Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Andy J on October 14, 2017 at 3:06am

I have to agree with many of the authors points, including a number made in a similar critique off the Chicago Ave. PBLs in Evanston.

Amen to new biking infrastructure!!!! But, it seems like a lot of trouble is being made because the designers are in denial. When you add a protected bike line, the previous two-way intersection is now a three (or four) way.

It's not easy, but we make this for all the time in other areas. Of course, that's because we can impose on motorists for other "real" users of the road.

Permalink Reply by David Henri on October 14, 2017 at 4:05am

It appears that they can certainly do a better job at placing the signals than they have.  They do appear to get lost in the background.  On Dearborn I've barely missed getting left hooked several times when a driver decides to make a left against the double red no left turn arrows.

Permalink Reply by Maurice on October 14, 2017 at 5:19pm

I'm not inclined to blame the signals when there are sooo many asshole drivers who would right hook their own mother if they thought it would get them to Starbucks 3 seconds faster. Hell, only one block west of this intersection, there is a clear "no right turn" sign that is routinely ignored.

Permalink Reply by Alex Z on October 16, 2017 at 2:42am

I agree that the problem is that (some) users are inattentive, not that the signals are bad.

IME there are far far fewer illegal lefts off of Dearborn now than there were in 2013. I think it takes a bit of time for the driving population to fully grok the new "rules."

Permalink Reply by Mark on October 16, 2017 at 3:45am

This is a good distinction, but I think many drivers give more heed to left turn arrows than right turn arrows.  I think this will always be an issue even over time in trying to control cars making right turns.  Given the longstanding right-on-red law, many drivers think any right turn is their legal right.

Permalink Reply by Alex Z on October 16, 2017 at 5:43am

Good point. Drivers are "used to" turning right on red as a general rule.

Permalink Reply by David Barish on October 16, 2017 at 2:56am

I agree that the signals can  be a problem. What  I do not  know  is the  solution.  I think Alex Z. hit the  problem  in  that drivers can  be inattentive.  I  think  cyclists and  pedestrians as well can  be inattentive. The question is how  do we deal with  the reality  of that inattention?  Frankly, the intersection is easier now because  construction  at 77.  W. Washington,  where I work, has made the bike lane  almost  impossible to  use.   The sidewalk is closed and  pedestrians (ignoring  many signs) walk through  the  bike lane.  The lane cannot  be  safely used at much more  than  5 mph.  Once it is back  to normal speed the  problems in the article will  reappear.

Permalink Reply by Argonne69 on October 16, 2017 at 3:39am

A crossing gate that comes down in front of the left lane traffic could do the trick.

Permalink Reply by V W on October 16, 2017 at 12:37pm

It would be nice to see some enforcement. I have yet to see one person blowing through the red light at a no turn on red sign get pulled over. I'll have the green light for the bike lane and they will be rolling right on through, I'll routinely yell and gesture at their red light. Some drivers thank me and stop, but most look at the sign and then keep going anyway.

Permalink Reply by Maurice on October 17, 2017 at 10:24am

This morning, I followed a bunch of bike cops down Washington. When I first saw them, they were riding past a truck unloading in the bike lane (right around the corner from a loading dock) and didn't say anything to the driver. At Wells, 2 vehicles were stopped in the bike lane, having blown the red light, and waiting for pedestrians to clear so they could illegally turn. Again, the bike cops didn't say anything.

Permalink Reply by Cheryl on October 17, 2017 at 10:44am

Which not only fails to enforce the rules, but gives the impression that these behaviors are condoned. SMH.

Permalink Reply by Maurice on October 17, 2017 at 12:19pm

Forgot to mention that:

- When I got to the portion of the "protected" bike lane next to the closed sidewalk, there were 2 officers walking side by side down the middle of the bike lane, blocking it completely.

- After I turned, I promptly got buzzed by a CPD SUV who passed me within a foot while going about 45 MPH because he wanted to beat me to a red light.

  

The moral is that we can't expect CPD to enforce the rules. It has to be Dept. of Revenue and other ticket writers.