The Chainlink

Bike Lanes on Archer Ave.

Hey everyone, I bet this has been brought up before because I know so many people in the southwest side of Chicago use Archer Ave. to bike to downtown or to the other parts of the city. Is there somewhere I can go to suggest bike lanes for Archer ave? I feel like it should have bike lanes. I always see a lot of bikers on Archer on my commutes from Archer Heights to UIC. 

I'm not sure if people have tried in the past and have been unsuccessful or what the case may be I just think it would be beneficial to a lot of commuters like myself.

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Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on May 12, 2015 at 11:30am

When we were doing public outreach for Streets for Cycling 2020 Plan, there was definitely support for bike lanes on Archer.  Perhaps CDOT needs a little nudge - like this.

https://twitter.com/aka60643/status/598163598561517568

Permalink Reply by Samuel Diaz on May 12, 2015 at 12:06pm

I think its odd that there hasn't been any lanes added to that street yet. Of all streets on the southside Archer should definitely have some

Permalink Reply by h' Zerocats on May 12, 2015 at 12:40pm

Mike Amsden would probably be able to tell you off the top of his head if there's a reason Archer doesn't have lanes (e.g. it's part of some kind of state or national route.) Seems like an obvious choice to me.

mike.amsden@cityofchicago.org

Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on May 12, 2015 at 3:50pm

We discussed it as a major SW side bike route.  I've learned from other significant routes w/major delays that any street under IDOT jurisdiction takes longer to do, especially when IDOT makes a point to block the addition of bike lanes.
http://chi.streetsblog.org/2013/02/05/idot-blocks-protected-bike-la...

Permalink Reply by Tony Adams on May 13, 2015 at 3:14pm

Thanks for the link Anne, but per that article the problem with IDOT is (was?) with protected bike lanes, not bike lanes in general. Also, the section under IDOT jurisdiction (State to Loomis) already has lanes on most of it. (The western terminus of the bike lanes is at Throop (2800 S), just 0.3 of a mile from Loomis (2900 S)).

Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on May 14, 2015 at 8:48am

It was an example of the kind of obstruction IDOT has created in more than one location, one of many obstacles to getting better bike facilities on Archer.

Permalink Reply by Tony Adams on May 14, 2015 at 9:58am

Speaking of IDOT they are doing a listening tour now - so consider signing up to get on the waiting list (I guess the sessions are at capacity) - more info in this Streetsblog Chicago article IDOT Has Added Two More Chicago Stops to Their Listening Tour Today. 

or just fill out this online survey 

Permalink Reply by Maurice on May 12, 2015 at 5:01pm

Obvious choice for bike lanes, not only for its importance as a SW route, but also because the way it cuts from 2 lanes to 4 lanes repeatedly is extremely dangerous and has been for many years.

 

IIRC, when they striped the bike lanes near Archer & State, they mentioned a plan in the works to extend them further when funding became available.  I would guess this means SW of Canal on Archer and N of 18th St. on State.

Permalink Reply by Jim Reho on May 12, 2015 at 10:40pm

Archer has bike lanes at some points, but not nearly enough.  It could use some traffic calming, that's for sure.  

Permalink Reply by Tony Adams on May 13, 2015 at 12:41pm

Archer has bike lanes between its origin at State Street, and Throop.  But even in that limited stretch there are some sections which have been compromised such as for metered parking on the south side near Halsted, for a 15 min parking strip just west of the Halsted Orange line stop and for a bunch of presumably condo dweller parking just west of Canal. So in effect, the bikes lanes on Archer, limited as they are -  are significantly less safe and useful than they were when they were installed. Zero steps forward, many steps back.

And please, do not get me started on how the existing bike lanes on Archer were neglected by the Streets and San snow-plows last winter.

Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on May 13, 2015 at 1:54pm

I've often seen tour bus drivers blocking the lanes, sitting under the red line viaduct. Seems to be a popular location for them. Grrr!!!

Permalink Reply by Maurice on May 13, 2015 at 2:05pm

Ah, the infamous lane-blocking Chinatown casino buses!  

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