The Chainlink

I traveled Roosevelt eastbound today between Halsted and Michigan, feeling most unwelcome (cars using the bike and bus lanes for scootching ahead even though the traffic was light). The lane lines and bike symbols seemed to have been actively rubbed out. Is riding this stretch officially discouraged? I know there is a new protected lane on 18th.

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+1  14th Place was excellent.

I think we should push for Taylor St.  With all the South Loop condo development and huge retail developments to the west, Roosevelt is a lost cause, short of a radical solution like a concrete wall between the bike lanes and vehicle traffic.

h' said:

14th place was a near-perfect e/w route across the span between Halsted and the train yard before UPS stole it and closed it off. I was excited to hear from a CDOT bike staffer  a few years ago that Taylor was supposed to be built out east of Canal and was going to replace Roosevelt as the preferred bike corridor, but that seems to have "gone away."

I would be perfectly happy to let  the heavy motor traffic have Roosevelt, in favor of other options-- I don't think it can be saved.

I agree. Isn't there an off-street path planned for Wells? A Taylor Street connecting bridge to that would be awesome!

Not to hijack the thread, but along those lines, am I the only person here who would like to see Plymouth re-opened for bikes all the way to 18th St? The stretch of Clark between 18th and 15th is brutal, and for most people riding into the loop, Wabash* is pretty far out of the way.

* and the bike lanes on it end at the dreaded Roosevelt anyway.


Anne Alt said:

+1  14th Place was excellent.

I think we should push for Taylor St.  With all the South Loop condo development and huge retail developments to the west, Roosevelt is a lost cause, short of a radical solution like a concrete wall between the bike lanes and vehicle traffic.

h' said:

14th place was a near-perfect e/w route across the span between Halsted and the train yard before UPS stole it and closed it off. I was excited to hear from a CDOT bike staffer  a few years ago that Taylor was supposed to be built out east of Canal and was going to replace Roosevelt as the preferred bike corridor, but that seems to have "gone away."

I would be perfectly happy to let  the heavy motor traffic have Roosevelt, in favor of other options-- I don't think it can be saved.

Would love to see Plymouth opened up-- who closed it? Guessing the locals don't want a steady stream of cyclists crossing their little park.

I will do sidewalk most of the time when forced onto that piece of Clark (has anyone ever seen a pedestrian there? I'm pretty sure I never have.)

What do we need to do to push for the Taylor connection?


Tony Adams said:

I agree. Isn't there an off-street path planned for Wells? A Taylor Street connecting bridge to that would be awesome!

Not to hijack the thread, but along those lines, am I the only person here who would like to see Plymouth re-opened for bikes all the way to 18th St? The stretch of Clark between 18th and 15th is brutal, and for most people riding into the loop, Wabash* is pretty far out of the way.

* and the bike lanes on it end at the dreaded Roosevelt anyway.


Anne Alt said:

+1  14th Place was excellent.

I think we should push for Taylor St.  With all the South Loop condo development and huge retail developments to the west, Roosevelt is a lost cause, short of a radical solution like a concrete wall between the bike lanes and vehicle traffic.

h' said:

14th place was a near-perfect e/w route across the span between Halsted and the train yard before UPS stole it and closed it off. I was excited to hear from a CDOT bike staffer  a few years ago that Taylor was supposed to be built out east of Canal and was going to replace Roosevelt as the preferred bike corridor, but that seems to have "gone away."

I would be perfectly happy to let  the heavy motor traffic have Roosevelt, in favor of other options-- I don't think it can be saved.

Don't we all love the NIMBYs?  ;)  Having a bikeable path from Plymouth through to 18th would be fabulous.  If only there was a way through here.

h' said:

Would love to see Plymouth opened up-- who closed it? Guessing the locals don't want a steady stream of cyclists crossing their little park.

I take 18th to the lake or if going to Whole Foods area (from the south) take Canal north from 18.
Also, try Taylor Street as an alternate east/west.

I used the contact form at City's CDOT page.

Greetings,
I'm trying to get information on the closure of Dearborn at the viaduct north of 16th street. I'm fine with it being closed to motor vehicles, but it would make a great way for bikes and pedestrians to avoid the very busy Clark and State Streets.
I would be most grateful for any information you can send me on the closure - or even who to contact about it.

I'm not sure what possessed me to copy that, but I'm glad I did for after I hit Send I was told something to the effect of Could Not Send Your Email at this Time Please Try Later.   oy!

edit: I asked my contact at the 25th ward if it was in that ward, but I think it is in the 3rd.

Wrong! The buffered bike lanes on Wabash now extend north to Harrison! 

Tony Adams said:

* and the bike lanes on it end at the dreaded Roosevelt anyway.

Each to their own.

I grew up VERY used to the bustle and idiot drivers & rude pedestrians, esp. going to Roosevelt Road, Halsted & the old Maxwell St. market back in the '60s, 70s...

I've avoided accidents, muggings, etc. BUT not greasy food & deals on and out of wheels...

You are correct, sir H'


Anne Alt said:

Don't we all love the NIMBYs?  ;)  Having a bikeable path from Plymouth through to 18th would be fabulous.  If only there was a way through here.

h' said:

Would love to see Plymouth opened up-- who closed it? Guessing the locals don't want a steady stream of cyclists crossing their little park.

The bridge seams on Roosevelt are cavernous - very road bike-unfriendly.

Yet another bridge with expansion joints in poor condition - bad for cyclists on any kind of bike.  Add that to Harrison and Monroe.

Nexus7 said:

The bridge seams on Roosevelt are cavernous - very road bike-unfriendly.

Good news! The city is considering building a new protected two-way lane from State to Columbus; but instead of plastic poles or parking, the lane would be protected by a line of trees: http://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20130626/south-loop/roosevelt-road-p...

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