What's this doing in the bike lane?

Share your pics, videos, streets, stories of what you find in the bike lane of the non-bike variety that has an impact on your ride and/or your safety. I've decided to keep it a little more open ended - cars, snow, buses, garbage, cabs, etc. If they shouldn't be in the bike lane, go ahead and add it to this thread. Please be safe if you are taking pics or video! :-) 

My hope is that we can collectively build some evidence of what we see when riding in the city with the overall hope of better enforcement of "bikes only" and improving maintenance. 

Update: More Hashtags to Capture Vehicles in the Bike Lane

With popular hashtags:
#BikeLaneShaming

#LaneSpreading (Chicago Bike Selling)

#ClearTheWay (ActiveTrans), there are many options to capture violations.

We think you should use ALL of them AND post your photos on The Chainlink. ;-)

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Steve Weeks on May 28, 2019 at 11:15am

I just now (May 28, 2019) received this response to a 311 report. This is why I'm not wasting my time anymore.

Hi Steve,
 
We are making progress! We're working on your Bicycle Request/Complaint service request SR18-00217849, which you submitted on 12/20/2018.
We recently completed the following step Determination Made.
Estimated completion time is 30 days from 12/20/2018. Please note estimated completion times may vary depending on request volume, time of year, and other factors.
We'll continue to send email updates on this request as the City completes work. You can also check the status of your request when you're logged into CHI 311 or the mobile app.
For additional assistance, call 311 or visit CHI 311.
Thanks for being a part of the CHI 311 community!
Permalink Reply by Bruce on May 28, 2019 at 3:08pm

Hi Steve,
i agree with the frustration but I do think that they are likely using some of the data to decide where to put in new infrastructure. I could be wrong but I hope I'm right.

For example, they are building new concrete barriers on Harrison. Of course, they aren't putting one (so it seems) right across from the Greyhound station where one is sorely needed.

And they did a really odd but perhaps useful thing in front of Dearborn Station.

Bruce

Permalink Reply by Steve Weeks on May 28, 2019 at 3:09pm

But wait... there's more! Four hours after the message above ^^ came an update:

Hi Steve,
 
We are making progress! We're working on your Inspect Public Way Survey service request SR18-00217849, which you submitted on 12/20/2018.
We recently completed the following step Investigation/Inspection.
Estimated completion time is 10 days from 12/20/2018. Please note estimated completion times may vary depending on request volume, time of year, and other factors.
Ketoguy, I have been having a little success with the Chicago Police Academy on Jackson by persistent bombardment with images of police vehicles parked in the lane there. The lanes will be clear for a while, but then recidivism rears its ugly head and I get out my camera again... and again.
Permalink Reply by Argonne69 on May 29, 2019 at 10:49am

I've submitted over 1300 reports, and have never heard back from the city. You must be special.

Permalink Reply by Steve Weeks on May 29, 2019 at 2:29pm

I don't think hearing something vague six months after the fact is a whole lot more special than not hearing anything.

Permalink Reply by Steve Weeks on May 30, 2019 at 12:12am

I don't know. Perhaps they're stunned by the sheer volume. Anyway, many of the offenders are private parties or at least don't have identification ("How's my driving? Call 1-800-EAT-SH!T"). I wonder if the news stations would be interested in this as a "Public interest" sort of thing. Then, again, I've seen a few camera trucks parked in the bike lanes...

Permalink Reply by Argonne69 on May 29, 2019 at 10:48am

225 N Franklin St. 311 report submitted.

9-40-060 Driving, standing or parking on bicycle paths or lanes prohibited. (a) The driver of a vehicle shall not drive, unless entering or exiting a legal parking space, or stand, or park the vehicle upon any on-street path or lane designated by official signs or markings for the use of bicycles, or otherwise drive or place the vehicle in such a manner as to impede bicycle traffic on such path or lane. The driver of a vehicle shall not stand or park the vehicle upon any lane designated by pavement markings for the shared use of motor vehicles and bicycles, or place the vehicle in such a manner as to impede bicycle traffic on such lane; provided, however, the driver of a bus may stop the bus in any such lane (i) at a designated bus stop for the purpose of loading or unloading of passengers, (ii) in case of an emergency; or (iii) as permitted in Section 9-48-050(d) of this Code. In addition to the fine provided in Section 9-4-025 of this Code, any vehicle parked in violation of this section shall be subject to an immediate tow and removal to a city vehicle pound or authorized garage.

Permalink Reply by Argonne69 on May 30, 2019 at 2:38am

NBC did a piece last year on it. Didn't seem to do much good. I imagine few people watch the evening news any more. BLU has been communicating with a number of companies, and has made a little progress.

Permalink Reply by Argonne69 on May 30, 2019 at 11:56am

35 N Franklin St. 311 report submitted.

Permalink Reply by Argonne69 on May 30, 2019 at 12:04pm

225 N Orleans St. 311 reports submitted. Bike Lane Uprising report #1199, #1200, and #1201.

9-40-060 Driving, standing or parking on bicycle paths or lanes prohibited. (a) The driver of a vehicle shall not drive, unless entering or exiting a legal parking space, or stand, or park the vehicle upon any on-street path or lane designated by official signs or markings for the use of bicycles, or otherwise drive or place the vehicle in such a manner as to impede bicycle traffic on such path or lane. The driver of a vehicle shall not stand or park the vehicle upon any lane designated by pavement markings for the shared use of motor vehicles and bicycles, or place the vehicle in such a manner as to impede bicycle traffic on such lane; provided, however, the driver of a bus may stop the bus in any such lane (i) at a designated bus stop for the purpose of loading or unloading of passengers, (ii) in case of an emergency; or (iii) as permitted in Section 9-48-050(d) of this Code. In addition to the fine provided in Section 9-4-025 of this Code, any vehicle parked in violation of this section shall be subject to an immediate tow and removal to a city vehicle pound or authorized garage.

Permalink Reply by Ed Livingston on June 2, 2019 at 4:22am

You should focus on the more obvious/egregious examples. Shots like these, where there is no obviously marked bike lane, seem frivolous. I get that they are probably technical violations, but honestly my reaction as a enforcement official would be - "guy's biking in rush hour traffic, what does he expect."

Permalink Reply by Bob Kastigar on June 2, 2019 at 4:55am

Ed is right.  I don't see any markings or indications that this is a bike lane.

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