Humboldt Drive traffic test begins in August - The Chainlink2024-03-29T11:37:29Zhttps://thechainlink.org/forum/topics/humboldt-drive-traffic-test?commentId=2211490%3AComment%3A239031&feed=yes&xn_auth=noHere is the link to a survey…tag:thechainlink.org,2010-10-01:2211490:Comment:2434542010-10-01T23:15:33.018ZAsh L.https://thechainlink.org/profile/AshLottes
Here is the link to a survey post out by Ald. Maldonado regarding the calming project. PLEASE take a moment to voice your opinion and forward it on to as many people as possible. This road is currently unsafe for pedestrians and cyclists and this is our chance to have an impact on what the future of the road will look like. Humboldt can be a true bike boulevard with your help.<br />
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<a href="http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/CQF8VJN" target="_blank">http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/CQF8VJN</a>
Here is the link to a survey post out by Ald. Maldonado regarding the calming project. PLEASE take a moment to voice your opinion and forward it on to as many people as possible. This road is currently unsafe for pedestrians and cyclists and this is our chance to have an impact on what the future of the road will look like. Humboldt can be a true bike boulevard with your help.<br />
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<a href="http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/CQF8VJN" target="_blank">http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/CQF8VJN</a> That would be outstanding.
M…tag:thechainlink.org,2010-09-21:2211490:Comment:2390642010-09-21T19:34:10.248ZAnne Althttps://thechainlink.org/profile/Anne91
That would be outstanding.<br />
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<cite>Mark said:</cite><blockquote cite="http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/humboldt-drive-traffic-test#2211490Comment227291"><div>I hope the plan would also include bike lanes, utilizing the space gained from going from 4 driving lanes to 3. CDOT is doing this on Lawrence Avenue between Western and Ashland, and I would like to see other streets such as the 4-lane parts of Broadway and Sheridan get this 3-lane + bike lanes make-over.</div>
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That would be outstanding.<br />
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<cite>Mark said:</cite><blockquote cite="http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/humboldt-drive-traffic-test#2211490Comment227291"><div>I hope the plan would also include bike lanes, utilizing the space gained from going from 4 driving lanes to 3. CDOT is doing this on Lawrence Avenue between Western and Ashland, and I would like to see other streets such as the 4-lane parts of Broadway and Sheridan get this 3-lane + bike lanes make-over.</div>
</blockquote> I am so glad this is a test.…tag:thechainlink.org,2010-09-21:2211490:Comment:2390552010-09-21T19:07:20.537ZGinhttps://thechainlink.org/profile/Gin
I am so glad this is a test. It's a great chance for us to get more organized and influence the design process. Thanks, Ash, for engaging the Alderman. Let's get him out on a bike ride!<br />
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A couple of thoughts:<br />
There is no reason high speed traffic--probably higher than on other stretches of that road -- should bisect the park. It's almost like a freeway.<br />
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It's not easy to get from the east side of the park to the west. Sure, there is the bridge underpass, but it is convoluted and it's only one…
I am so glad this is a test. It's a great chance for us to get more organized and influence the design process. Thanks, Ash, for engaging the Alderman. Let's get him out on a bike ride!<br />
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A couple of thoughts:<br />
There is no reason high speed traffic--probably higher than on other stretches of that road -- should bisect the park. It's almost like a freeway.<br />
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It's not easy to get from the east side of the park to the west. Sure, there is the bridge underpass, but it is convoluted and it's only one spot anyway. For example, it's very difficult to cross the blvd in front of the garden, even though a path, without a curb cut, beckons on the other side. We bike our kid across that point every day to get to school. It's the tensest part of our commute.<br />
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Cyclists should be able to use Sacramento/Humboldt as a north/south corridor through the park. If anything, it is more important to have that option as the other direct north/south travel options are two blocks on either side (Kedzie and California, and Kedzie is not all the great either)<br />
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But take the paths or the ring roads, you might say. . . . I do that sometimes. But 1) In winter, the paths are not always viable and 2) with the ring road you are more than likely going to need to cross the blvd anyway, which brings us back to the first point.<br />
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There are cheap design alternatives to the existing cross section that would better meet the needs of peds and bikers while possibly even improving conditions for motorists. I think a road diet could be perfect with a ped refuge and a center turn lane at some key spots to allow for turning onto the internal road system. The ped refuges would prevent cars passing in the middle lane. Maybe this test design will work too, though I can't see how it will help cyclists wanting to go north/south. I guess I'll just keep taking a lane. . .<br />
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Here is a road diet slide show by Michael Ronkin, one of my mentors from when I worked in bike/ped planning: <a href="http://www.smartgrowthonlineaudio.org/np2007/310c.pdf" target="_blank">http://www.smartgrowthonlineaudio.org/np2007/310c.pdf</a><br />
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Sorry if this is not super coherent--got a bunch of pots simmering on my desk. Ack! It's such a shame. The boulev…tag:thechainlink.org,2010-09-21:2211490:Comment:2390532010-09-21T19:03:50.363ZMarkhttps://thechainlink.org/profile/Mark314
It's such a shame. The boulevard system was originally designed for bicycles and carriage rides. The boulevards are now 4-6 lane mini-expressways that are very dangerous to ride on. There is no reason bike lanes couldn't be added on the entire boulevard system. The boulevard system is as much of an asset to the city as the lakefront.
