The Chainlink

Let's Get Cycletracks

Over the past few wintry days I've noticed that even on the major traffic corridors (like Ashland from 290 to Bryn Mawr for example)  there's between a half a lane and a lane of plowed snow on the right, moving parked cars out into the traffic and limiting travel lanes. But the car traffic doesn't seem any worse than usual.

 

There's no reason why that half a lane of space could not be used full time to put in a bike cycletrack between the sidewalk and the parked cars. 

 

Any thoughts?

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Permalink Reply by Kevin C Dormant on February 7, 2011 at 2:27pm
Not saying it wouldn't be a good idea, but I would suspect that the past few wintry days (and uncertainty about parking upon arrival at destination) has curtailed the volume of automobile traffic.
Permalink Reply by Duppie on February 7, 2011 at 2:33pm

Why waste precious money on what is undoubtedly a costly initiative, when great alternatives to Ashland are readily available: Southport, Ravenswood/Wolcott, etc?

 

Like Anne mentioned in a different thread: Why not spend that money in areas that really need it?

Permalink Reply by h' Zerocats on February 7, 2011 at 3:48pm
I'd also prefer to see main streets prioritized for Bus Rapid Transit, and secondary streets sanctioned, built out, connected, and protected as bicycle thoroughfares.
Permalink Reply by travesty on February 7, 2011 at 4:45pm

I'm guessing you may not have already researched the cycling infrastructure upgrades already planned around the city. Do that.

Since I don't know who Allen Wrench is, I MIGHT just be feeding a troll who is asking intentionally obtuse questions in order to playfully waste everybody's time. I don't mean to accuse you, really, but your proposal is just that immature sounding.

Permalink Reply by Liz on February 7, 2011 at 5:27pm

Putting a cycletrack between the sidewalk and parked cars is good in theory or in some specific locations, but it can become a different cycling path than you're currently using it though.  On some streets where this has occurred there is an increase in "slower" cycling traffic on the cycletrak, and since it is narrow with limited passing space it could lead to conflict with other cyclists.  It also can mean many pedestrians who are exiting parked cars/taxis into the cycle track, who are not aware or looking for cyclists. 

 

I'd like to see cycletracks in places where there are fewer parked cars and higher speeds along the roadway since that limits a pedestrian conflict point with the cyclists. 

 

 Otherwise the standard bike lane is generally more readily adapted to by both drivers and pedestrians.

 

 

Permalink Reply by jennifer james on February 7, 2011 at 8:32pm

I think that arguments against cycletracks that center around too many other people cycling are laughable. We should be getting riders from 8-80 out on bikes if we can. Most northern European countries with cycletrack seem to be able to get them plowed. It doesn't seem that difficult. The Streetsblog review of the Portland study that sorted potential riders into already a commited rider, wants to but worried and absolutely no way shows us that if cycling becomes safe enough people ride. Kids in our city should have the option of cycletracks to get to school. We need to get out of the dark ages. Chicago is no longer a leader in any way in the U.S. in terms of cycling growth. I think this storm has shown that people do find other ways to get around that are not cars when they feel there are other ways that work better to get places. The trains have been very crowded when we have been on the blue line. Buses also.

I can support bus  rapid trans but really can't we think at least to what is common place in Europe and get trams that use less energy and aren't limited by stop lights? There are modern systems that can be put right into the street fairly inexpensively. Our city needs to get moving ahead.

Permalink Reply by Davo on February 7, 2011 at 10:01pm
I think that the idea of cycletracks are interesting but I am wondering if and how these seporated lanes would get plowed during the winter. Would new equipment be needed for the city? I think that there are some areas in the city that could work for cycletracks. Id like to see how well it works for that section of stony island before there are plans for other areas.
Permalink Reply by Michael Perz on February 8, 2011 at 3:05pm

I can't think of anything that could more effectively suck the fun out of cycling than being confined to a couple of feet of pavement between a row of parked cars and a curb. It doesn't surprise me at all that Europeans are responsible for an idea like this.

 

Permalink Reply by Michael Perz on February 8, 2011 at 5:12pm

It isn't misplaced patriotism. It's a deep rooted disdain for Europhiles that proclaim their favored continent's superiority over the United States without ever stopping to consider that what they view as symbols of advancement might actually be recessive traits of barbarism.

Permalink Reply by jennifer james on February 8, 2011 at 5:50pm

I think if you consider excellent public transportation barbarism I'm glad to be a neanderthal. I think wanting Chicago to be a place were a kid can ride a bike to school or old ladies can do 80% of their trips on a bike makes me a Chicagophile more than anything. I'm guessing you don't plan on getting old or ever needing excellent public transport or separated lanes. I guess the rest of us that might are just losers.

Cities that have good public transport and cycling infrastructure leave others behind in quality of life no matter what continent they are on.  Why not move ahead? Other places on every continent that can are.

Michael Perz said:

It isn't misplaced patriotism. It's a deep rooted disdain for Europhiles that proclaim their favored continent's superiority over the United States without ever stopping to consider that what they view as symbols of advancement might actually be recessive traits of barbarism.

Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on February 8, 2011 at 5:54pm

I couldn't say it better.  And I'm not instantly impressed by the "they do it in Europe" defense.  In many ways Europe is a messed-up place. They may have a few good ideas -but I don't automatically think Euro=Good.



Michael Perz said:

I can't think of anything that could more effectively suck the fun out of cycling than being confined to a couple of feet of pavement between a row of parked cars and a curb. It doesn't surprise me at all that Europeans are responsible for an idea like this.

 

Permalink Reply by Doug Haynes on February 8, 2011 at 7:35pm

This needs to be shouted from the rooftops.

 


Practical, affordable and it makes sense.

 

Think about how nice it would be to have secondary streets that you can parallel major roads on free of most car traffic and all buses; it would be like a dream come true.

 

H3N3 said:

I'd also prefer to see main streets prioritized for Bus Rapid Transit, and secondary streets sanctioned, built out, connected, and protected as bicycle thoroughfares.

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