More Bus Lanes
Earlier in 2020, Chicago had added temporary bus lanes on Chicago Street. Fortunately, the city announced that they have been made permanent.
Many people from this area are happy about this improvement and think this is a huge improvement for the city., since many take the bus for work, school, and to hang out. Before, Chicago had very few bus lanes. It only has them in places that are very congested like the Loop. However, it’s time they add more. Chicago is one of the busiest, most populated cities in the world, yet it only has 11 miles worth of dedicated bus lanes. Other large American cities have much more, like New York which has 138 miles, and Los Angeles which has 107.
Mayor Lori Lightfoot issued a statement saying, “The establishment of this permanent, dedicated bus lane on Chicago Avenue is part of our citywide commitment to ensuring all of our citizens can get around our city safely and effectively. All residents’ transit experiences and quality of life are improved by investing in a strong and dependable public transportation system, and we are happy to be able to keep improving this vital resource.”
Before the city decided to make these bus lanes permanent, they were temporary. During the pandemic, however, they were seen to be very necessary, with a lot of workers using the bus rather than their cars to commute from home to work. Since the CTA and city major noticed that more and more people were taking public transportation, they passed a project to turn those temporary lanes to permanent ones.
Future Bike Lanes
The city is not only making bus lanes permanent, but is also adding more bike lanes. The city has started to add more concrete islands that separate car lanes and bike lanes, creating a safety barrier between the two.
Many residents are happy about this. One of those residents, specifically a CPS teacher who chose to remain anonymous, said the following when asked: How do you feel about the city making more bike lanes, as well as adding islands for safety?
“I am happy that safety for bike riders is a topic now, I am glad that they are adding more bike lanes, I come the loop all the way down to Englewood to teach, and most of the ride is on the street. With these bike lanes, I will be more relieved to bike to school every day, I’m sure others will too,” he said.
To get to work, home, the gym, a date, etc., 1.8% of the city’s population uses bikes every day. A CPS high schooler shared their views about the topic:
I can’t wait for these bike lanes to open, I always bike on the regular scared that I’m going to be hit, I enjoy biking as a form of exercise, so I’m looking forward to this. I think bicycling and public transportation should be talked more about, so this is good, I like it.
Everyone is glad that the city is doing more to add safety and efficiency to public transportation. All these plans to add more bike and bus lanes should be put into action in 2023 according to the CTA and Lori Lightfoot.
The Positives Of This in Chicago
- More people will want to take the bus and bike because it will be safer.
- More would want to take the bus because it will be just as fast as a car (it will be just as effective).
- Fewer cars will be used, which will help improve the city’s air quality.
- Less noise pollution.
- Less bus and car congestion.
- Less traffic death epidemics.
Additionally, the city is not only adding bus lanes, and increasing bike-safe cruising. It is also planning to expand sidewalks. Adding short fences to separate roads with sidewalks. And adding an island to separate both as well. Chicago’s goal, along with the Mayor Lightfoot, is to improve transportation safety, by foot, bus, car, etc. Many are looking forward to the city’s improvements!
Written By Adriana Castelan
Sources:
Interview: Cps Teacher and Student on January 26
CTA: Bus Priority Zones
STREETSBLOG CHICAGO: “Pop-up” bus lanes on Chicago Ave. are now permanent, other upgrades planned citywide
Curbed: Every bus in this country deserves its own lane
Chicago: Chicago To Upgrade All Protected Bike Lanes to Concrete by End of
Featured Image by Adriana Castelan
Inset Image Courtesy of Dianne Yee Flickr Page- Creative Commons License
