new boulevard bike lane configuration

Has anyone else had a chance to ride in the new boulevard bike line configuration? My commute puts me on Douglas and Independance Blvd's which were completely re-done over the last few weeks.

The biggest difference between this system and bike lanes I've rode on elsewhere in the city is that on Independance Blvd (but not on Douglas) the bike lane is next to the curb and car parking is where bike lanes used to be. I am very curious about the planning process for this decision, if anyone here knows of it. And also would like to hear about anyone else's experience riding on it recently.

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Permalink Reply by Thunder Snow on November 29, 2012 at 3:34am

What you're describing sounds like a "protected bike lane" or "cycle track". The parked cars form a protective wall between you, the cyclist, and the moving cars. It's meant as an improved version of cycling lanes that squeeze you between parked cars (that may door you) and moving traffic, and it's being built elsewhere in the city, wherever there's a wide enough street. The first one in Chicago was on Kinzie. Enjoy your more advanced cycling route!

http://www.cts.pdx.edu/pdf/Birk%20cycle%20track%20lessons%20learned...