Red Lights for Bikes: Sure Thing or Stupid Nuisance? Tawlk amongst yourselves!

ON WBEZ's 848 this morning, Tony Sarabia chatted with Transportation Commissioner Gabe Klein about Chicago’s newest protected bike lane that will run along Dearborn Street in the Loop and will include red lights for bikes. More details here!

Tags: Bike, Cars, Lanes, Lights, Stop, Traffic, bicycles

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Permalink Reply by lorraine reder on August 10, 2012 at 3:59pm

Hey, this could mean more stop light cameras and revenue for the city! No thanks. I'd rather the money be spent for new bike lanes in underserved areas.

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Permalink Reply by Shirlee Berman on August 10, 2012 at 4:06pm

I think this is a great idea, and will be money well-spent. Sure, there will be some cyclists that continue to ignore, but it probably make them think twice and will definitely have an impact on new riders -- and we all know there are more new riders out there than seasoned ones.

Kudos to Chicago -- keep questioning the status quo!

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Permalink Reply by Joseph Beemster on August 10, 2012 at 4:17pm

Visited Copenhagen and Amsterdam last month where hundreds of bike riders commute to work on dedicated bicycle paved paths between the street and walkways. Yes these are equipped with traffic signals and they work great. The riders pay attention and they help protect them and the walkers.

Joe Beemster

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Permalink Reply by Justin Bianchi on August 10, 2012 at 4:23pm

If I was going to obey traffic signals I'd buy a car.

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Permalink Reply by wig [ isaac ] on August 10, 2012 at 4:23pm

when will men stop wearing ties? as for the red lights. just the next step in the making of chicagohagan. for old timers like me. This is going to hard.but for all you new riders less then 10 years it will be a welcomed change. safer streets.bigger bike lanes. but its all the rules that come with the new changes at first. But bring it on! now I'm off to go ride my NEW OLD BIKE! i love you chicago :]

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Permalink Reply by Cheryl on August 10, 2012 at 6:08pm

+1. The lack of clarity on Kinzie re: who has right-of-way, bicycles proceeding forward or cars turning right, would be greatly helped by separate signals for bikes and cars.

Cameron Puetz said:

I'm cautiously optimistic about the Dearborn protected lane. I've been critical of the Kinzie protected lane because of the intersection conflicts created for all modes of travel with turning traffic not looking for cyclists (or struggling with the poor sight lines), cyclists ignoring stop signs and not letting pedestrians cross, and pedestrians queuing in the bike lane waiting for a light to change. Hopefully the separate lights for the bike lane will be used to time the light cycles to eliminate some of these conflicts and give everyone a chance to move. This is very common in Germany and the Netherlands and works well there.

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Permalink Reply by Joe Willis on August 11, 2012 at 1:31am

I took this in Warsaw

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Permalink Reply by Jerry Lee on August 11, 2012 at 5:41am

what happens to bikes in an intersection?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UIthEM6pDqw&feature=related

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Permalink Reply by magomawe on August 11, 2012 at 9:16am

Awesome. I'd like to see a cost projection to know how expensive these things are, but if there are pedestrian lights, lets get bicycling lights too. Though some people will blow them at times, it will make travel a lot clearer for all parties. It also might draw the attention of some drivers who may consider dusting off their bikes for an easier ride to work.