I rode today. Did you?

Nice first ride in the COLD.

 

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Permalink Reply by WillG on March 6, 2013 at 6:31am

Spence, no one is forcing you to read these threads, are they?

I appreciate Adam's info and I agree with him. The city made a tremendous, and almost unprecedented, effort to provide a protected bike lane through the Loop. They made a big deal about it when it opened, it was part of Rahm's campaign promises. Do you not agree that it should be maintained? Do you not agree that the city should do what they have promised to do (e.g. plates over grates)?

The squeaky wheel gets the oil. Let's continue to be vocal about the good and bad things that the city is doing to with respect to the new PBLs.

spencewine said:

I mean you and your constant whining about Dearborne is silly. I think you should consider taking an alternative route so as to spare us- it's getting incredibly tedious.


Adam Herstein (5.5 mi) said:

If by silly you mean that it's silly that the city doesn't maintain their protected bike lanes, then I agree.

spencewine said:

This is starting to get silly.

Adam Herstein (5.5 mi) said:

The fact that Dearborn is now the worst part of my commute, when it's supposed to be the best is telling. All of the other streets I took today were mostly clear, even ones with buffered/door zone lanes. Dearborn is already riddled with potholes and slick manhole covers, and the snow just makes it that much worse. The two-way bikeway is just not wide enough to have 25% of it unusable due to snow. Why can't the city manage to keep their "flagship" bike lane clear?

Lisa Curcio 4.0 mi said:

Other than that last photo which seems to be the building with the ongoing snow problem it does not look that bad.

Permalink Reply by spencewine on March 6, 2013 at 6:44am

Not really sure what you mean by that. Reading threads kinda goes along with the territory of participating in a forum, that said, if I could hide Adam's threads/comments - I would in a heartbeat. When complaining about Dearborne spills into multiple threads, it's getting ridiculous. We all know Adam's issues with it. Telling us over and over again isn't really accomplishing much, is it. I mean, Dearborne could be reduced to one lane of traffic and the PBL could be 25 feet wide and he would still find a way to complain about it. It's making mountains out of molehills. We're lucky to have a city interested in spending money (that it doesn't have) on infrustructure for bicyclists. 
 
Will G - 10mi said:

Spence, no one is forcing you to read these threads, are they?

I appreciate Adam's info and I agree with him. The city made a tremendous, and almost unprecedented, effort to provide a protected bike lane through the Loop. They made a big deal about it when it opened, it was part of Rahm's campaign promises. Do you not agree that it should be maintained? Do you not agree that the city should do what they have promised to do (e.g. plates over grates)?

The squeaky wheel gets the oil. Let's continue to be vocal about the good and bad things that the city is doing to with respect to the new PBLs.

spencewine said:

I mean you and your constant whining about Dearborne is silly. I think you should consider taking an alternative route so as to spare us- it's getting incredibly tedious.


Adam Herstein (5.5 mi) said:

If by silly you mean that it's silly that the city doesn't maintain their protected bike lanes, then I agree.

spencewine said:

This is starting to get silly.

Adam Herstein (5.5 mi) said:

The fact that Dearborn is now the worst part of my commute, when it's supposed to be the best is telling. All of the other streets I took today were mostly clear, even ones with buffered/door zone lanes. Dearborn is already riddled with potholes and slick manhole covers, and the snow just makes it that much worse. The two-way bikeway is just not wide enough to have 25% of it unusable due to snow. Why can't the city manage to keep their "flagship" bike lane clear?

Lisa Curcio 4.0 mi said:

Other than that last photo which seems to be the building with the ongoing snow problem it does not look that bad.

Permalink Reply by Adam Herstein on March 6, 2013 at 7:02am

I will stop complaining when the city addresses the issues I have with the Dearborn bike lane.

spencewine said:

Not really sure what you mean by that. Reading threads kinda goes along with the territory of participating in a forum, that said, if I could hide Adam's threads/comments - I would in a heartbeat. When complaining about Dearborne spills into multiple threads, it's getting ridiculous. We all know Adam's issues with it. Telling us over and over again isn't really accomplishing much, is it. I mean, Dearborne could be reduced to one lane of traffic and the PBL could be 25 feet wide and he would still find a way to complain about it. It's making mountains out of molehills. We're lucky to have a city interested in spending money (that it doesn't have) on infrustructure for bicyclists. 
 
Will G - 10mi said:

Spence, no one is forcing you to read these threads, are they?

