The Chainlink

Kinzie. It's what's next.

Hopefully you've heard by now that CDOT will begin construction this week on the city's first protected bike lane: Kinzie Street from Milwaukee Avenue/Desplaines Street to Wells Street. 

 

Full story on Steven Can Plan. 

 

I want to know what you think about this.

  • What do you feel will need special attention?
  • Is this the right or wrong location for such a facility? Why?
  • Are you going to thank/congratulate Rahm, Gabe, and the CDOT Bicycle Program?
  • Will you use it?

 

Cycle track and protected bike lane naysayers, this isn't the post for you. But if you've ridden in protected bike lanes before, then I welcome your constructive comments and criticism based on your actual experiences. 

Big intersection

The new beginning. Looking southeast at the intersection of Kinzie/Milwaukee/Desplaines. 

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by h' Zerocats on July 26, 2011 at 12:55pm
That would be my assumption too.

Michelle said:

They could make it a two-way bike path even though it's one-way for motorized traffic, like this one on Kent in NY.  Too bad we get no details, just crumbs of info... 

 

Photo credit: NYCDOT, taken from Streetsblog.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jason W said:

man, I could use that route on my commute, but I'm not crazy about that neighborhood. Also, it kind of sucks they are doing in on a one way street. Doing it on a two way would give us twice the effective bike track.

h333 said:

Klein also announced the location of the city’s next protected bike lane:  Jackson Boulevard from Damen Avenue to Halsted Street.

Hmmm . . . several attacks on cyclists at Adams and Damen last year:

http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/attacked-sunday-at-845pm

Permalink Reply by Carter O'Brien on July 26, 2011 at 1:00pm
That would be excellent indeed, although some clear/suggested route to get to the LFP would definitely be needed.

h333 said:

I was told by CDOT folks a few years ago that Taylor was supposed to be the new bike corridor and there was money and plans to build out east of Canal and cross the river.

Would have rocked my world-- not sure what happened it that.

Cameron Puetz said:

If anything is done with Roosevelt I hope it stretches all the way through the Lake Shore Drive intersection and connects to the Lake Front Path.

Carter O'Brien said:
How about Roosevelt crossing the river?  That is effin' HORRIBLE right now due to the Congress construction, cars are maniacs using the alleged shared bike/bus lane...
Permalink Reply by John Wirtz on August 10, 2011 at 1:43pm
The more I use Kinzie, the less I like it.  A car came up from behind me and started turning onto Jefferson as I was crossing that street.  The driver stopped, but I just feel very paranoid that a car is going to come up from behind me and turn right into my path at one of the intersections.  I think I'm going to avoid Kinzie in the future.  Maybe it's just not the best route for faster cyclists.
Permalink Reply by igz on August 10, 2011 at 2:56pm
you mean where the stop sign is?  where bikes are supposed to stop?
Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on August 10, 2011 at 2:57pm

Or at least turn one's head to the side and LOOK to see if the intersection is clear before bombing through it...

 

+! iggi

iggi said:

you mean where the stop sign is?  where bikes are supposed to stop?
Permalink Reply by Steven Vance on August 10, 2011 at 3:03pm
There's no stop sign for Kinzie traffic at Jefferson, but there is at Clinton and Canal. Jefferson is the first street, eastbound, at the bottom of the hill, between the park and the high-rise. 

iggi said:
you mean where the stop sign is?  where bikes are supposed to stop?
Permalink Reply by igz on August 10, 2011 at 3:18pm

ok.  i stand corrected.  but it is a crosswalk, and there is a stop for pedestrains and bikes (which i assume is for crossing bikes and pedestrians) and one should be slowing for that anyway as the crosswalk is clearly visible.

 

but that signage is kinda dumb. and hidden behind trees till last minute.

 

 

screenshot taken from travis kluska's video on youtube

Steven Vance said:

There's no stop sign for Kinzie traffic at Jefferson, but there is at Clinton and Canal. Jefferson is the first street, eastbound, at the bottom of the hill, between the park and the high-rise. 

iggi said:
you mean where the stop sign is?  where bikes are supposed to stop?
Permalink Reply by ad on August 10, 2011 at 4:10pm

I would agree a cyclist should at a minimum keep an eye out and check the lane when going through this intersection, especially given what basically amounts to a blind spot for right-turning cars.  That's what I've started to do at least. 

 

That said, the cyclist would clearly have the right-of-way here unless a pedestrian was crossing (or about to cross) Kinzie in the crosswalk, which is hardly ever it seems.  I agree that this is the one spot on Kinize where the cycle track may have actually made things a bit more dangerous than before--and I say that as a fan of the protected lane.  Besides adding a stop sign on Kinzie, though, not sure how you could design around this situation.       

 

iggi said:

ok.  i stand corrected.  but it is a crosswalk, and there is a stop for pedestrains and bikes (which i assume is for crossing bikes and pedestrians) and one should be slowing for that anyway as the crosswalk is clearly visible.

 

but that signage is kinda dumb. and hidden behind trees till last minute.

 

 

screenshot taken from travis kluska's video on youtube

Steven Vance said:

There's no stop sign for Kinzie traffic at Jefferson, but there is at Clinton and Canal. Jefferson is the first street, eastbound, at the bottom of the hill, between the park and the high-rise. 

iggi said:
you mean where the stop sign is?  where bikes are supposed to stop?
Permalink Reply by igz on August 10, 2011 at 4:31pm

we should be looking over our shoulders regardless while approaching and crossing intersections.  is the idea behind the protected lane that we shouldnt have to do this?

 

john, the car that crept up to the intersection...was it an 'oh shit, bike' slam on brakes situation, or was it a typical 'dootdeedoo, im making a right turn' slow down approach made by the car? or somewhere in between? just trying to understand the situation better.

Permalink Reply by Juan 2-3 or more mi. on August 10, 2011 at 5:07pm
I have noticed a growing number of skid marks leading up to that stop from the downhill.

ad said:

I would agree a cyclist should at a minimum keep an eye out and check the lane when going through this intersection, especially given what basically amounts to a blind spot for right-turning cars.  That's what I've started to do at least. 

 

That said, the cyclist would clearly have the right-of-way here unless a pedestrian was crossing (or about to cross) Kinzie in the crosswalk, which is hardly ever it seems.  I agree that this is the one spot on Kinize where the cycle track may have actually made things a bit more dangerous than before--and I say that as a fan of the protected lane.  Besides adding a stop sign on Kinzie, though, not sure how you could design around this situation.       

 

iggi said:

ok.  i stand corrected.  but it is a crosswalk, and there is a stop for pedestrains and bikes (which i assume is for crossing bikes and pedestrians) and one should be slowing for that anyway as the crosswalk is clearly visible.

 

but that signage is kinda dumb. and hidden behind trees till last minute.

 

 

screenshot taken from travis kluska's video on youtube

Steven Vance said:

There's no stop sign for Kinzie traffic at Jefferson, but there is at Clinton and Canal. Jefferson is the first street, eastbound, at the bottom of the hill, between the park and the high-rise. 

iggi said:
you mean where the stop sign is?  where bikes are supposed to stop?
Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on August 10, 2011 at 5:16pm

I have to admit that the kid in me can't resist making skid marks on the green paint...

 

My bike wears cheaper tires and I really don't mind replacing them :-D

Permalink Reply by Juan 2-3 or more mi. on August 10, 2011 at 5:31pm

Ah HA!

James BlackHeron said:

I have to admit that the kid in me can't resist making skid marks on the green paint...

 

My bike wears cheaper tires and I really don't mind replacing them :-D

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