It's such a shame. The boulevard system was originally designed for bicycles and carriage rides. The boulevards are now 4-6 lane mini-expressways that are very dangerous to ride on. There is no reason bike lanes couldn't be added on the entire boulevard system. The boulevard system is as much of an asset to the city as the lakefront. I met with Ald. Maldonado thi…tag:thechainlink.org,2010-09-21:2211490:Comment:2390312010-09-21T18:11:30.566ZAsh L.https://thechainlink.org/profile/AshLottes
I met with Ald. Maldonado this morning to gauge his intent to add a bike lane and possibly sidewalks (there really is no sidewalk from the bridge north to North Av on Humboldt!). I brought along a couple of different blueprint proposals I drew up showing how easy it would be to add a dedicated biking lane and still maintain the 3 lane motor vehicle lanes now present. I also brought along a study performed on the "road diet" system of shrinking 4 lanes to two and adding biking/jogging lanes…
I met with Ald. Maldonado this morning to gauge his intent to add a bike lane and possibly sidewalks (there really is no sidewalk from the bridge north to North Av on Humboldt!). I brought along a couple of different blueprint proposals I drew up showing how easy it would be to add a dedicated biking lane and still maintain the 3 lane motor vehicle lanes now present. I also brought along a study performed on the "road diet" system of shrinking 4 lanes to two and adding biking/jogging lanes (provided by the lovely Gin).<br />
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He told me that he has no intention of adding a bicycle lane or any other accoutrements on that stretch because "the road is too dangerous for pedestrians". Maybe I am obtuse but to me the road seems too dangerous for pedestrians because there are no sidewalks, crosswalks or bike lanes. There isn't even a shoulder. Drivers speed through there at 45 miles per hour in what is now a 30 MPH zone. Adding well marked crosswalks at Munoz Marin Dr (both the north and south ends) and the bright yellow "Stop for pedestrians in the crosswalk" signs that are now being placed throughout the city and permanently reducing the through traffic from 4 to 3 lanes would help to ease speeders and congestion through the park.<br />
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Last week CDOT added those bicycle traffic detectors across Humboldt Blvd just north of the field house. What biker in their right mind would venture to bike this road in its current or even previous form? Measuring the numbers of cyclists through the park at this juncture will surely show minimal use and only add to an argument against bike lanes there as unnecessary.<br />
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If you are able, please shoot off a quick and friendly email or call to Ald Maldonado (773-395-0143) letting him know that you are in favor of safe and pedestrian/cyclist friendly access through the park that connects this stretch with the rest of the lovely boulevard system that runs from Palmer south to Grand. Please also let him know that you and many other cyclists would feel safe and confident in biking through this route if dedicated bike lanes were in place. In this area that idea wouldn…tag:thechainlink.org,2010-08-26:2211490:Comment:2275892010-08-26T16:18:26.194ZDavohttps://thechainlink.org/profile/DaveMicek
In this area that idea wouldn't work too well. When I had to bike that area I used the residential roads on the periphery or just rode through the park. IMO there is no need for a bike lane there when the're clearly visable other options.<br />
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<cite>Mark said:</cite><blockquote cite="http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/humboldt-drive-traffic-test?page=1&commentId=2211490%3AComment%3A227532&x=1#2211490Comment227291"><div>I hope the plan would also include bike lanes, utilizing the space…</div>
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In this area that idea wouldn't work too well. When I had to bike that area I used the residential roads on the periphery or just rode through the park. IMO there is no need for a bike lane there when the're clearly visable other options.<br />
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<cite>Mark said:</cite><blockquote cite="http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/humboldt-drive-traffic-test?page=1&commentId=2211490%3AComment%3A227532&x=1#2211490Comment227291"><div>I hope the plan would also include bike lanes, utilizing the space gained from going from 4 driving lanes to 3. CDOT is doing this on Lawrence Avenue between Western and Ashland, and I would like to see other streets such as the 4-lane parts of Broadway and Sheridan get this 3-lane + bike lanes make-over.</div>
</blockquote> I share your concern, still r…tag:thechainlink.org,2010-08-26:2211490:Comment:2275322010-08-26T13:30:12.703Zh' Zerocatshttps://thechainlink.org/profile/H3N3
I share your concern, still remembering what N. Ashland was like when the median was mostly just paint and not planters-- drivers used it to pull 35 MPH U-turns, get ahead of other traffic, start their left turns 1/2 block early- it was chaotic. It's not clear to me from the information here whether having a physically separated space is the ultimate goal.<br />
