The Chainlink

I traveled Roosevelt eastbound today between Halsted and Michigan, feeling most unwelcome (cars using the bike and bus lanes for scootching ahead even though the traffic was light). The lane lines and bike symbols seemed to have been actively rubbed out. Is riding this stretch officially discouraged? I know there is a new protected lane on 18th.

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I don't like that bike lane at all and usually avoid it. Cars go too fast and feeling sandwiched (a la Frogger) between cars  isn't very comforting:).

I'm sorry you had to experience that. I will do almost anything to avoid riding on Roosevelt, but given no other choice I will usually ride the sidewalk as I don't feel safe in the street.

What was your ultimate destination? Taylor to Canal to something may have been preferable.

Roosevelt is one of my least favorite bike lines. I do a lot of riding between Michigan and Canal. It's unpleasant to say the least.

The lane markings are just worn.  The bike lane designation was never removed.  It's never been a pleasant place to ride.  I'll second Howard's suggestion of Taylor to Canal, or suggest 18th if that's more convenient to your destination.  Either is a more pleasant alternative to Roosevelt. 

Roosevelt and Canal are the most disrespected bike lanes in the city. I do love the rush of danger though!

Most disrespected - true and not an enviable title.  Great place to get an adrenaline rush if you haven't had your caffeine yet.  ;)

NYC said:

Roosevelt and Canal are the most disrespected bike lanes in the city. I do love the rush of danger though!

Probably some element of "poorly placed" in that mix. I like to think that better decisions on bike lane placement are being made, but I think that still remains to be seen.

NYC said:

Roosevelt and Canal are the most disrespected bike lanes in the city.

1. Roosevelt - it's like riding on a highway.
2. Canal - but I do love seeing the skells waiting for the Megabus.
3. Dearborn left lane - the poorly timed lights keep the traffic pretty slow by comparison.

If by "poorly placed" you mean where it goes on the road, yes the jury is still out. But if you meant which street then it looks like at least some better decisions are being made. Canal and Clinton are being replaced by Jefferson and something (or is Jefferson gonna be another two-way?) right?

h' said:

Probably some element of "poorly placed" in that mix. I like to think that better decisions on bike lane placement are being made, but I think that still remains to be seen.

NYC said:

Roosevelt and Canal are the most disrespected bike lanes in the city.

I mean which street, primarily. Yes, it -seems- that better decisions are being made, but it's still a little premature to gauge follow-through.

14th place was a near-perfect e/w route across the span between Halsted and the train yard before UPS stole it and closed it off. I was excited to hear from a CDOT bike staffer  a few years ago that Taylor was supposed to be built out east of Canal and was going to replace Roosevelt as the preferred bike corridor, but that seems to have "gone away."

I would be perfectly happy to let  the heavy motor traffic have Roosevelt, in favor of other options-- I don't think it can be saved.

Maybe a good road diet would help Roosevelt?  We bike to the big box shops there sometimes -- Target, Whole Foods, etc. -- and biking that lane gives me heart palpitations, particularly with kids on my bike.

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