The Chainlink

Parking on the Bike Lane at Dunkin Donuts on Courtland

On my morning commute, I am constantly encountering three common offenders parking in the bike lane. This occurs on the westbound side of the Courtland bike lane just outside the Dunkin Donuts at Courtland, Clybourn and Racine. My only solution now is to submit pictures of their plates and cars to Cars Parked in the Bike Lane. That doesn't seem like a solution, as I am not so sure that site does anything. I am starting to get fed up with these offenders, especially at that intersection where cars tend to make wide turns because of angled Clybourn Ave. I don't mean to judge people, but they seem to be people that have no regard for anyone but themselves, so a kind request might do no good. Beyond that, I don't often catch them, as they are in the DD. Should I catch them I can't really waste time on my way to work speaking with someone who could potentially be hostile. What's even worse about this, is there are PARKING SPACES AVAILABLE at the Dunkin Donuts when they park in the bike lane! Does anyone else have to deal with these offenders at this same location on Courtland and Clybourn? Is there a solution that will help prevent these inconsiderate people from parking in the bike lane?

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Permalink Reply by spencewine on July 11, 2012 at 5:17pm

Confront them? Just wait outside and ask them why they are parked in the bike lane? If they get defensive then tell them that it's dangerous to bikers because they are forced into fast moving traffic in a possibly difficult area. If they say they don't care, tell them you've heard that some bikers will key cars and break tail lights that are parked in the bike lane. If the first one doesn't get them to change their ways, the last one will.

Permalink Reply by Rich S on July 11, 2012 at 5:28pm

I would call the alderman's office and ask for enforcement. Email some photos if necessary. I frequently see department of revenue employees issue tickets during the afternoon but rarely in the morning. Perhaps they can get one or two ticket writers (not sure what their official title is) to hang around that area and write tickets. I'm guessing 1 ticket every 10-15 minutes will cover the costs and then some. A few weeks of that and the regulars there will get the hint. 

Permalink Reply by Paul on July 11, 2012 at 6:48pm

Some company's have big orange "no parking" stickers that they stick to the drivers side window to use in private parking lots.   (myparkingpermit.com/Parking-Violation-Stickers/Violacion-Vehiculo-Spanish/SKU-D-2056.aspx?engine=googlebase&keyword=Parking+Violation+Stickers) These are 50 for $30. Of course this is not for everyone, just a thought. I dont think it breaks any laws. Its removable. Once or twice and they will be sick of pealing them off.

Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on July 11, 2012 at 6:54pm

I wonder if anyone has been successful in getting a bike-lane enforcement detail in an area other than one of the newly-created bike lanes.    I do not know, but judging by the blasé attitude of the violators  and their sheer numbers there doesn't seem to be very much emphasis on enforcement.

It's too bad but there is a huge difference between signage, road markings, and vehicle codes -and enforcement.    Without any of the latter the former is going to do zero good. 

I think a ticket every 10-15 minutes would do a WORLD of good, and I hope it happens much more frequently.  

Veiled threats of keying cars or other vigilante violence may do more harm than good.  The last thing I need to worry about is fear from the rear from some raging cager who just got his paint job ruined (or merely threatened to have it ruined) and decides I need to be "taught a lesson" back because I happen to be on a bike too. 


Rich S said:

I would call the alderman's office and ask for enforcement. Email some photos if necessary. I frequently see department of revenue employees issue tickets during the afternoon but rarely in the morning. Perhaps they can get one or two ticket writers (not sure what their official title is) to hang around that area and write tickets. I'm guessing 1 ticket every 10-15 minutes will cover the costs and then some. A few weeks of that and the regulars there will get the hint. 

Permalink Reply by Paul on July 11, 2012 at 7:07pm
I agree with James. Don't tell someone what may or may not happen to their car, not from a bike. Please!

James BlackHeron said:

I wonder if anyone has been successful in getting a bike-lane enforcement detail in an area other than one of the newly-created bike lanes.    I do not know, but judging by the blasé attitude of the violators  and their sheer numbers there doesn't seem to be very much emphasis on enforcement.