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<cite>Chris B said:…</cite>
I share your concern, still remembering what N. Ashland was like when the median was mostly just paint and not planters-- drivers used it to pull 35 MPH U-turns, get ahead of other traffic, start their left turns 1/2 block early- it was chaotic. It's not clear to me from the information here whether having a physically separated space is the ultimate goal.<br />
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<cite>Chris B said:</cite><blockquote cite="http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/humboldt-drive-traffic-test?page=1&commentId=2211490%3AComment%3A227529&x=1#2211490Comment227529"><div>I understand how more built up infrastructure may make drivers feel safer and drive faster (LSD) and making the street appear slow (removing lanes etc) will make them more cautious and drive slower. I've even read about experiments converting stoplights to stop signs showing a decline in accidents at those intersections. Not sure that would work at any street but it's interesting.<br/> <br/>
I am skeptical about the middle lanes though. I grew up by a street with one: drivers shoot down the middle without paying attention, crossing in a car is dangerous let alone having pedestrians try to cross.</div>
</blockquote> I understand how more built u…tag:thechainlink.org,2010-08-26:2211490:Comment:2275292010-08-26T13:25:44.516ZChris Bhttps://thechainlink.org/profile/ChrisB
I understand how more built up infrastructure may make drivers feel safer and drive faster (LSD) and making the street appear slow (removing lanes etc) will make them more cautious and drive slower. I've even read about experiments converting stoplights to stop signs showing a decline in accidents at those intersections. Not sure that would work at any street but it's interesting.<br />
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I am skeptical about the middle lanes though. I grew up by a street with one: drivers shoot down the middle…
I understand how more built up infrastructure may make drivers feel safer and drive faster (LSD) and making the street appear slow (removing lanes etc) will make them more cautious and drive slower. I've even read about experiments converting stoplights to stop signs showing a decline in accidents at those intersections. Not sure that would work at any street but it's interesting.<br />
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I am skeptical about the middle lanes though. I grew up by a street with one: drivers shoot down the middle without paying attention, crossing in a car is dangerous let alone having pedestrians try to cross. I hope the plan would also in…tag:thechainlink.org,2010-08-25:2211490:Comment:2272912010-08-25T17:31:03.484ZMarkhttps://thechainlink.org/profile/Mark314
I hope the plan would also include bike lanes, utilizing the space gained from going from 4 driving lanes to 3. CDOT is doing this on Lawrence Avenue between Western and Ashland, and I would like to see other streets such as the 4-lane parts of Broadway and Sheridan get this 3-lane + bike lanes make-over.
I hope the plan would also include bike lanes, utilizing the space gained from going from 4 driving lanes to 3. CDOT is doing this on Lawrence Avenue between Western and Ashland, and I would like to see other streets such as the 4-lane parts of Broadway and Sheridan get this 3-lane + bike lanes make-over. Again somethings I will never…tag:thechainlink.org,2010-08-25:2211490:Comment:2272422010-08-25T15:19:52.073ZRick norrishttps://thechainlink.org/profile/Ricknorris
Again somethings I will never get, instead of enforcing the speed limit ( I drive throught there and always do the limit because it seems like the perfect speed trap). That area will be changed to slow down traffic.<br />
So now money will be spent to study the issue, why? enforce what is already a law in that area (speed limit) or just change the thing.<br />
For those of use old enough....remember the sidewalk areas that used to be in the middle of a lot of streets? They got taken out and then painted…
Again somethings I will never get, instead of enforcing the speed limit ( I drive throught there and always do the limit because it seems like the perfect speed trap). That area will be changed to slow down traffic.<br />
So now money will be spent to study the issue, why? enforce what is already a law in that area (speed limit) or just change the thing.<br />
For those of use old enough....remember the sidewalk areas that used to be in the middle of a lot of streets? They got taken out and then painted strips put down, this was to make it easier for emergency vehicles to get past traffic jams. Then flower pots got put in place to make the city more green...of course now emergency vehicles get stuck behind a bunch of cars that have no place to go....<br />
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ANYWAY the painted ped refuge area will just become a passing lane for the people that already ignore the speed limit in that area IMO