Recent Streetsblog CHICAGO posts about bike lanes

On streets as narrow as 44 feet, wide buffers next to the parking lanes can help keep cyclists out of the way of car doors. Image: John Greenfield

Here’s an Inexpensive, Simple Way to Help Prevent Bicycle Dooring Crashes and Save Lives

By John Greenfield | Sep 7, 2018 | 20 Comments

Striping all bike lanes in a way that encourages cyclists to ride out of the "door zone" would help keep people out of harm's way.

The new one-block stretch of bike lane on the east side Michigan between Washington and Randolph makes biking on the six-lane avenue a bit less intimidating. Photo: Twitter user @jimsey

CDOT is Filling in the Gaps Between the Washington and Randolph Bikeways

By John Greenfield | Jul 27, 2018 | 13 Comments

New green paint, a dedicated bike signal, and -- gasp! -- a bike lane on Michigan help facilitate the transfer.

New buffered lanes on Stony Island Avenue near Lake Calumet will make cycling to Big Marsh bike park a bit safer, although truck traffic will still be a hazard. Photo: Slow Roll Chicago

Plenty of Good Chicago Bikeway Projects Will Be Built in 2018

By John Greenfield | Jun 13, 2018 | 56 Comments

The list includes several miles of neighborhood greenways

It took six years of advocacy for Philadelphia to get this 11-block bike lane on Chestnut. Immediately after its construction, the council member got cold feet. Photo: Bike Coalition of Greater Philadelphia

Philly Rolls Out Bike Lanes at a Snail’s Pace, and Mayor Jim Kenney May Slow Down Progress Even More

By Angie Schmitt | Mar 6, 2018 | No Comments

Two years into Kenney's tenure, it already seems unlikely that he'll achieve his promise to improve the bike network.

Street design guidance from AASHTO has been eclipsed by the work of American cities. Image: AASHTO

A Brief History of How American Transportation Engineers Resisted Bike Lanes

By Angie Schmitt | Mar 2, 2018 | No Comments

A new paper looks at what led the American engineering establishment to fall decades behind other countries on the development of bike infrastructure.

These People Lost Their Minds Over a Bike Lane

By Angie Schmitt | Oct 16, 2017 | No Comments

The photos don't lie -- these protesters actually called some new stripes on the street a "Nazi lane."

This used to be an un-protected, painted bike lane. Photo: Austin Gibble/Urban Indy

Indianapolis Upgrades Painted Bike Lanes By Adding Proper Protection

By Angie Schmitt | Sep 12, 2017 | No Comments

Sometimes, when a city builds a really good bike lane - especially an American city - you have to sit back and appreciate it.

Vehicles in the Elston curbside bike lanes also prevents drivers from using the outside travel lanes. Photo: Cheryl Zalenski

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Eyes on the Street: Elston Bike Lanes Are Clogged With Cars Northwest of “The Hotdog”

By John Greenfield | Aug 7, 2017 | 6 Comments

An annoying issue on Elston has a silver lining -- it suggests that protected bike lanes could work on this stretch.

Protection for cyclists on major urban bridges in Florida exists only in renderings, not real life. Image: Bernard Zyscovich via Gridics

Florida DOT Gets Much-Deserved Mockery for Failing to Make Bridges Safe for Cycling

By Angie Schmitt | Jul 31, 2017 | No Comments

A protected bike lane on every bridge. That's the kind of policy that could make a real difference for Florida and improve the state's terrible bike safety record. But it's still just a dream.

New buffered lane on Jackson from Halsted to Jefferson. Photo: CDOT