Who else has gone from serious commuting to nearly none due to...

a) lack of bike lanes, or

b) bike lanes that are commonly considered regular car traffic lanes, or

c) general mixed message of CDOT on maintaining our lanes?

I will say that for me, 3,000+ miles per year was not uncommon. My trek was between 6.5 and 9.5 miles each way (depending on route) and I rode 5 days a week, year round. I really loved it riding. For you marketers, demographers, I was replacing my bike every 18 months and getting tune ups three times a year (beyond my own tuneups.)

Now, as I see cars regularly use the bike lane on Damen, Elston, Milwaukee and Des Plaines, I question how I ever got so brave to ride in the first place.

We really need to ask ourselves if we are being heard and supported. I am seeing the tide turn toward driving and cars using the whole road.

Flame away.

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Permalink Reply by Yasmeen on June 3, 2015 at 4:10am

I do a 9-10 mile commute to Skokie and I've come to acknowledge where the more stressful points of my ride are - hard turns, less visibility to motorists, or places motorists commonly break the law with regards to the bike lane. I make sure not to ride too closely to cars to avoid doors (there is one particular stretch that is a frequent dooring hazard). 

So I'll either change my route to avoid the pain point or I will mentally acknowledge this is where I need to be super careful e.g. running children are a huge hazard for me on my return trip due to baseball games in the park so I take that part carefully and slowly. I feel that half the battle is becoming aware of where the commute feels painful and figuring out how best to address it. 

That said, yes, I completely agree, this is an ongoing issue we also need to address through advocacy and enforcement of legislation. 

Permalink Reply by Jason on June 4, 2015 at 4:11am

Ive been commuting for 10yrs.  

People tend to forget that we all need to deal w/ each other.

But of course a lot of folks tend to feel that their way is the only way.

So drivers hate cyclist, and cyclist hate drivers.  

Yes, drivers are going to enter the bike lane sometimes...and yes, cyclist are going to get in the way of cars.  Thats life in the city.  You just have to deal w/ it.

Just drive/bike defensive and youll be ok.  

In the summer months, I bike everywhere because traffic is crazy...and you end up getting to your destination quicker.

Permalink Reply by Tom A.K. on June 4, 2015 at 5:22am
+ 1
Jason said,
"We all need to
deal with each other !"

"Just deal with it !"

Cycle defensively, responsibly, and safely !
Permalink Reply by Craig S. on June 4, 2015 at 11:15am

I've been bike commuting in this city since 1990, long before painted bike lanes and I currently see no reason to stop.

Get off my lawn....

Permalink Reply by Jane on June 4, 2015 at 3:49pm

Just my 2c worth . . . .

The areas where i ride do have bike lanes, but the marking are so faded out that they are only really visible in perfect weather conditions, they disappear in rain and at dusk.

Lanes need to be highly visible to be taken seriously. A faded paint line does not prompt drivers to "think bike".

When I am in Europe, I see some amazing lanes, that are so visible that drivers cannot forget they are there! No major engineering needed, just some decent paint, and the whole mood changes!

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