The Chainlink

Let's keep talking about protected bike lanes

This originally started as a Chainlink discussion, but I cross-posted it to StevenCanPlan.

 

Rahm Emanuel was sworn in as mayor on May 16th, 2011. 

 

On page 36 of the Chicago 2011 Transition Report (PDF) is a 100-day deadline for IDENTIFYING the first two miles of protected bike lanes. 

 

That 100-day deadline is August 24, 2011. 

 

If you keep up with Steven Can Plan (new URL) you've read about my thoughts on CDOT's plan for a Stony Island cycle track, 13+ other locations I think are ripe for cycle tracks or protected bike lanes, and now Alderman Moreno's (1st Ward) F-bomb about parking preventing a protected bike lane on Milwaukee through Wicker Park. 

 

And the latest news comes from Alderman Maldonado and the 26th Ward offices's partnership with Humboldt Park Advisory Council, the Healthy Kids, Healthy Communities, and the Active Transportation Alliance. At this meeting on Wednesday night, the consultant, Sam Schwartz Engineering (SSE), presented its proposals to make the street network in and surrounding the park safer, mainly by creating pedestrian refuge islands, protected bike lanes, and slowing car traffic.  I never blogged about the Chicago Department of Transportation's plan to calm traffic on the north-south Humboldt Drive, but John Greenfield discussed this road diet. To the disappointment of some residents, including myself, the road diet will not include any bike facilities, especially not this two-way cycle track I designed.

Humboldt Park separated bike lanes

This design will not be happening, nor will any bikeway appear on this street because "it doesn't connect with the bikeway network." But there's a bike lane on Augusta Boulevard just two blocks south of Division Street! It's a bad excuse. People ride on streets without bikeways all the time. 

SSE displayed proposals for protected bike lanes and a road diet on a future version of Humboldt Drive from Palmer Square to Augusta Boulevard, and on Division Street between California Avenue and Central Park Avenue. I asked if they will share their slideshow online.

 

Humboldt Drive community meeting 

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Mark on May 27, 2011 at 9:15am
There's plenty of capacity to accommodate this kind of protected bike lane on the ENTIRE boulevard system.  How cool would that be!
Permalink Reply by Active Transportation Alliance on May 27, 2011 at 2:25pm

Thanks for keeping the discussion going! Active Trans is very excited that Mayor Emanuel and new CDOT Commissioner Gabe Klein share our goals for making streets safer for people who bike by building protected bike lanes. We're already hard at work planning a new campaign to support the creation of the 100-mile network of protected bikeways. This has the potential to change the way people choose to get around in Chicago and make bikes a mainstream part of daily life in our city. However, the mayor and CDOT acting alone will not be enough to get this done. We'll need the support of aldermen and community groups across the city to make it happen. We've already staffed up and started organizing in neighborhoods to build support and we will be calling on the bike community for your help as we officially launch the campaign in the very near future. Come get a preview of the campaign and meet our new Bikeways Campaign Coordinator, John Lankford, at our Active Trans tent in the Bike the Drive festival on Sunday (www.bikethedrive.org).

 

- Lee Crandell, Director of Campaigns at Active Trans

Permalink Reply by Mark on May 27, 2011 at 3:08pm
Most of the sections of the boulevards are like mini expressways with two or more driving lanes in each direction and often no left turn lanes.  The only time I feel safe riding on them is during the Lakefront-Boulevard Ride each year.  The boulevard system is a hidden jewel linking Chicago's neighborhoods and parks.  Since there is such an overcapacity for cars now, adding bike lanes would calm traffic and allow cyclists to enjoy the beauty of the parks and the boulevard itself.
Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on May 28, 2011 at 10:49am

Unfortunately, the "mini expressway" description is too appropriate for the boulevard system most of the time.  The problem of speeding through Humboldt Park is a good example.  It disgusts me that they don't want to include any amenities for bikes through the park. 

 

Humboldt Blvd connects with so many good bike streets that it absolutely should have some accommodation for bikes.  Steven - Thanks for continuing to push for this.

 

Mark said:

Most of the sections of the boulevards are like mini expressways with two or more driving lanes in each direction and often no left turn lanes.  The only time I feel safe riding on them is during the Lakefront-Boulevard Ride each year.  The boulevard system is a hidden jewel linking Chicago's neighborhoods and parks.  Since there is such an overcapacity for cars now, adding bike lanes would calm traffic and allow cyclists to enjoy the beauty of the parks and the boulevard itself.
Permalink Reply by Mike Zumwalt on May 28, 2011 at 11:18am
I could see how a protected lane would allow for more recumbents.

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