Oh Dearborn! A virtual tour of Chicago's first 2-way protected bike lane

Did you blink yesterday? If so you missed CDOT painting the "game-changing" new 2-way protected bike lane on Dearborn Street from Polk Street to the Chicago River. The striping is already complete, although the lane won't be ready to ride until the flexible posts, signs and bike-specific traffic signals are done. Here's a virtual tour of the new facility so far:

http://gridchicago.com/2012/oh-my-dearborn-the-2-way-protected-bike...

Keep moving forward,

John Greenfield

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Permalink Reply by Adam Herstein on December 6, 2012 at 8:24am

CDOT still needs to program the bike-specific traffic lights and figure out timing.

Cameron Puetz said:

When I rode by last night it looked like the posts were in place. Any bets on when the actual opening will be? I'm going to go with Wednesday.

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Permalink Reply by in it to win it 8.0 mi on December 9, 2012 at 10:04am

Is it ready yet?

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Permalink Reply by in it to win it 8.0 mi on December 10, 2012 at 4:21am

Nope!

in it to win it said:

Is it ready yet?

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Permalink Reply by Julie Aberman (Hochstadter) on December 10, 2012 at 4:24am

so what if I just ride down it today? Will I get arrested :))

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Permalink Reply by in it to win it 8.0 mi on December 10, 2012 at 5:09am

not recommended. there are a lot of barriers in place so you'll be veering into traffic here and there...

Cameron Puetz said:

It's a slalom course with all the construction horses. Also watch for turning traffic, but other than that you should be fine.

Julie Hochstadter said:

so what if I just ride down it today? Will I get arrested :))

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Permalink Reply by Julie Aberman (Hochstadter) on December 10, 2012 at 5:11am

Why do they tease us for soooooo long? :)) :))

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Permalink Reply by Grace Van Moer 8.25 mi on December 11, 2012 at 3:38am

CDOT wiring up signals at Dearborn & Madison this morning...getting closer!

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Permalink Reply by Lisa Curcio on December 11, 2012 at 3:55am

There are also signals for northbound cyclists. If you look at the photos on the blog link above you can see them in the second and last photos. And I have seen them with my own eyes.;-)

Cameron Puetz said:

I've only noticed signals installed for southbound cyclists. Are the signals for northbound cyclists still to come, or will northbound cyclists follow the main traffic lights? If it's the latter, I fear there will be a lot of right hooks if turning traffic and cyclists are allowed to move at the same time.

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Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on December 11, 2012 at 4:00am

I've also seen them, and it's my understanding that there will be left turn signals for cars to help minimize conflict between left turning cars and cyclists at westbound cross streets.