Steven Vance's Bike Crash Map in Gaper's Block!

Article link here.

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Kevin Mulcky on February 22, 2011 at 8:59am

Cool project Steve!

I noticed the Milwaukee/Ogdon/Chicago intersection is particularly dangerous, I work right there and have seen a lot of accidents in the past 3 or four years.

The map also shows what a great alternative Elston Ave is compare to Milwaukee.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Duppie on February 22, 2011 at 9:15am

I think you are drawing conclusions that cannot be made?

Just because there are fewer accidents doesn't make it a safer street. You have to take into account the number of cyclists riding a certain street.

You might be comparing apples to oranges

Kelvin Mulcky said:

The map also shows what a great alternative Elston Ave is compare to Milwaukee.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Kevin Mulcky on February 22, 2011 at 9:38am

I guess you're right. But, Elston is safer, right? I ride both streets all the time (between Augusta and Foster) and prefer Elston. There are a few factors not referenced on the map that made me think that Elston is safer: 1. Wider and more defined bike lanes 2. Less cab traffic 3. Less retail development 4. less bike traffic

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by igz on February 22, 2011 at 9:47am

yeah, for all those reasons...elston is superior to milwaukee. it may be a hair out of the way, but it really is like riding in the country. few cars, few bikes, zero meandering peds, few establishments for cars to jump out of, a wide road, complete with a bike lane.

train tracks and a few short stretches of shitty pavement would be my only concern.

Kelvin Mulcky said:

I guess you're right. But, Elston is safer, right? I ride both streets all the time (between Augusta and Foster) and prefer Elston. There are a few factors not referenced on the map that made me think that Elston is safer: 1. Wider and more defined bike lanes 2. Less cab traffic 3. Less retail development 4. less bike traffic

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by igz on February 22, 2011 at 9:50am

i see too many cyclists ignore the traffic signals here. this intersection is riddled with blind corners for both cyclists and motorists, and its an area where patience is lacking. plus that crosswalk over the northbound highway entrance at ogden is dangerous for all.

Kelvin Mulcky said:

Cool project Steve!

I noticed the Milwaukee/Ogdon/Chicago intersection is particularly dangerous, I work right there and have seen a lot of accidents in the past 3 or four years.

The map also shows what a great alternative Elston Ave is compare to Milwaukee.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Steven Vance on February 22, 2011 at 12:20pm

You're welcome. I'm trying to obtain data from 2005 and 2006.

If you want to see automated bike counts CDOT took in 2009, you'll have to bug them to release the report.

J M said:

Thanks for putting this out there Steven.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Steven Vance on February 22, 2011 at 12:26pm

I recently moved to Avondale and I can easily access Elston (in spitting distance) or Milwaukee Avenue (5 minutes away).

I much prefer Milwaukee.

About Elston: I don't like the constantly changing geometry of the road that moves the bike lane towards the curb in some parts, away from the curb in other parts, around right turn lanes into Best Buy/Kohl's, or the 340 feet of "open hunting season" when you cross Ashland at Armitage.

Elston also had a lot of potholes in the bike lane - some of them are "normal" while others are because of sunken sewer covers or grates. Then there's the constant threat of drivers turning into and out of the constant strip mall driveways.

Around Morton Salt, going northbound, you have a huge opportunity for a right hook, and you have to take it carefully over the embedded railroad tracks and then the concrete pavement where the road was cut for electrical or sewer access.

Kelvin Mulcky said:

I guess you're right. But, Elston is safer, right? I ride both streets all the time (between Augusta and Foster) and prefer Elston. There are a few factors not referenced on the map that made me think that Elston is safer: 1. Wider and more defined bike lanes 2. Less cab traffic 3. Less retail development 4. less bike traffic

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on February 22, 2011 at 12:49pm

I prefer Milwaukee myself as well although Elston isn't too bad except for a few spots. Milwaukee has a LOT more bike traffic and the cars seem to be more used to seeing bikes while Elston is a ghost town.

There is that section going south on Elston just past Staples and the Tennis complex coming up on Fullerton where the cars will run your ass right over trying to get in the right lane to eventually (maybe) turn right. Also, if you heading towards downtown and are attempting to turn left onto Damon to go to North over the bridge towards Menards or Costco you are taking your own life in your hands sitting in that intersection -especially since the oncoming light stays green even after your light turns red and you are stuck in that intersection like a sitting duck for a LONG time. This is true whether you are on a bike or even in a car. At least in a car they (probably) won't run your butt over.

That whole intersection at Damon/Fullerton/Elston is totally fracked up and dangerous for everyone IMHO -especially bikes. And since fewer bikes ride on Elston the cars are looking for us as much. Milwaukee is much more friendly as it is Hipster Highway and cars know it and have accepted us being there.