What Do You Think Of The Separated Bike Path Lanes?

Finally had a chance to ride the Lake Front Path over the weekend and even though it's just a few short stretches, I LOVE having two separated paths. I'm guessing it's not quite done? They don't have any signage at the entry points and as you can see in the pics, a lot of people seem a little confused as to which is which. 

Sarah D. celebrating the new separate path

Me, feeling super happy about having a single-use path. As you can see, a few confused cyclists in the background, using the ped path.

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Permalink Reply by Ernesto Lube on August 29, 2017 at 3:11am

yes, it is a bit confusing. So going north, the left lanes are cycling only? (where you are).

Permalink Reply by Sean Newby on August 29, 2017 at 4:05am

have they opened the stretch from North Avenue (by the pedestrian bridge) through to Fullerton yet? because if that stretch hasn't been opened up yet there isn't really anything to indicate which is the bike lane and which is the ped lane.

the lack of signage and incomplete pavement markings is indeed an issue - i would have thought pavement markings would be made at the same time the striping was laid down. i am a little concerned at how the city has (temporarily? i hope?) terminated the bike lane just north of Theater on the Lake. there is no signage telling anyone to expect mixed traffic merging, and the path pretty much dead ends at a light pole?!

finally, speaking of confused users - i just love the runner using the striped off buffer area instead of any of the two actual lanes. i really hope this does not become the norm, although i suspect it will.

Permalink Reply by Yasmeen on August 29, 2017 at 5:39am

I hear you about the jogger but still so happy they nearly tripled the width of the path.

Permalink Reply by Josh L. on August 29, 2017 at 4:44pm

No, North to Fullerton. As of today there is one section just north of North that has to be finished. I assume they also will put some markings down before they open it up.  

I agree that they need some markings where it terminates north of the Theater. I bike it everyday so I know how it is set up but I am sure people will be confused.

Permalink Reply by JeffB on August 29, 2017 at 5:29am

It looks like the lanes furthest from the water will be the bike lanes, thankfully. They put down symbols at the start of the lane separations (southbound) at Fullerton and at Oak. Hopefully they'll put down more in between.

The stretch between Fullerton and North is not open yet (8/29), but it looks like they only need to stripe and label them. 

I'm a little confused by the middle lane in the top picture, the one to the left of the cross-striped buffer area (southbound). There are marked ped lanes to its left and marked bike lanes to its right.

Permalink Reply by Sean Newby on August 29, 2017 at 9:48am

i think that is supposed to be the equivalent to the crushed limestone that is on along the northbound edge of the ped lanes, and on either side of the LFT further north (in varying widths). seems to me that it would have made more sense, and done a better job of delineating the separate lanes, if the park district had installed a limestone barrier instead of just paving and striping all the way across.

but this is the city, maybe that is for the unspoken "phase 2" of the project!

Permalink Reply by Josh L. on August 29, 2017 at 4:45pm

There is still maybe 30 feet of path that has to be paved. Assume it will be done this week.

Permalink Reply by Yasmeen on August 29, 2017 at 10:44am

Was that a "get off of my lawn!!!"?

More? YES please! So much of it is concrete. So there's that. 

Permalink Reply by Alex Z on August 30, 2017 at 2:41am

Despite the congestion of the path as it existed, I'm sympathetic to this point about adding asphalt on the lakefront.

They should compensate by removing some parking. :)

Permalink Reply by Argonne69 on August 30, 2017 at 8:51am

It was similar down on the south side at Jackson Park.

Permalink Reply by Argonne69 on August 30, 2017 at 4:24am

Ummm, I do believe the ordnance relates to buildings and building heights, not facilities that allow the public to enjoy the lakefront. So you think they should just keep the dangerous situation? Rip up all the pavement, and plant grass? Tear up the tennis courts and skateboard parks?

I'd estimate that less than 10% of the property on the lakefront is paved.

Permalink Reply by Thomas M. Anger (Mike) on September 3, 2017 at 1:48am

If cip had been hit or almost hit by a cyclist while enjoying nature along the Lakeshore path perhaps he would be more sympathetic to the split path plan, which, by the way, is also underway well south of 800 N. Michigan.  I am speaking as a cyclist who rides that path (carefully) 4 days a week.

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