"Transportation Equity on Chicago's Streets" on Huffington Post

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on January 21, 2014 at 9:47am

Clark through Andersonville is often similar to the Loop for me - congested with slow vehicle speeds reducing the chances of a high speed collision.

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Permalink Reply by Eli on January 21, 2014 at 10:13am

Right in the heart of Andersonville it's not bad. South of Foster traffic is moving much faster while the lanes remain narrow, though it's still quite rideable. North of Ridge/Peterson is a whole different ball game.

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Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on January 21, 2014 at 11:46am

From Ridge/Peterson to Devon, it's more like a stroad.

Eli said:

Right in the heart of Andersonville it's not bad. South of Foster traffic is moving much faster while the lanes remain narrow, though it's still quite rideable. North of Ridge/Peterson is a whole different ball game.

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Permalink Reply by Renee Patten on January 21, 2014 at 6:07pm

Thanks for reading! Your 1st paragraph summed up what my friend's points were, although she did call me today and wants to go car-free so maybe something hit the right tone with her!

More personally my feelings about Clark are partially related to the anxiety I feel riding there because the worst collision I had was in Aville (and car was moving slow). I usually take the lane, but I constantly notice drivers not seeing me. If I wasn't always aware and overly cautious, then it would not be OK, and when thinking about safe streets for everyone, all types of riders and pedestrians, the strip could use a lot of improvements. Improvements that would help pedestrians too (curb extensions/ less drivers).

Since I live in the neighborhood, I also sent this to the Aville Development Corp and EcoAndersonville, they knew I was writing this and I hope they may consider these ideas in future neighborhood plans. 

Separated bike facilities and greenways, and safe arterial & bridge routes everywhere!

Jeff Schneider said:

There are always larger issues.  How can you worry about bicycling when schools are closing?  How can you buy a new coat when people are homeless?  Ad infinitum... We still have to work on the smaller issues, too.

However, I have to say that, contrary to your experience, I actually find Clark St. in Andersonville to be one of the more pleasant streets on which to ride.  That's because it's usually congested, cars are moving slowly, and it's easy for me to take the lane and be safe from dooring, right hooks, etc.  I have the same feeling about Broadway between Diversey and Belmont.

Where *I* would prefer to see bike infrastructure is on arterials where there is no parallel residential street that can be used as an alternate route.  For example, where Diversey crosses the river, or where Logan crosses the expressway.

That said, I still found your article to be interesting and intelligent.

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Permalink Reply by Juan 2-3 or more mi. on January 22, 2014 at 11:04am

Nice article.

YES! more of these types of urban planning ideas. Those larger issues may benefit from such implementations.

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Permalink Reply by Duppie on January 22, 2014 at 11:12am

Did you talk to them while writing this article? I know they have had plans to make a public space out of one off the connector streets between Clark and Ashland (like Berwyn). I’d be curious to hear whether they have any updates.

Also, to put things in perspective: Eco-Andersonville wasn’t always around. When the Clark streetscape was redesigned about 10-12 years ago, the plan was to put in bump-outs. The Chamber of Commerce actively advocated against these bump outs. Their concern was the free flow of car traffic. How times have changed.

Renee Patten said:

Thanks for reading! Your 1st paragraph summed up what my friend's points were, although she did call me today and wants to go car-free so maybe something hit the right tone with her!

More personally my feelings about Clark are partially related to the anxiety I feel riding there because the worst collision I had was in Aville (and car was moving slow). I usually take the lane, but I constantly notice drivers not seeing me. If I wasn't always aware and overly cautious, then it would not be OK, and when thinking about safe streets for everyone, all types of riders and pedestrians, the strip could use a lot of improvements. Improvements that would help pedestrians too (curb extensions/ less drivers).

Since I live in the neighborhood, I also sent this to the Aville Development Corp and EcoAndersonville, they knew I was writing this and I hope they may consider these ideas in future neighborhood plans. 

Separated bike facilities and greenways, and safe arterial & bridge routes everywhere!

