Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Tricolor on November 12, 2013 at 11:43am

Not that it was all that great before, of course.

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Permalink Reply by Reboot Oxnard on November 12, 2013 at 11:35pm

From the article:

Chicagoans need to adopt new behaviors to accommodate the new world order, observers say.

• Novice bicyclists must learn the rules and intangibles of the road
• early-adopter cyclists must stop riding the streets as if they're in the Tour de France
• pedestrians must stay out of bike paths;
• cabs must be more mindful of where they are picking up passengers; and
• cops must issue more tickets.

I wish he had included something about motorists (and passengers) learning to watch for bikes and staying out of bike lanes and giving a wide berth when passing but this is relatively balanced. Remember, cyclists are the change. We're the ones refusing to live by the old rules and demanding the world learn to adjust to our needs, to accommodate our wants. That's always going to create resistance.

Jeff Schneider said:

This author seems to think that the "growing pains" are due to bicyclists behaving badly, which can be overcome with the help of education and tougher law enforcement.  Apparently, in his world, drivers (with the possible exception of taxi drivers) are generally courteous, observant, and law-abiding.  Wow, I really doubt he has much experience cycling in the real world!

If you want to know the *truth*, read BikeSnobNYC's post from November 11.  IMO it's by far his best.

I don't defend and often criticize cyclists who act like jerks.  But they are not the biggest obstacle standing in the way of that happy world where we all safely share the road.  It really pisses me off when somebody suggests that.

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Permalink Reply by Reboot Oxnard on November 12, 2013 at 11:40pm

Which pretty well sums up the why behind the headline: Why everyone hates bicyclists - and why they hate everyone back.

Michelle said:

Also... I'm so sick of the "stop riding like you're in the tour de france" thing... it's so overused and obnoxious.

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Permalink Reply by Juan 2-3 or more mi. on November 13, 2013 at 11:05am

The industrial revolution's filth is catching up to us in the form of hurricanes, typhoons...

So glad to live in a city with people trying to live sustainably, even if it takes some growing pains. It will be well worth it, and I hope to see it accomplished in my lifetime.

Tricolor said:

Not that it was all that great before, of course.

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Permalink Reply by Tricolor on November 13, 2013 at 12:15pm

Well, the last coal yard on the north side closed in the early 70s and I don't think any buildings are running fuel oil anymore, either.

http://www.chicago-l.org/stations/images/Howard/berwyn01.jpg

Berwyn station in the 40s.  Looking east at the Edgewater Beach Hotel.  The coal yard is now a Jewel and was the last freight customer for the CTA.

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Permalink Reply by Dan Korn on November 13, 2013 at 9:14pm

I had more fun replying to the comments.  YMMV.

Rich S said:

I started reading the comments and stopped when I felt my blood pressure rising. Only took about 5 or 6. 

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Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on November 14, 2013 at 4:04am

I agree.  While there's still plenty of room for improvement, overall conditions for cycling are MUCH easier than in the 80s.

I think it has gotten way easier to bike in Chicago since I started riding here.

Drivers are much more aware and roads are way better than they were in the late 80s.

It will  get even better.

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Permalink Reply by Dan Korn on November 14, 2013 at 4:32am

But the media has gotten worse.  The "news" is much more sensationalistic now.

Anne Alt said:

I agree.  While there's still plenty of room for improvement, overall conditions for cycling are MUCH easier than in the 80s.

I think it has gotten way easier to bike in Chicago since I started riding here.

Drivers are much more aware and roads are way better than they were in the late 80s.

It will  get even better.

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Permalink Reply by S on November 14, 2013 at 6:20am

I disagree.  Between the full blown partisan papers that have existed for most of american history and the yellow journalism, I'd say that the media has been pretty biased until the 50s/60s.  But even the neutral reporting thing of the 60s and on has been due in large part to a homogenous society.

Dan Korn said:

But the media has gotten worse.  The "news" is much more sensationalistic now.

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Permalink Reply by Michelle on November 14, 2013 at 6:25am

I think the media choses what to hype up though - for example, it seems that they're having great fun fanning the flames of the bike/car controversy... when it really shouldn't be a controversy besides "how do we make it safer for everyone?" 

S said:

I disagree.  Between the full blown partisan papers that have existed for most of american history and the yellow journalism, I'd say that the media has been pretty biased until the 50s/60s.  But even the neutral reporting thing of the 60s and on has been due in large part to a homogenous society.

Dan Korn said:

But the media has gotten worse.  The "news" is much more sensationalistic now.

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Permalink Reply by leftoverbacon on November 14, 2013 at 7:16am

"The change is especially wrenching because Chicago, like most cities, is built for the car"

Draw a box. Wilmette on the North, Blue Island on the South, Pulaski Rd. (Crawford Ave) on the West, and Hammond, IN on the East. All of that was built out prior to the mass adoption of the automobile.

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Permalink Reply by S on November 14, 2013 at 7:31am

But that's always been the case whether it's the red scare of the 50s and 60s or the yellow journalism that helped to get the spanish-american war started or other events before.  The only difference is that media nowadays may be slightly less biased but also pretend to be fair, neutral sources of information.

Michelle said:

I think the media choses what to hype up though - for example, it seems that they're having great fun fanning the flames of the bike/car controversy... when it really shouldn't be a controversy besides "how do we make it safer for everyone?" 

S said:

I disagree.  Between the full blown partisan papers that have existed for most of american history and the yellow journalism, I'd say that the media has been pretty biased until the 50s/60s.  But even the neutral reporting thing of the 60s and on has been due in large part to a homogenous society.

Dan Korn said:

But the media has gotten worse.  The "news" is much more sensationalistic now.

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