Who else has gone from serious commuting to nearly none due to...

a) lack of bike lanes, or

b) bike lanes that are commonly considered regular car traffic lanes, or

c) general mixed message of CDOT on maintaining our lanes?

I will say that for me, 3,000+ miles per year was not uncommon. My trek was between 6.5 and 9.5 miles each way (depending on route) and I rode 5 days a week, year round. I really loved it riding. For you marketers, demographers, I was replacing my bike every 18 months and getting tune ups three times a year (beyond my own tuneups.)

Now, as I see cars regularly use the bike lane on Damen, Elston, Milwaukee and Des Plaines, I question how I ever got so brave to ride in the first place.

We really need to ask ourselves if we are being heard and supported. I am seeing the tide turn toward driving and cars using the whole road.

Flame away.

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Gort 12-mile Pinklegneep on May 24, 2015 at 5:27pm

Higgins lanes along that stretch are nicely wide enough for car and bike, but not wide enough for two cars. 

Permalink Reply by Not too hip on May 29, 2015 at 4:27pm

I used to ride that years ago and really liked the width.

Permalink Reply by Lisa Curcio on May 24, 2015 at 3:52pm

I have only been commuting for four years.  Bicycle infrastructure is a double-edged sword.  It makes people feel safer and gets them on bikes.  More bikes = more awareness.  But some of the infrastructure also gives riders a false sense of security.  I love riding my bike every day.  I am reminded of how much I love it whenever I decide public transportation is a better choice.  But when I am on my bike, I like to think that my safety in large part depends upon my mantra:  "Expect someone (driver, pedestrian, cyclist) to do something stupid every second".

Permalink Reply by Irvin Steinert on May 25, 2015 at 10:16am

"Designing effective bike infra for a community in which drivers follow the law would be easy." Since the vast majority of people follow the law when they are not driving.....this, to me, seems possible.

Permalink Reply by Marc A. Irwin on May 26, 2015 at 12:44pm

Not me.  I grew up with biking and started riding as an adult sometime during the Nixon administration.  We rode on the street, watched the door zone and hoped for the day when people would consider, maybe, the possibility of striping a bike lane somewhere in the city.  All the reality beyond that innocent hope is a real luxury.  

Marc

Permalink Reply by ChiBeerGuy on May 27, 2015 at 7:02am

I'm with you. I used to bike almost everyday when I was living in Bucktown. A quick 20 min ride down Milwaukee was nothing. I moved up to Portage Park and my commute got to 9.5 miles 50 min. The problem with the distance is prolonged exposure to idiots in cars and going through more infrastructure gaps. I just got tired of having to be on high alert for so long. So I haven't biked in about a year

Now I have a new job in Lincolnwood and half my commute is on the North Channel Trail. I biked this route for the first time and it's such a pleasure. 

Cheers to all who can do long commutes through the city with little infrastructure. I still think we have a LONG way to go.

Permalink Reply by David Barish on May 27, 2015 at 7:29am

d) none of the above.

Weather, motivation and the exigencies of the day are the only factors for me.  If I worked in the suburbs such things might matter as closure of one route may really screw up a commute. In the city if one route closes another opens and a,b and c really would not change my decision. All that being said, you commute more often than I. I average 1 trip a week of 13-17 miles each way.

Permalink Reply by Not too hip on June 1, 2015 at 3:08pm

I live in the suburbs and a winter closure of one route stops my commute. There really aren't any bike lanes out here so it is a matter of picking the "safest" route into the city. That includes accounting for the sun at daybreak when I fear that the eastbound cars can't see me (also headed east)  because they are blinded by the low sun. I have changed my route just because of the sun.

Permalink Reply by mweerd on May 27, 2015 at 7:37am

Can I add one?:

d) Fear of death/injury + all of the above

It's the close calls that have started to just wear my nerves down.

I've been commuting since 04. Back then I didn't consider just how vulnerable a bicyclist is in this city. With each passing year I get a little more fearful. I feel like every day I'm either involved in or witness a close call - I feel like maybe the odds will catch up with me in time.

I'm still going to ride - if I can just stay alive long enough to get to LFT - it's worth it. But now that they're going to start working on Elston - it's more imperative than ever that they deal with Milwaukee in Wicker Park.

Permalink Reply by Doug Haynes on June 1, 2015 at 11:45pm

If you find yourself involved in a close call nearly everyday you need to really examine how you ride...

Permalink Reply by Thomas Bruzan on June 3, 2015 at 8:54am

+10-A serious examination

Permalink Reply by Jordan M S on June 4, 2015 at 7:16am
I cant really agree with that. I realize some are more cautious/defensive than others, but there are, for instance, lots of roads (I'm picturing parts of ashland and north Avenue I often have to take) where drivers are unaware and impatient, lanes are narrow, and you will have close calls no matter what you do.

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