I rode Dearborn today...anyone else?

I just missed the press conference and just hung out at lunch to see how it would all work. It seemed easy enough, so I took Dearborn as my starting route home to Roscoe Village. Normally I hit Franklin to Orleans then north to Lincoln.

I have to say, it was pretty easy and relatively safe. The ambassadors were helpful with the the auto traffic. The walkers were easy enough to avoid. I had to chuckle at two riders riding side by side in the lane.

What I didn't see was any oncoming traffic; southbound riders. I am guessing that will come in time or at other times during the day.

Way to go Mayor RE! This is really making a statement.

Who else rode the new path?

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by WillG on March 19, 2013 at 8:13am

Was the north facing light at Washington wonky for anyone else this morning? I had a simultaneous red and green.

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Permalink Reply by Adam Herstein on March 19, 2013 at 8:51am

It's been like that for at least a week.

If you stick around for a whole cycle, you'll see it's even more broken. It goes from red/green to red/yellow to flashing red.

Will G - 10mi said:

Was the north facing light at Washington wonky for anyone else this morning? I had a simultaneous red and green.

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Permalink Reply by WillG on March 19, 2013 at 11:18am

Did not notice this at all last week. Could be dangerous, I contacted CDOT about it.

Adam Herstein (5.5 mi) said:

It's been like that for at least a week.

If you stick around for a whole cycle, you'll see it's even more broken. It goes from red/green to red/yellow to flashing red.

Will G - 10mi said:

Was the north facing light at Washington wonky for anyone else this morning? I had a simultaneous red and green.

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Permalink Reply by Adam Herstein on March 19, 2013 at 11:52am

No.

carfreecommuter said:

Have you reported it to 311?

Adam Herstein (5.5 mi) said:

It's been like that for at least a week.

If you stick around for a whole cycle, you'll see it's even more broken. It goes from red/green to red/yellow to flashing red.

Will G - 10mi said:

Was the north facing light at Washington wonky for anyone else this morning? I had a simultaneous red and green.

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Permalink Reply by WillG on March 20, 2013 at 8:08am

Wooo, was going to say, looked like normal today. Nice work and thank you.

carfreecommuter said:

I walked over yesterday at lunch, took a photo, and reported it to 311. Within an hour I received a message saying my report had been closed out. I checked on the way in this morning and it worked fine.

CarFreeCommuter: 1, Adam Herstein: 0

Adam Herstein (5.5 mi) said:

No.

carfreecommuter said:

Have you reported it to 311?

Adam Herstein (5.5 mi) said:

It's been like that for at least a week.

If you stick around for a whole cycle, you'll see it's even more broken. It goes from red/green to red/yellow to flashing red.

Will G - 10mi said:

Was the north facing light at Washington wonky for anyone else this morning? I had a simultaneous red and green.

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Permalink Reply by Julie M. on March 21, 2013 at 7:01am

Busy day going south on Dearborn today, knocked on a cab's window by the Westin asking him to not park in the bike lane and got a non committal answer, so going to report him to 311. Then there were also some construction trucks parked nearby in the lane. The guys were outside working so I asked if the trucks were theirs and explained the bike lane again. All I got from them was an "ok" but I didn't think to take pictures.

But, I ran across a Chicago policeman biking north on Dearborn, so I pointed out that there were cars parked in the lane further north, and he said that's why he rides the lane every day. Of course I thanked him! I think I have seen him at least one other time when he gave me a hard time for walking my bike across the bridge. Nice to see some enforcement!

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Permalink Reply by Michelle S on March 21, 2013 at 7:25am

Just before 7:00 am today, I also saw those three worker trucks parked in the lane just north of the river, and I tapped on the third truck's window and talked to the driver. I said it was a bike lane and he couldn't park there. He said he would move. I asked if the other two trucks were with him and he said they were and he'd get them to move. So I left without calling 311, but wondered if he'd actually leave. I hope they either did leave, or that they were issued citations if they stayed. For occasional visitors like contractors, I can't blame them for not understanding it's a bike lane when they pull up to the site, since the signage/markings are pretty sparse.

Julie M. 8.0 mi said:

Busy day going south on Dearborn today, knocked on a cab's window by the Westin asking him to not park in the bike lane and got a non committal answer, so going to report him to 311. Then there were also some construction trucks parked nearby in the lane. The guys were outside working so I asked if the trucks were theirs and explained the bike lane again. All I got from them was an "ok" but I didn't think to take pictures.

But, I ran across a Chicago policeman biking north on Dearborn, so I pointed out that there were cars parked in the lane further north, and he said that's why he rides the lane every day. Of course I thanked him! I think I have seen him at least one other time when he gave me a hard time for walking my bike across the bridge. Nice to see some enforcement!

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Permalink Reply by Julie M. on March 21, 2013 at 7:44am

Hmm, surprised they hadn't already moved, I went through around 6:40. Perhaps later arrivals can let us know, or bug them again/call 311 if they're still there :)

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Permalink Reply by Jenn_5.5 mi on March 21, 2013 at 8:06am

I didn't see anyone parked in the lane, I probably came through (SB-starting at Kinzie) 7:30-40ish... Something worked, either your information or the CPD.