Please stop riding in the wrong direction on Wabash.

It's getting absurd. On average about 3 times a week since the weather has gotten warmer, I've had run-ins with people ridding North on Wabash. Mostly in the turning lane areas or right before as I am trying to turn East onto Madison and etc. I'm not into playing "chicken" on my way to work or thrilled about having to swerve back into traffic to avoid you because you are going the wrong way.   On Tuesday, A guy on a bike ran a red light and plowed into me as I was going West on Madison.

Please start following common sense and the rules of the road. Please.

I am all for everyone biking, but this spring/summer seems worse than normal all over the city as far as fellow cyclists being completely inconsiderate to each other, pedestrians and vehicle traffic.

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Permalink Reply by Skip Montanaro 0mi on June 20, 2013 at 5:15am

Could Active Trans lobby the CPD to run a couple bike officers through that area periodically?

Permalink Reply by Juan 2-3 or more mi. on June 20, 2013 at 5:21am

Doubt if these perps are on the Chainlink...

Permalink Reply by Michelle Loomis on June 20, 2013 at 6:03am

People just shouldn't ride the wrong way in the bike lane ever. It seems like almost every time I go through Chinatown I encounter this.

Permalink Reply by Tim on June 20, 2013 at 6:18am

Although there is not a bike lane, it is super dangerous, obviously. I would say a fair amount are college kids, but the guy who hit me was wearing khakis and a polo. The lady yesterday looked like she was riding a folding bike with a flowers in a basket somehow attached the handlebars. I know Wabash is tempting with the parking lanes on either side of the El tracks, but as already stated, riding the  wrong way down any street is dangerous for everyone involved.

Sorry for whining, I'm just getting fed up with inconsiderate people.

Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on June 20, 2013 at 6:48am

I've been seeing a lot more salmoning in the Loop recently - on State, Clark, Madison, Wabash and other streets.  Not a good idea - for your own safety or anyone else's.

Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on June 20, 2013 at 6:48am

Yes, please!!!

Skip Montanaro 12mi said:

Could Active Trans lobby the CPD to run a couple bike officers through that area periodically?

Permalink Reply by Tony Adams on June 20, 2013 at 7:00am

It isn't salmoning as far as I'm concerned, but going the wrong way on Wabash is definitely a terrible practice. It is one thing to go the "wrong" way on a quiet residential street, but doing it on Wabash is hugely dangerous and rude.

I wonder if part of the reason people are seeing more of it on Wabash is because of the buffered bike lanes further south on Wabash? Like most of the bike lanes in Chicago, they just end without any guidance on how to proceed further. Where do they end again? Harrison or Congress? 

Anne Alt said:

I've been seeing a lot more salmoning in the Loop recently - on State, Clark, Madison, Wabash and other streets.  Not a good idea - for your own safety or anyone else's.

Permalink Reply by Crazy David 84 Furlongs on June 20, 2013 at 8:01am

Great.  Then we will know who to sue when someone is hit by a distracted driver.   Its not only a very bad thing to do, it is arrogant and it hurts cycling generally in Chicago.  STOP IT.

Oh yes, and don t go crying when you get one of those new enhanced city of Chicago tickets.  Its because of behavior like YOURS that the rest of us are now at risk of bigger ticket amounts.

alnj said:

I'm one of the perps. I also frequent chainlink. There should probably just be a protected bike lane on wabash. Until then, its just gonna happen and everyone should be cautious of all their surroundings.

Juan 2-8 mi. said:

Doubt if these perps are on the Chainlink...

Permalink Reply by Tim on June 20, 2013 at 8:05am

Thanks for your support  Aljn. It makes me feel awesome about the world.

h'   and others... have you considered the lakefront path or the Dearborn lanes?

Permalink Reply by Tony Adams on June 20, 2013 at 8:33am

I agree with Tim. There are no good northbound routes between the Lakefront Path and Dearborn.

What I do to get to Dearborn when going northbound into the loop on Wabash:

1. Turn left (west) on 9th - taking it to Plymouth

2. Turn right (north) on Plymouth to Polk

3. Turn left (west) on Polk half a block to the southern terminus of the Dearborn lanes/circus.

(Bonus feature: Well hidden, pretty good Indian/Nepalese joint at 9th and Plymouth - the Chicago Curry House.)


h' 1.0 said:

Oops-- should have read more thoroughly-- exactly Tony's last comment.

Permalink Reply by Juan 2-3 or more mi. on June 20, 2013 at 8:44am

If you are a year round rider I would understand, since I also salmon on some short stretches to cross over to another street like on Jackson from Green st to Peoria, but I have stopped since it has become way too unpredictable with all these fair weather riders.

alnj said:

I'm one of the perps. I also frequent chainlink. There should probably just be a protected bike lane on wabash. Until then, its just gonna happen and everyone should be cautious of all their surroundings.

Juan 2-8 mi. said:

Doubt if these perps are on the Chainlink...

Permalink Reply by Vilda on June 20, 2013 at 10:59am

So someone is forced to go around you cause you don't know what direction to travel? We should be careful cause this is ridiculous. Are you afraid to travel on State? Are you unaware of the other streets in Chicago? Heaven help you when you run into someone that won't peel off cause 1 they are likely crazy and to they are likely gonna hurt ya. This is a reminder folks, the cream comes to the top...But turds can float too.

alnj said:

I'm one of the perps. I also frequent chainlink. There should probably just be a protected bike lane on wabash. Until then, its just gonna happen and everyone should be cautious of all their surroundings.

Juan 2-8 mi. said:

Doubt if these perps are on the Chainlink...

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