I appreciate Adam's info and I agree with him. The city made a tremendous, and almost unprecedented, effort to provide a protected bike lane through the Loop. They made a big deal about it when it opened, it was part of Rahm's campaign promises. Do you not agree that it should be maintained? Do you not agree that the city should do what they have promised to do (e.g. plates over grates)?

The squeaky wheel gets the oil. Let's continue to be vocal about the good and bad things that the city is doing to with respect to the new PBLs.

spencewine said:

I mean you and your constant whining about Dearborne is silly. I think you should consider taking an alternative route so as to spare us- it's getting incredibly tedious.


Adam Herstein (5.5 mi) said:

If by silly you mean that it's silly that the city doesn't maintain their protected bike lanes, then I agree.

spencewine said:

This is starting to get silly.

Adam Herstein (5.5 mi) said:

The fact that Dearborn is now the worst part of my commute, when it's supposed to be the best is telling. All of the other streets I took today were mostly clear, even ones with buffered/door zone lanes. Dearborn is already riddled with potholes and slick manhole covers, and the snow just makes it that much worse. The two-way bikeway is just not wide enough to have 25% of it unusable due to snow. Why can't the city manage to keep their "flagship" bike lane clear?

Lisa Curcio 4.0 mi said:

Other than that last photo which seems to be the building with the ongoing snow problem it does not look that bad.

Permalink Reply by Skip Montanaro 0mi on March 6, 2013 at 7:10am

I can think of at least one way it might help.  It can serve as a reminder to CDOT and Active Trans folks that there are still problems with the Dearborn bike lane (or steel grate bridges, or the LFT, or, ...).  I understand that everybody has multiple things on their plate.  They get something done, then move on to something else.  More likely, they are juggling multiple things at once, trying to keep them all moving forward.  Time passes.  Then they see messages suggesting that all is not well with the first something.  "Oh yeah.  I need to call the damn contractor and bug him again about those steel plates."  Or, "I need to check with <whoever> to make sure they are moving on the potholes on Dearborn."  Etc.  Someone commented about squeaky wheels.  Unfortunately, that seems to be the way things work.  Nothing happens unless you're vocal (often repeatedly vocal) about problems you encounter.  We all understand that you personally can't do anything about the problems, otherwise they would have been done by now.  But, since you're not in charge, we have to deal with the people who are, in the only way available.

spencewine said:

Telling us over and over again isn't really accomplishing much, is it.

Permalink Reply by spencewine on March 6, 2013 at 7:14am

Although your false sense of entitlement is quite stunning, I'm doubtful the city cares too much about what you have to say about Dearborn on the Chainlink. Please.... instead of complaining here, join an advisory council or start a club or something.
 
Adam Herstein (5.5 mi) said:

I will stop complaining when the city addresses the issues I have with the Dearborn bike lane.

spencewine said:

Not really sure what you mean by that. Reading threads kinda goes along with the territory of participating in a forum, that said, if I could hide Adam's threads/comments - I would in a heartbeat. When complaining about Dearborne spills into multiple threads, it's getting ridiculous. We all know Adam's issues with it. Telling us over and over again isn't really accomplishing much, is it. I mean, Dearborne could be reduced to one lane of traffic and the PBL could be 25 feet wide and he would still find a way to complain about it. It's making mountains out of molehills. We're lucky to have a city interested in spending money (that it doesn't have) on infrustructure for bicyclists. 
 
Will G - 10mi said:

Spence, no one is forcing you to read these threads, are they?

I appreciate Adam's info and I agree with him. The city made a tremendous, and almost unprecedented, effort to provide a protected bike lane through the Loop. They made a big deal about it when it opened, it was part of Rahm's campaign promises. Do you not agree that it should be maintained? Do you not agree that the city should do what they have promised to do (e.g. plates over grates)?

The squeaky wheel gets the oil. Let's continue to be vocal about the good and bad things that the city is doing to with respect to the new PBLs.

spencewine said:

I mean you and your constant whining about Dearborne is silly. I think you should consider taking an alternative route so as to spare us- it's getting incredibly tedious.


Adam Herstein (5.5 mi) said:

If by silly you mean that it's silly that the city doesn't maintain their protected bike lanes, then I agree.

spencewine said:

This is starting to get silly.

