The Chainlink

Wells Street at Merchandise Mart

Last week on our way to the MBAC meeting, we noticed cones.

Are those still there?

It was mentioned during the MBAC meeting, but I don't remember what they said about it. 

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Permalink Reply by Kevin C Dormant on June 21, 2012 at 10:38am

It was only for a couple of days while they painted a new bike lane(?). The cones are gone.

Permalink Reply by Kevin C Dormant on June 21, 2012 at 11:10am

Toldja. This just in.

Permalink Reply by Duppie on June 21, 2012 at 11:36am

Not to pick nits, but Steven Vance has a different explanation as to why the cones where there and why they are gone. And it has nothing to do with installation of a bike lane:

Ad hoc protected bike lane on N Wells in front of Merchandise Mart

Permalink Reply by Julie Aberman (Hochstadter) on June 21, 2012 at 11:47am

This just came to my inbox - 

Bikeways Update: Wells Street bike lane gets an upgrade!
 

Dear Julie,

Summer is officially underway with our first heat wave of the season, and more people are digging their bikes out of storage and hitting the streets. Here at Active Trans, we’re working harder than ever to make sure everyone’s ride is a good one.

There are lots of little things that make riding a bike in the city safer and easier, but we’re also thinking long term. Here are the big-ticket items we’re advocating for right now:

  • Installing 100 miles of protected bike lanes by 2015, as well as other innovative bikeways such as buffered bike lanes and neighborhood greenways.
  • Creating key biking corridors through Chicago’s North Side, South Side, West Side, and downtown.
  • Implementing the City of Chicago’s new Streets for Cycling Plan 2020, creating a safe network that reaches every neighborhood.

These elements will help create a comprehensive bikeway network, with the potential to significantly reduce crashes for people biking, walking and driving, while increasing the number of people who choose to go by bike.

We’re making solid progress with even more good news to share this week. Here’s what’s happening right now:

Wells Street buffered and priority bike lane
Wells Street has long been a popular route for North Side commuters into and out of the loop, so we’re thrilled to see construction crews this week start installing a new buffered bike lane from Chicago to Wacker. From Wacker to Van Buren, through the Loop, it’ll become Chicago’s first bicycle priority lane. This new bikeway also connects with Kinzie, providing people with safer cycling options while illustrating what a more integrated network of bikeways will look like.

Other ongoing construction
City crews are still installing new protected bike lanes on Elston, Franklin, Jackson and Lake. Be on the lookout for more green pavement and bollards on these streets.

We love watching the mileage totals grow every week, but we need to continue building support to ensure we hit the first 25 miles on the road to 100 miles of protected bike lanes and a slew of buffered bike lanes.

Help us spread the word -- please forward this e-mail or post a link to theNeighborhood Bikeways Campaign page on Facebook or Twitter.

Thanks, and stay tuned for more updates next week.

Lee Crandell
Director of Campaigns
Permalink Reply by in it to win it 8.0 mi on June 21, 2012 at 12:19pm

The new striping is really nice.  The lanes are wider and it appears they have hash marks that (I think) indicate the parked car "door zone."

Looling at the plans on the website looks like they are going to stripe for bicycles under the L on Wells all the way to Van Buren.  Will be way cool to see what I call "running the gauntlet" become bike friendlier!

 

Permalink Reply by Jenn_5.5 mi on June 21, 2012 at 12:35pm

Door Zone.... Ah! That makes sense! I was confused.

 

I would love a good bike lane under the L... I currently turn at off Wells at Lake, then Wabash to Monroe/Adams... I always take the lane because being under the L sucks. (And never have any problems with the drives, but a proper lane would be great!)

Permalink Reply by Adam Herstein on June 21, 2012 at 12:37pm

Nope, they're gone. A buffered lane has been put in though, with room for cars to illegally park on the right.

Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on June 21, 2012 at 12:38pm

The cones were nice -they couldn't last.  I'm sure there was a lot of complaining by drivers who couldn't block the bike lane.

I don't know what I would about Wells South of the MerchMart.   I'd love to see a road diet and there be a single car lane and a buffered bike lane.  Ain't gonna  happen though.  The planet-eaters would freak.

With all the new buffered and "protected" lanes going in it seems the over-all long-term plan for safe routes that actually hook up and go places is not really materializing.  Maybe in 10 years or so -but I'm not holding my breath.   If I had children I'd never let them ride in the loop until they turned 18 and I couldn't stop them.   It's a meat-grinder for anyone but the most experienced cyclists -who don't need any infrastructure at all. 

Permalink Reply by Adam Herstein on June 21, 2012 at 12:51pm

Honestly, the Loop is probably safer than most neighborhoods simply because of the constant traffic. Cars can rarely go more than 15-20 MPH — at least during rush hour — and that makes it much safer to be on a bike. My only issue involves crossing Wacker Drive.

James BlackHeron said:

The cones were nice -they couldn't last.  I'm sure there was a lot of complaining by drivers who couldn't block the bike lane.

I don't know what I would about Wells South of the MerchMart.   I'd love to see a road diet and there be a single car lane and a buffered bike lane.  Ain't gonna  happen though.  The planet-eaters would freak.

With all the new buffered and "protected" lanes going in it seems the over-all long-term plan for safe routes that actually hook up and go places is not really materializing.  Maybe in 10 years or so -but I'm not holding my breath.   If I had children I'd never let them ride in the loop until they turned 18 and I couldn't stop them.   It's a meat-grinder for anyone but the most experienced cyclists -who don't need any infrastructure at all. 

Permalink Reply by Allie O on June 21, 2012 at 1:10pm

I assumed the cones were there to prevent cabs from dropping Neocon attendees off on Wells St.

They seemed effective and were much appreciated!

Permalink Reply by Julie Aberman (Hochstadter) on June 21, 2012 at 2:59pm

I'm more familiar with regular city streets so for me downtown is scary.  I ride down there but don't know the right streets to take. 

Adam Herstein said:

Honestly, the Loop is probably safer than most neighborhoods simply because of the constant traffic. Cars can rarely go more than 15-20 MPH — at least during rush hour — and that makes it much safer to be on a bike. My only issue involves crossing Wacker Drive.

James BlackHeron said:

The cones were nice -they couldn't last.  I'm sure there was a lot of complaining by drivers who couldn't block the bike lane.

I don't know what I would about Wells South of the MerchMart.   I'd love to see a road diet and there be a single car lane and a buffered bike lane.  Ain't gonna  happen though.  The planet-eaters would freak.

With all the new buffered and "protected" lanes going in it seems the over-all long-term plan for safe routes that actually hook up and go places is not really materializing.  Maybe in 10 years or so -but I'm not holding my breath.   If I had children I'd never let them ride in the loop until they turned 18 and I couldn't stop them.   It's a meat-grinder for anyone but the most experienced cyclists -who don't need any infrastructure at all. 

Permalink Reply by Derek on June 21, 2012 at 3:34pm

The old bike lane on Wells in front of Merchandise Mart was right next to the curb and I've almost hit a few people stepping into the old bike lane to hail a cab.  There's now, what looks to be, a taxi loading lane immediately next to the curb with a freshly painted bike lane on the left.

It's a busy area. While the cones were up I noticed FAR more people standing in the bike lane to hail cabs.  The new bike lane position seems to be a good idea.  I'd rather just watch for a cab pulling out from the curb than pedestrians, doors and cabs.  Peds crossing from east to west over Wells in front of Merchandise Mart through stopped traffic have almost got me a few times.

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