <br></br> <cite>O…</cite></p>
<p>We need more bike stations. There's been talk for years about adding one in the West Loop (possibly in or near Union Station). Any of us who spend time in the south end of the Loop know that bike parking demand there (anywhere near the Board of Trade) greatly exceeds supply. I'd love it if we could get a bike station near each corner of the Loop - something with at least 200 bike parking spaces. Now THAT would really boost commuting ridership.<br/> <br/> <cite>O said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/gabe-klein-predicts-a-300-500-increase-in-bike-traffic-in-chicago?page=1&commentId=2211490%3AComment%3A570596&x=1#2211490Comment570437"><div><div class="xg_user_generated"><p>I failed to mention the other big issue that is going to test the ridership of cyclists and that is "end of travel accommodations". For instance when you reach your destination (assuming that there is not a significant increase in folding bike use, that I am pushing for) you are going to have 3-5X as many folks looking for a place to lock up their bikes.</p>
<p>That is going to mean that in front of building (or somewhere outside) the number and size of racks will need to balloon. This will mean some serious thinking on the part of building and city planners to figure out where all these riders bikes can go. In some European cities they actually have floating barges that serve as parking facilities for riders.</p>
<p>But the couple of web masters with whom I regularly communicate indicate that bicycle theft has become a fairly substantial problem as a result of the increasing numbers of riders. And that despite the barges it ends up being a situation which requires bicyclists to become pedestrians for the final remainders of their journey.</p>
<p>Is our system of mixed mode transportation ready for 3-5x the number of riders who will be</p>
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<li>contending for racks on the front of buses</li>
<li>vying for seats on trains for the ride into and away from the city (rides in which they board their bikes)</li>
<li>can our current bike parking facilities really handle this sort of increase in ridership and provide adequate showering and dressing room space for that many more people</li>
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<p>In those areas of the city where there really is not enough space to park bikes outside and still leave the front of the building cleared according to anti-terrorism protocol it will probably mean having to pay for underground in indoor parking. That is going to be an issue for some who have found the current FREE parking situation suitable to their pocketbooks but suddenly the increasing numbers mean that monies they had been saving are now being bled from them for parking and valet services that did not exist before.</p>
<p>Admittedly a parking and valet service would be cool, but it won't come cheap. And it most certainly won't always be as convenient as pulling up to the front of your office and finding that usual light post to hitch to.</p>
<p>It may suddenly be a situation where contention for precious resources makes competitors out of allies.</p>
<p>And even if the city and the private sector provide the needed infrastructure for all of this my guess is that it will come at some price (i.e. financial). That is certainly the case with parking in the city. Only those with jobs can park inside the buildings where the costs are steep but the convenience is quite high.<br/> <cite>Anne Alt said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/gabe-klein-predicts-a-300-500-increase-in-bike-traffic-in-chicago?page=1&commentId=2211490%3AComment%3A570371&x=1#2211490Comment570371"><div><div class="xg_user_generated"><p><em>I think there will definitely be a learning curve - figuring how to solve the passing problem in various locations. THere are plenty of folks who are content to move at Dutch bike speeds (slow), but there will always be some who want to go faster, regardless of what the other cyclists are doing.</em></p>
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</blockquote> Brilliant solution to the bik…tag:thechainlink.org,2012-07-14:2211490:Comment:5705962012-07-14T17:28:10.642Zh' Zerocatshttps://thechainlink.org/profile/H3N3
<p>Brilliant solution to the bike parking problem!</p>
<p>Maybe someday we'll have multiple bike lanes, and single occupancy bikes will be banned from the express lane.<br></br> <br></br> <cite>Duppie said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/gabe-klein-predicts-a-300-500-increase-in-bike-traffic-in-chicago?page=1&commentId=2211490%3AComment%3A570257&x=1#2211490Comment570257"><div><div class="xg_user_generated"><p>Apparently the the writer thinks that Chicago…</p>
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<p>Brilliant solution to the bike parking problem!</p>
<p>Maybe someday we'll have multiple bike lanes, and single occupancy bikes will be banned from the express lane.<br/> <br/> <cite>Duppie said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/gabe-klein-predicts-a-300-500-increase-in-bike-traffic-in-chicago?page=1&commentId=2211490%3AComment%3A570257&x=1#2211490Comment570257"><div><div class="xg_user_generated"><p>Apparently the the writer thinks that Chicago is getting some really heavy duty bikes that can carry 3-5 people each:</p>
<p>“I think we can accomplish three times to five times bike loadshare easily,” said Gabe Klein, commissioner of the Chicago Department of Transportation, <em>meaning bicycles can carry three to five times as many Chicagoans as they now do.</em></p>
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