Dearborn 2-way bike lane. Is it working?

I don't ride it often, but it seems to be an invite for pedestrian-bike collisions.

It's invisible if you approach mid-block, and walkers step right into the path of the bikes.

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Permalink Reply by Michelle on September 29, 2013 at 2:26pm
I mean... You do have to be careful... But it works to get me safely through the loop.
Permalink Reply by Tom Dworzanski on September 29, 2013 at 2:36pm

It's working great. It's not invisible as you have to step off a tall curb to enter it. The two tight lanes with tons of bikes, bike diagrams, green striping, and signs make it pretty obvious it's bike lanes. It's not an invitation for any sort of collisions from my extensive experience riding it. That is all.

Permalink Reply by KayCee on September 29, 2013 at 3:57pm

We ride it daily.  I'm cautious by a few driveways, and watch for pedestrians- especially those walking from parked cars to the sidewalk- but I'm used to being constantly on the lookout for doors.  It is slow going, but definitely working.  I also appreciate the bike signals and bright paint. I'd welcome more of this kind of lane.

Permalink Reply by Tim on September 29, 2013 at 6:47pm

I was hit by a car on it in June. A Car came flying out of a parking garage and didn't stop for me or the pedestrians on the road. I have also had numerous pedestrians walk out in front of me, while on their phones etc.

Permalink Reply by Alex Z on September 30, 2013 at 1:53am

I think it's awesome and works well.

 

Someone here noted that it requires "mellow riding." This is correct. You can't go full-speed toward an intersection to try to make a green-turning-to-yellow; the risk of a pedestrian stepping out unawares is too great to ride Dearborn too quickly, IMO.

Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on September 30, 2013 at 3:02am

I agree.  Mellow riding is the safer way to go - riding 12 mph or less and being observant of crossing traffic.  I ride it regularly.  I sometimes need to use maximum voice power to clear peds from a crosswalk when they're standing in the lane in anticipation of their crossing light, but I've used it quite a bit since it opened with no crashes.

Alex Z said:

I think it's awesome and works well.

 

Someone here noted that it requires "mellow riding." This is correct. You can't go full-speed toward an intersection to try to make a green-turning-to-yellow; the risk of a pedestrian stepping out unawares is too great to ride Dearborn too quickly, IMO.

Permalink Reply by Juan 2-3 or more mi. on September 30, 2013 at 6:55am

It's working for me despite all the obstructions. 

We all have to deal with this struggle, and it will be very well worth it as more of these bicycle facilities are built throughout the city for a more safe and coherent mode of traffic.

Tim said:

I was hit by a car on it in June. A Car came flying out of a parking garage and didn't stop for me or the pedestrians on the road. I have also had numerous pedestrians walk out in front of me, while on their phones etc.

Permalink Reply by Rich S on September 30, 2013 at 7:07am

Thank you Jeff for not using the term protected when referencing the lane. 

I don't ride it often but I find that clueless pedestrians are the biggest issue. I've noticed that with most of the highly separated bike lanes you have to have a more mellow riding pace. And also be on the lookout for right hooks from cars although that's not an issue on Dearborn. 

My opinion of Dearborn is that it's a bit narrow and the minimum width for a two-lane bike lane. 

Permalink Reply by Lisa Curcio on September 30, 2013 at 7:18am

My experience is that conflicts with pedestrians are not as frequent as they were.  Yes, some people do still step out into the bike lane, but it seems a lot better than it was even at the beginning of the summer.  Overall, so long as one is "mellow", it is an easy north/south route to get across the loop.

Permalink Reply by Barry Aldridge on September 30, 2013 at 8:38am

We were just in Montréal, where they have had numerous protected bike lanes for years. Instead of mere street marking and flimsy plastic poles, they built a 2-3' wide curb between the bike and car lanes. Their protected bike lanes are about the same width as the one on Dearborn and there was plenty of room for us and our Bixi bikes (their version of Divvy). They were also well-paved, not just converted gutter afterthoughts. As with all new things, I think once pedestrians and cars get used to them, problems will subside. 

Permalink Reply by Alex Z on September 30, 2013 at 8:39am

This is the key thing. Plenty of options remain for cyclists who are comfortable mixing with traffic. But more lanes like Dearborn are needed to expand the cycling base to people for whom mixing with traffic is (or is perceived to be) too white-knuckling.

Lisa Curcio 6.5 mi said:

 so long as one is "mellow", it is an easy north/south route to get across the loop.

Permalink Reply by David Barish on September 30, 2013 at 10:19am

There are less peds as time goes on. Regular loop people now realize that its a bike lane. Tourists and those who came downtown from the burbs to go to a musical continue to be surprised by the bikes.  Riders who realize its a city street and not a bike highway have no problem using it. If I am passing through the loop on a Saturday I am more likely to use another street and go much faster. On a weekday the lane, especially when its filled with bikes, is great. 

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