The Chainlink

CBS's Dave Savini looks into hazards for cyclists on the news...

...and then Rob Johnson basically dismisses it with a seriously messed up last word. WTH?


http://chicago.cbslocal.com/video/3552325-chicagos-cyclists-in-dang...

Great research and story, though - kudos to Dave Savini and the producers for getting this information out there. 

20 tickets all year??!?!?! We have got to get some more enforcement happening!

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Dang, that might actually work! Those things are tough as nails too, so would probably last awhile, even with continuing assault by car/truck tires.

They probably didn't talk to the department of finance. They write the bulk of the tickets for parking in bike lanes. I think it's something like 700-800 a year and they are kept in a separate database from police citations. So he's not lying (he clarifies that the data is from CPD) but it's misleading whether or not CBS checked with finance. I'm not saying that the amount they actually ticket is enough, but just poking a hole in the reporting.

Thanks for the clarification on that, Charlie. I almost fell over when I heard the number 20. 

I did read on fb today that an Uber driver has never been fined for bike lane violations, because he contests the tickets and the judge tosses them out. I wonder how many of *those* happen...

yup. that was actually me. talked to my Lyft driver about it yesterday. he was understanding of the issues, but also honest about why they keep doing it. been making a habit of brining up bike lane issues with drivers whenever i'm not riding. conversations, not pitting drivers against bikers.

Dave Savini and his producer were very, very sincere in their desire to push this story. I worked with them for weeks on this leading up to it and throughout the process they were thorough and detailed in their investigating. My two clients and I spent hours with them to get the few minutes you see on the final story. I am very grateful to them for doing the story and asking for my input. I really liked Dave Savini. Very smart, tough, funny, and down to earth. His desire to "look out for the little guy" is apparent. 

Tragically the timing of the story due to the recent bicycle fatalities even further illuminates the need for reform. Reform of the laws, reform of infrastructure funding, reform of department policies, and reform of our city's collective view on how bikes work into a modern transportation scheme.  

Next report they could do is the random tearing up of streets, one block or those random cut outs that get resurfaced. Like Clinton south of Lake. There wasn't a problem but Dearborn has had a crappy concrete job after they replaced water pipes.
And the portion of Dearborn they did resurface is an inch or more higher than the manhole covers nice bumpy ride.
The city is "broke" but last year they tore up and repaved Fullerton then started tearing it up again you're do the Damen/Elston/ Fullerton.
Drivers explain about us being in the road, weaving but as noted potholes or a gap as little as an inch can cause a wreck.

I saw some evidence of this coordinating agency for a brief time after it was announced, towards the end of Gabe Klein's tenure. I think it's long gone.

I'm thinking it would be a good gesture for many of us to write to Dave Savini at CBS and thank him and his producers for doing this story. It's a little gesture that could go a long way to recognize the media who are thoughtful and who do see the bigger picture of transportation in the city. Plus, he says on twitter he is continuing to investigate the issue - AWESOME!!!

I mean, does anyone get enough praise for a job well done? Anyway, if you'd like to join me, here's the email contact information (three addresses) that came up on the local CBS site for emailing Dave:

dvsavini@cbs.com; mhlebeau@cbs.com; mayoungerman@cbs.com

done!

I would hope to think that Dave Savini, and CBS2, is aware and has been following this discussion here on the Chainlink. Thanks Dave and CBS2, please try to continue to cover, and understand issues that affect cyclists in our city.

I will also send this out to - dvsavini@cbs.com

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