CHICAGO—Chicago is joining New York, Portland, Ore., San Francisco, and Washington D.C. on a short list of the nation’s cyclist-friendly cities.
On Tuesday, June 7 Mayor Emanuel kicked off the start of construction of Protected Bike Lanes in Chicago, following through on his promise to Chicagoans of 100 miles of safe routes for cyclists.
“These bike lanes will help ensure that all Chicagoans can get to work and travel in their neighborhoods in the safest and most efficient fashion possible. It’s about making sure that every dollar we spend is focused on building a city that works for all of its residents,” Mayor Emanuel said in a press release.
Tackling a route already heavily used by Chicago bikers—on Kinzie Street from Milwaukee to Wells—the construction will create a bike lane next to the curb and protected from traffic by a parking lane for cars. Between the parked vehicles and the biker lane there will be a line of flexible posts.
The plan for citywide expansion is in its infancy. “CDOT is currently assessing multiple locations for protected bike lanes in neighborhoods throughout Chicago. In addition to Kinzie from Milwaukee to Wells, the only location selected so far is along Stony Island Avenue between 69th and 77th Streets. Other locations will be finalized starting this summer, and will be rolled out in phases,” says Brian Steele of CDOT.
Steven Vance who writes about cities, bicycling, and other transportation topics, favors the plan but wonders if its pilot location will really reduce car traffic since the area is already favored by cyclists.
But CDOT expects a reduction in congestion: “The Kinzie protected bike lane will definitely increase bike traffic and reduce vehicle congestion. While the major streets at each end of the lane—Milwaukee and Wells—already have significant bike traffic, the Kinzie corridor will see more bike use as it becomes a convenient, safe connection. In nearly every bike lane we have installed over the last several years—including along streets that already had significant bike traffic—we have seen bike numbers grow,” Steele states.
Joining this effort, Alderman Reilly along with the Chicago Police Department and the CDOT’s Bicycling Ambassadors to improve bike safety are instituting 42nd Ward Share the Road Enforcement Events. Cyclists are being stopped for running red lights, police are enforcing laws for cyclists, and bike lights are being distributed, most recently on June 9.
From June 11-17 the Active Transportation Alliance is hosting a challenge to Chicagoans. They are encouraging employees to form teams and bike to work. Winners will receive a free pizza party hosted by University of Chicago’s Office of Sustainability.
“This is the University of Chicago’s second year of organized participation in the city’s annual Bike to Work Week, which happens to coincide with the construction of the bike protection lanes. We’re extremely excited about this project and the Mayor’s initiatives to make Chicago more bicycle friendly,” says Program Coordinator Katie Anson of the Office of Sustainability.
The plan for citywide expansion is in its infancy. “CDOT is currently assessing multiple locations for protected bike lanes in neighborhoods throughout Chicago. In addition to Kinzie from Milwaukee to Wells, the only location selected so far is along Stony Island Avenue between 69th and 77th Streets. Other locations will be finalized starting this summer, and will be rolled out in phases,” says Brian Steele of CDOT.
Steven Vance who writes about cities, bicycling, and other transportation topics, favors the plan but wonders if its pilot location will really reduce car traffic since the area is already favored by cyclists.
But CDOT expects a reduction in congestion: “The Kinzie protected bike lane will definitely increase bike traffic and reduce vehicle congestion. While the major streets at each end of the lane—Milwaukee and Wells—already have significant bike traffic, the Kinzie corridor will see more bike use as it becomes a convenient, safe connection. In nearly every bike lane we have installed over the last several years—including along streets that already had significant bike traffic—we have seen bike numbers grow,” Steele states.
Joining this effort, Alderman Reilly along with the Chicago Police Department and the CDOT’s Bicycling Ambassadors to improve bike safety are instituting 42nd Ward Share the Road Enforcement Events. Cyclists are being stopped for running red lights, police are enforcing laws for cyclists, and bike lights are being distributed, most recently on June 9.
From June 11-17 the Active Transportation Alliance is hosting a challenge to Chicagoans. They are encouraging employees to form teams and bike to work. Winners will receive a free pizza party hosted by University of Chicago’s Office of Sustainability.
“This is the University of Chicago’s second year of organized participation in the city’s annual Bike to Work Week, which happens to coincide with the construction of the bike protection lanes. We’re extremely excited about this project and the Mayor’s initiatives to make Chicago more bicycle friendly,” says Program Coordinator Katie Anson of the Office of Sustainability.