Jeff Schneider said:

There are always larger issues.  How can you worry about bicycling when schools are closing?  How can you buy a new coat when people are homeless?  Ad infinitum... We still have to work on the smaller issues, too.

However, I have to say that, contrary to your experience, I actually find Clark St. in Andersonville to be one of the more pleasant streets on which to ride.  That's because it's usually congested, cars are moving slowly, and it's easy for me to take the lane and be safe from dooring, right hooks, etc.  I have the same feeling about Broadway between Diversey and Belmont.

Where *I* would prefer to see bike infrastructure is on arterials where there is no parallel residential street that can be used as an alternate route.  For example, where Diversey crosses the river, or where Logan crosses the expressway.

That said, I still found your article to be interesting and intelligent.

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Permalink Reply by Renee Patten on January 22, 2014 at 1:57pm

I talked to Brian during the writing process, who is EcoAville's sustainability coordinator(?) and sent him the article when it was published (haven't heard back yet though).

That would be awesome if they followed through on plans to make a car-free public space. I did a research project for a course at DePaul and shared it with them, that was one of my ideas in there too. 

I did not know about the old plan, interesting to think about (been in Chicago 7 years and on my 3rd in Aville). I get to it in the article, but recently CDOT and the city adoptive these new complete street policies and design guidelines that ideally those will be provide the support needed moving forward.  

I really do think curb extensions would do wonders. 

Duppie said:

Did you talk to them while writing this article? I know they have had plans to make a public space out of one off the connector streets between Clark and Ashland (like Berwyn). I’d be curious to hear whether they have any updates.

Also, to put things in perspective: Eco-Andersonville wasn’t always around. When the Clark streetscape was redesigned about 10-12 years ago, the plan was to put in bump-outs. The Chamber of Commerce actively advocated against these bump outs. Their concern was the free flow of car traffic. How times have changed.

Renee Patten said:

Thanks for reading! Your 1st paragraph summed up what my friend's points were, although she did call me today and wants to go car-free so maybe something hit the right tone with her!

More personally my feelings about Clark are partially related to the anxiety I feel riding there because the worst collision I had was in Aville (and car was moving slow). I usually take the lane, but I constantly notice drivers not seeing me. If I wasn't always aware and overly cautious, then it would not be OK, and when thinking about safe streets for everyone, all types of riders and pedestrians, the strip could use a lot of improvements. Improvements that would help pedestrians too (curb extensions/ less drivers).

Since I live in the neighborhood, I also sent this to the Aville Development Corp and EcoAndersonville, they knew I was writing this and I hope they may consider these ideas in future neighborhood plans. 

Separated bike facilities and greenways, and safe arterial & bridge routes everywhere!

Jeff Schneider said:

There are always larger issues.  How can you worry about bicycling when schools are closing?  How can you buy a new coat when people are homeless?  Ad infinitum... We still have to work on the smaller issues, too.

However, I have to say that, contrary to your experience, I actually find Clark St. in Andersonville to be one of the more pleasant streets on which to ride.  That's because it's usually congested, cars are moving slowly, and it's easy for me to take the lane and be safe from dooring, right hooks, etc.  I have the same feeling about Broadway between Diversey and Belmont.

Where *I* would prefer to see bike infrastructure is on arterials where there is no parallel residential street that can be used as an alternate route.  For example, where Diversey crosses the river, or where Logan crosses the expressway.

That said, I still found your article to be interesting and intelligent.

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Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on January 22, 2014 at 1:58pm

I remember all the hoopla before the bumpouts went in, including the trial period where a temporary bollard installation was tested, with spray painted lines and plastic bollards indicating the outlines of planned bumpouts.  It turned out that the original configuration created too much of a pinch point, trapping cyclists. What we have now was slightly less aggressive than the original plan, but works well.  I thought it was great that they did the trial period, while accepting and listening to public input, before doing a permanent installation.

Duppie said:

Also, to put things in perspective: Eco-Andersonville wasn’t always around. When the Clark streetscape was redesigned about 10-12 years ago, the plan was to put in bump-outs. The Chamber of Commerce actively advocated against these bump outs. Their concern was the free flow of car traffic. How times have changed.

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