Wicker Park Committee votes against protected lanes on Milwaukee

DNA Info article says that Wicker Park Committee has voted against protected bike lanes on Milwaukee between North Avenue and Division due to concerns about the effects on motor vehicle parking.

 

"It would kill the merchants. For the sake of bikes you're disturbing vehicle and pedestrian traffic.  What are you going to do, walk a block and a half to cross the street? ... Why don't we create a second level bike lane that goes over the streets like the "L" tracks?" said Kevin O'Donnell, owner of Pint Bar, 1547 N. Milwaukee Ave.

 

O'Donnell, who has owned Pint for nine years, said parking is already tough on Milwaukee, "a corridor rich with retail and restaurants."

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Permalink Reply by Kevin T. on April 10, 2013 at 7:33am
In all honesty, I think there would be fights erupting if Milwaukee gets any worse, I avoid that street like the plague, even if it entails going out of the way a bit. The whole stretch from Division is a clusterf--k.
Permalink Reply by Tony Adams on April 10, 2013 at 7:45am

Fascinating that a BAR owner wants places for people to park their cars. I guess he has good dram shop insurance and no conscience whatsoever. I'm making a mental note to never spend a dime at Pint. 

Here is an unbroken link to the DNAInfo article.

Permalink Reply by Michelle S on April 10, 2013 at 7:45am
Permalink Reply by Lisa Curcio on April 10, 2013 at 7:46am

Anyone know what, if any, relationship there is between the Wicker Park Committee and the Wicker Park Bucktown Chamber of Commerce?  Or why Waguespack asked the Wicker Park Committee for feedback rather than the Wicker Park Bucktown Chamber of Commerce.  The Chamber of Commerce administers the SSA for the area through the Wicker Park Bucktown Organization and bike issues are a major focus of the organization's transportation committee.  Here are minutes from the March meeting:

http://wickerparkbucktown.org/site/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Trans...

 

It is also interesting that Waguespack took the lead on this since that stretch of Milwaukee is, at least at the moment, in the 1st Ward.

Of course comments quoted in reports like this are taken out of context, so it is really hard to make judgments on the overall discussion.  However, I doubt that more than two or three businesses on the entire stretch would be full to capacity if two people from every car that can park on one side of Milwaukee Avenue between Division and North were to show up at once.  And if they have "fly-over" space for the bikes, those folks on bikes will not stop at the businesses. 

I live in the neighborhood--near North and Ashland.  I would never think of trying to park on Milwaukee.  I walk or I ride my bike.  It is so much easier. 

Permalink Reply by Mike Zumwalt on April 10, 2013 at 8:00am

If they did put in a "bike lane" you know it would be parked in anyway, valets would use it and people would walk in it. 

They have potential spots for parking garages but not on Milwaukee unless people want to park in the 7-11 lot, the K-mart/Jewel lot and walk. They could also put one in next to the currency exchange on North ave.

A bridge over up Milwaukee where's THAT money going to come from? 

And you're right Lisa unless they put in bike racks and stairs down every block or so no bikes or people could get down and people would walk up there too, then we need cameras or police patrols.

Permalink Reply by Lisa Curcio on April 10, 2013 at 8:07am

By the way, Joe Hall, owner of Quick Release, is the chair of the WPB organization transportation committee.

Permalink Reply by Michael J Blane on April 10, 2013 at 8:09am

Fewer than 30 people voted. I'm surprised that low of a number is even a quorum.

Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on April 10, 2013 at 8:21am

+1

Tony Adams 6.6 mi said:

Fascinating that a BAR owner wants places for people to park their cars. I guess he has good dram shop insurance and no conscience whatsoever. I'm making a mental note to never spend a dime at Pint. 

Here is an unbroken link to the DNAInfo article.

Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on April 10, 2013 at 8:22am

Apparently not.

h' 1.0 said:

... Does this person know what a protected bilke lane is?

Permalink Reply by Lisa Curcio on April 10, 2013 at 8:23am

Cannot find a list of members, and cannot tell how many people usually attend the meetings, but they don't need much for a quorum:

"Section 3.2 Quorum. A quorum for the conduct of business at any membership meeting shall consist of ten percent (10%) of the current membership. When a quorum is present at any meeting, the vote of the majority of eligible voting members present shall decide any question brought before such meeting except as provided by Illinois law, the Articles of Incorporation, or these Bylaws."

Also, they were taking an advisory vote--not sure that could be considered to be business of the committee that would even require a quorum.
 
Michael J Blane said:

Fewer than 30 people voted. I'm surprised that low of a number is even a quorum.

Permalink Reply by millenial removing Bernie tattoo on April 10, 2013 at 8:30am

YES!!!!!!   GO WICKER PARK!!!!

 

We need to unite to stand up to protected bike lane thugs.

Permalink Reply by Mike Zumwalt on April 10, 2013 at 8:35am

Well he might have googled it and got something like this 

h' 1.0 said:

What are you going to do, walk a block and a half to cross the street? ...

I'm not saying there aren't valid arguments against it, but this is a certified load of crap.

Does this person know what a protected bilke lane is?

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