It's too bad but there is a huge difference between signage, road markings, and vehicle codes -and enforcement.    Without any of the latter the former is going to do zero good. 

I think a ticket every 10-15 minutes would do a WORLD of good, and I hope it happens much more frequently.  

Veiled threats of keying cars or other vigilante violence may do more harm than good.  The last thing I need to worry about is fear from the rear from some raging cager who just got his paint job ruined (or merely threatened to have it ruined) and decides I need to be "taught a lesson" back because I happen to be on a bike too. 


Rich S said:

I would call the alderman's office and ask for enforcement. Email some photos if necessary. I frequently see department of revenue employees issue tickets during the afternoon but rarely in the morning. Perhaps they can get one or two ticket writers (not sure what their official title is) to hang around that area and write tickets. I'm guessing 1 ticket every 10-15 minutes will cover the costs and then some. A few weeks of that and the regulars there will get the hint. 

Permalink Reply by Gene Tenner on July 11, 2012 at 8:18pm

Call the Alderman's office first.

I have been told that "do not park here" written in soap on the driver's-side window is effective.

Permalink Reply by spencewine on July 11, 2012 at 8:55pm

I'm not saying do it..all I'm saying is to suggest it, the power of suggestion is pretty powerful. If reason doesn't work with these people... which it should most of the time, then you have to speak their language....and someone driving a benz is not going to want to get their tail lights bashed out and next time they consider parking in the bike lane, they'll have to think twice.

Permalink Reply by Lisa Curcio on July 11, 2012 at 9:33pm

It did not appear that you said "do it", but I am with Paul and James--such "suggestions" are really only likely to irritate people.  The alderman's office is a good idea, especially if you live in the ward and especially if the alderman is also the ward committeeman!

spencewine said:

I'm not saying do it..all I'm saying is to suggest it, the power of suggestion is pretty powerful. If reason doesn't work with these people... which it should most of the time, then you have to speak their language....and someone driving a benz is not going to want to get their tail lights bashed out and next time they consider parking in the bike lane, they'll have to think twice.

Permalink Reply by Tony Adams on July 11, 2012 at 9:45pm

Call 311 and report them? There was a rash of bike lane parking on Blue Island a couple/few years back. I called and reported it more or less every week day on my way to work and eventually the problem stopped happening.

Permalink Reply by Paul on July 11, 2012 at 10:09pm
I'm just saying don't suggest it as a cyclist. You (a cyclist) say something "might" happen and then it does. In his mind a cyclist did it. And now they all SUCK! If there is a mysterious full length scratch down his/her car it's just a bad place to park. Pedals, handlebars, racks, these all could cause scratches trying to squeeze by. That's what "happens" in bike lanes. Yes the power of suggestion is very powerful. But the brains of some people are also very simple, I wouldn't trust them. Then again I don't trust anyone when I'm on two wheels.
Permalink Reply by spencewine on July 11, 2012 at 11:37pm

Anyone who parks in the bike lane already thinks all cyclist suck. And if after informing someone the danger that they are creating in a calm manner, if that individual blatantly continues such behavior, then you need to change them message so that they will understand it. If that guy/girl's car gets keyed, he's going to be pissed no matter what was said to him prior and he'll have it out for them. Same with putting a "sticker" or soaping a window. In my mind, that person already had it out for cyclist the minute he/she made a conscious decision to park in a bike lane.

Paul said:

I'm just saying don't suggest it as a cyclist. You (a cyclist) say something "might" happen and then it does. In his mind a cyclist did it. And now they all SUCK! If there is a mysterious full length scratch down his/her car it's just a bad place to park. Pedals, handlebars, racks, these all could cause scratches trying to squeeze by. That's what "happens" in bike lanes. Yes the power of suggestion is very powerful. But the brains of some people are also very simple, I wouldn't trust them. Then again I don't trust anyone when I'm on two wheels.
Permalink Reply by Steven Vance on July 12, 2012 at 12:58am

Bike lane parking enforcement is down last month. 

In the period January to April 2012, the rate was 5.07 citations per day.

In May the citation rate was 6.65 citations per day. 

In June the citation rate was 5.80 citations per day. I don't think the rate of violations has decreased. 

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