The Chainlink

Rant about the LFP

I ride on the LFP quite a bit. I commute in from the north every day and (lamentably) do all my long rides during the week along the LFP. Weekends I go elsewhere, I'd rather eat sand than try to ride along the LFP on Sat/Sun. I move pretty fast I suppose.

Runners, please, I beg you, LOOK BEFORE YOU CROSS. My god, I cant even count how many crashes and near-misses I've seen because runners get careless and dont bother to simply look before they move over/cross the path. A two second glance would solve about 80% of all accidents along the path. What I really cant figure out are the runners who abruptly cut off to the left for no reason. When I run or ride, I always go to some sort of point or marker, whether it's a building, drinking fountain, road, etc. It's at places like this that I'm usually more aware of people and cautious in general, because I expect some traffic tie-ups as people slow down. But some of these runners on the path will be in the middle of North Ave beach and for no discernible reason decide to dart over and turn around. They're not at a drinking fountain or anything, there doesn't seem to be any reason for it at all. And they NEVER look!!! I've almost killed/gotten killed about four times this year alone from this move and I cant even explain how terrifying it is. Last year a mother pushing a stroller did this to me and it was the closest call I've had to a major crash...it would've been a disaster.

I'm not going to slow down. I'm actually very safe, and I get just as pissed at dangerous riders. I'm sorry I dont yell out "on your left!" or "bike back!" every single time I approach someone to pass. I pass what seems like 250 people, I'm not going to yell a heads-up every single time. I'll do it if it's a closer call, like when you runners and other riders feel the need to travel two and three wide, or if there's a marathon training group (ugh, those are starting to ramp up now). Besides, it seems like half the time I yell something, it causes the person to get startled and they practically seem annoyed. In other words, I'll give you a heads-up if it's needed. Runners, on the other hand, ALWAYS need to look before crossing or moving over.

Has anyone ever asked the city about putting up some "Look Before You Cross" signs?

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Permalink Reply by Davo on June 12, 2013 at 9:57am

Perhaps there should be some signs indicating that people should look before they cross. My favorite is when you are by Oak street beach and a group of trixies are crossing the path like a brood of chickens, clucking at each other and deciding to go one way or another without rime or reason. That being said, their are signs in some areas that say slow zone.

Permalink Reply by Adam Herstein on June 12, 2013 at 10:10am

That's not the same as saying "I'm not going to slow down" and no one could have assumed anything else. The bottom line is that if you are finding yourself almost crashing into people on a regular basis, you either need to find a different route to work or change your riding behavior. I too am frustrated by people not looking and darting out in front of me, but I don't seem to have as many close calls as you do. You need to learn to account for idiotic behavior. You can't change their behavior, but you can change yours.

newfoundland said:

Okay let me clarify my comment about not slowing down. I slow down when I need to. If there's traffic I slow down. If I cant safely pass people I slow down. Riding by Oak St beach in the afternoon I slow down. Etc. I slow down where I need to in order to not get hurt or hurt others. What I'm not going to do is overall slow my pace by 5mph because someone thinks that 19 mph is inherently dangerous, that's what I mean when I say I'm not going to slow down. Sorry if this caused confusion, I assumed it was implied but I guess not. I ride fast most of the time and I slow down when I need to, period. I'm just tired of the easily avoidable stuff, and the not looking is the easiest of them all. 

Permalink Reply by Night Owl on June 12, 2013 at 10:12am

Courtesy, etiquette and safety are all relevant concerns that can help make the LFT a better experience, but sometime soon the Park District will have to realize that 70,000 users a day simply cannot be contained on 12 feet of asphalt.  

Permalink Reply by Adam Herstein on June 12, 2013 at 10:15am

Separate lanes for walking/running and biking are sorely needed – especially from Fullerton to Navy Pier. The only way to remove conflicts is to separate traffic by mode.

Night Owl said:

Courtesy, etiquette and safety are all relevant concerns that can help make the LFT a better experience, but sometime soon the Park District will have to realize that 70,000 users a day simply cannot be contained on 12 feet of asphalt.  

Permalink Reply by Davo on June 12, 2013 at 10:26am

Also implying anything on a discussion board like this leaves a wide window of interpretation especially with members of this site. A lot can be tongue in cheek so please don't get too dismayed by our responses. Im sure a majority of us feel you pain on the stupidity that happens on the LFT during the warmer months.

Permalink Reply by Adam Herstein on June 12, 2013 at 10:35am

Well, you did say one thing, then "clarified" it by saying the exact opposite.

newfoundland said:

No it was my fault for not being clear. I'm sure my clarification still isn't good enough for some folks but whatever.

Davo said:

Also implying anything on a discussion board like this leaves a wide window of interpretation especially with members of this site. A lot can be tongue in cheek so please don't get too dismayed by our responses. Im sure a majority of us feel you pain on the stupidity that happens on the LFT during the warmer months.

Permalink Reply by Tank-Ridin' Ryan on June 12, 2013 at 10:38am

Welcome to summer in Chicago.

Permalink Reply by JMinHP on June 12, 2013 at 11:37am

You can't fix stupid, only hope to manage it.  I think we can all agree that there is a lot of stupid when it comes to the LFP:  runners darting across the path , leTour hopefuls who must maintain 90rpm and 20mph, tourists unaware that the LFP is not a sidewalk, etc.  

The conversation needs to be on how to manage the stupid, including bikers/runners/walkers.  I did enjoy the spray painted signs last year (ATA?); not sure of their effectiveness but at least someone was trying.

Permalink Reply by Vitaliy on June 12, 2013 at 12:27pm

Ive seen a few threads like these recently and they are starting to worry me. Even though I seldom travel on the path I think a movement should be organized. If not that at least picket signs prodded on the sides of the path so that passer-bys can read it with ease. These signs should say something simple and should provide enough clarity that a 2 second glance will endure. A sign can say, for example, "RUNNERS~ Watch your backs at all times for cyclists" Or "If you are turning, look back for oncoming traffic" Something like that, succinct and meaningful. If we can come up with phrases, I would gladly help out under a more experienced hand.

Permalink Reply by Naomi Ruth Jackson on June 12, 2013 at 1:24pm

Huh, signs that advocate using common sense. How ironic. 


Vitaliy said:

Ive seen a few threads like these recently and they are starting to worry me. Even though I seldom travel on the path I think a movement should be organized. If not that at least picket signs prodded on the sides of the path so that passer-bys can read it with ease. These signs should say something simple and should provide enough clarity that a 2 second glance will endure. A sign can say, for example, "RUNNERS~ Watch your backs at all times for cyclists" Or "If you are turning, look back for oncoming traffic" Something like that, succinct and meaningful. If we can come up with phrases, I would gladly help out under a more experienced hand.

Permalink Reply by Crazy David 84 Furlongs on June 12, 2013 at 2:10pm

The problem with your "signs" like "Runners -- watch your backs at all times for cyclists" is that they will produce a result that YOU DO NOT WANT.   The other users will "rebel" and we will end up with enforced 8 MPH forest preserve speed limits on the LFP.   It happens.  Look at the MUP's in the Skokie Lagoons.   Guys like the original poster are going to ruin it for the rest of us.   Every community have their self-indulgent few that imperil the rest of the community.  It just happens that in Bicycling they are more obvious due to thinks such as Critical Mass and the "I won't regulate myself on the LFP" or "I won't stop at Red lights" set.

Permalink Reply by David P. on June 12, 2013 at 2:18pm

I, for one, welcome our new alien overlords do not think it is reasonable to expect someone to 'watch (their) back' at all times. Look before you turn, yes; watch your back, no. Would you want to have to do that? I wouldn't.

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