Roosevelt Bike Lane

I traveled Roosevelt eastbound today between Halsted and Michigan, feeling most unwelcome (cars using the bike and bus lanes for scootching ahead even though the traffic was light). The lane lines and bike symbols seemed to have been actively rubbed out. Is riding this stretch officially discouraged? I know there is a new protected lane on 18th.

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Permalink Reply by MagMileMarauder on August 14, 2012 at 2:30pm

I don't like that bike lane at all and usually avoid it. Cars go too fast and feeling sandwiched (a la Frogger) between cars  isn't very comforting:).

Permalink Reply by Debra J on August 14, 2012 at 3:09pm

Roosevelt is one of my least favorite bike lines. I do a lot of riding between Michigan and Canal. It's unpleasant to say the least.

Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on August 14, 2012 at 4:02pm

The lane markings are just worn.  The bike lane designation was never removed.  It's never been a pleasant place to ride.  I'll second Howard's suggestion of Taylor to Canal, or suggest 18th if that's more convenient to your destination.  Either is a more pleasant alternative to Roosevelt. 

Permalink Reply by NYC (7.0 mi) on August 15, 2012 at 2:13am

Roosevelt and Canal are the most disrespected bike lanes in the city. I do love the rush of danger though!

Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on August 15, 2012 at 3:00am

Most disrespected - true and not an enviable title.  Great place to get an adrenaline rush if you haven't had your caffeine yet.  ;)

NYC said:

Roosevelt and Canal are the most disrespected bike lanes in the city. I do love the rush of danger though!

Permalink Reply by NYC (7.0 mi) on August 15, 2012 at 4:11am

1. Roosevelt - it's like riding on a highway.
2. Canal - but I do love seeing the skells waiting for the Megabus.
3. Dearborn left lane - the poorly timed lights keep the traffic pretty slow by comparison.

Permalink Reply by Tony Adams on August 15, 2012 at 5:51am

If by "poorly placed" you mean where it goes on the road, yes the jury is still out. But if you meant which street then it looks like at least some better decisions are being made. Canal and Clinton are being replaced by Jefferson and something (or is Jefferson gonna be another two-way?) right?

h' said:

Probably some element of "poorly placed" in that mix. I like to think that better decisions on bike lane placement are being made, but I think that still remains to be seen.

NYC said:

Roosevelt and Canal are the most disrespected bike lanes in the city.

Permalink Reply by Elizabeth on August 15, 2012 at 10:43am

Maybe a good road diet would help Roosevelt?  We bike to the big box shops there sometimes -- Target, Whole Foods, etc. -- and biking that lane gives me heart palpitations, particularly with kids on my bike.

Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on August 15, 2012 at 10:46am

+1  14th Place was excellent.

I think we should push for Taylor St.  With all the South Loop condo development and huge retail developments to the west, Roosevelt is a lost cause, short of a radical solution like a concrete wall between the bike lanes and vehicle traffic.

h' said:

14th place was a near-perfect e/w route across the span between Halsted and the train yard before UPS stole it and closed it off. I was excited to hear from a CDOT bike staffer  a few years ago that Taylor was supposed to be built out east of Canal and was going to replace Roosevelt as the preferred bike corridor, but that seems to have "gone away."

I would be perfectly happy to let  the heavy motor traffic have Roosevelt, in favor of other options-- I don't think it can be saved.

Permalink Reply by Tony Adams on August 15, 2012 at 10:56am

I agree. Isn't there an off-street path planned for Wells? A Taylor Street connecting bridge to that would be awesome!

Not to hijack the thread, but along those lines, am I the only person here who would like to see Plymouth re-opened for bikes all the way to 18th St? The stretch of Clark between 18th and 15th is brutal, and for most people riding into the loop, Wabash* is pretty far out of the way.

* and the bike lanes on it end at the dreaded Roosevelt anyway.


Anne Alt said:

+1  14th Place was excellent.

I think we should push for Taylor St.  With all the South Loop condo development and huge retail developments to the west, Roosevelt is a lost cause, short of a radical solution like a concrete wall between the bike lanes and vehicle traffic.

h' said:

14th place was a near-perfect e/w route across the span between Halsted and the train yard before UPS stole it and closed it off. I was excited to hear from a CDOT bike staffer  a few years ago that Taylor was supposed to be built out east of Canal and was going to replace Roosevelt as the preferred bike corridor, but that seems to have "gone away."

I would be perfectly happy to let  the heavy motor traffic have Roosevelt, in favor of other options-- I don't think it can be saved.

Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on August 15, 2012 at 12:30pm

Don't we all love the NIMBYs?  ;)  Having a bikeable path from Plymouth through to 18th would be fabulous.  If only there was a way through here.

h' said:

Would love to see Plymouth opened up-- who closed it? Guessing the locals don't want a steady stream of cyclists crossing their little park.

Permalink Reply by Saverio Truglia on August 16, 2012 at 1:45am
I take 18th to the lake or if going to Whole Foods area (from the south) take Canal north from 18.
Also, try Taylor Street as an alternate east/west.

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