Adam Herstein (5.5 mi) said:

The fact that Dearborn is now the worst part of my commute, when it's supposed to be the best is telling. All of the other streets I took today were mostly clear, even ones with buffered/door zone lanes. Dearborn is already riddled with potholes and slick manhole covers, and the snow just makes it that much worse. The two-way bikeway is just not wide enough to have 25% of it unusable due to snow. Why can't the city manage to keep their "flagship" bike lane clear?

Lisa Curcio 4.0 mi said:

Other than that last photo which seems to be the building with the ongoing snow problem it does not look that bad.

Permalink Reply by David Barish on March 6, 2013 at 7:45am

Setting aside the dialogue above, I feel that grates on metal bridges are more important than the lane itself.  I have gotten along just fine without protected bike lanes for many years.  Bridges without grates are a hazard.  Many years ago a fellow rider started riding the sidewalk on the Wells St. Bridge at a time before the grates were put in.  He called it "the intended user route" in reference to the Boub court decision which promised him and I no protection against the City of Chicago.  The grates got us back off the sidewalk.  I completely understand why marked and protected lanes help especially with novice riders and kids. However, for me, putting in the grates and keeping the roads in decent condition are much more important factors for my well-being and safety.

That being said, Adam, your important point loses a bit of its vitality with repetition ad infinitum. We all know how you feel, and many of us agree.  If you continue to preach you annoy the choir. We are on the same side.  :-)

Permalink Reply by Sue Clark on March 6, 2013 at 8:07am

Oh yay, kerfuffle. Where's the popcorn?

I haven't had too many problems on the open-grate bridges until yesterday. The Halsted bridge was pretty slick last night, and I skipped Dearborn this morning and took Clark instead.

Permalink Reply by Adam Kitzmann on March 6, 2013 at 8:25am

+1. The grates (aside for traffic) are the most dangers aspect of riding in the city IMO. During the winter they go from being hazards to being damn near life threatening. I really hope the city can do something about that. As far as bike lanes go, what can be said on The Chainlink that hasn't already be said and argued over 1000 times already. 

David Barish said:

Setting aside the dialogue above, I feel that grates on metal bridges are more important than the lane itself.  I have gotten along just fine without protected bike lanes for many years.  Bridges without grates are a hazard.  Many years ago a fellow rider started riding the sidewalk on the Wells St. Bridge at a time before the grates were put in.  He called it "the intended user route" in reference to the Boub court decision which promised him and I no protection against the City of Chicago.  The grates got us back off the sidewalk.  I completely understand why marked and protected lanes help especially with novice riders and kids. However, for me, putting in the grates and keeping the roads in decent condition are much more important factors for my well-being and safety.

That being said, Adam, your important point loses a bit of its vitality with repetition ad infinitum. We all know how you feel, and many of us agree.  If you continue to preach you annoy the choir. We are on the same side.  :-)

Permalink Reply by Adam Herstein on March 6, 2013 at 8:45am

Not necessarily. A lot of people here chose to stop riding Dearborn until conditions improve. How are they supposed to know that they have not improved if no one is talking about it?

David Barish said:

That being said, Adam, your important point loses a bit of its vitality with repetition ad infinitum. We all know how you feel, and many of us agree.  If you continue to preach you annoy the choir. We are on the same side.  :-)

Permalink Reply by Barclor on March 6, 2013 at 9:06am

So, the question is "...did you?" The answer: Yes.

Here's some video of last night's commute home.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4TR77B4Z8Q&feature=youtu.be

Permalink Reply by Gene Tenner on March 6, 2013 at 9:13am

U da man.

Barclor said:

Here's some video of last night's commute home.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4TR77B4Z8Q&feature=youtu.be

Permalink Reply by David Barish on March 6, 2013 at 9:15am

As to how bad the conditions are...that is a judgement call and a personal opinion.  I don't see as large of an issue as you.  That being said, conditions are not great.  My problem with the lane is it is really slow. its not slow because of conditions. Its slow because of the reality of timing the lights etc.  I find that I stop almost every block.  Conditions are not great but are they really any worse than any other street?

At this point we have a titanic degree of thread drift. Sorry for my contribution. This would all be appropriate in the Dearborn thread.  Julie?  In any case, had the lane opened in Spring I think the public would have gotten used to it by the time Winter rolled around and things might be different as regards cabs, pedestrians etc. We all expect a greater volume of traffic in the lane during warmer weather. Insofar as loose snow etc, it sucks but its Winter.  Some of our complaining has done some good.  It seems some buildings are no longer, or at least less often, simply dumping snow in the lane. 

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