Bike Lanes System In The City of Chicago
Bicycle lanes have always been a concern for many people because they are not as safe as they would like them to be. Bike lanes are extremely necessary for people that need or enjoy biking around the city. However, they need to be safer and more protected because it definitely is an extreme danger when cycling between cars at high speeds, even if they go at slow speeds. They still can cause injuries to those cycling.
Also, a huge concern that there is, is that there are not miles enough of them. This is why the city of Chicago is now investing more than $17 million in new bike lanes. The plan is to add 150 miles of bike lanes or paths as part of the cycling program.
Hopes for The Addition Of Bike Lanes in the City
Furthermore, this city is one of the most popular cities in the country to cycle in. However, it has not been considered among the safest cities to bike in. Especially on the South and West side.
The city has high hopes for the addition of bike lanes and some of these hopes are to curb and change segregation and for there to be more racial equity. Potholes are also a huge problem that is increasing in today’s population. This is a problem that is affecting all driving vehicles and also bicycles.
In fact, this cycling boom and potholes problems are issues that need to be addressed immediately because accidents have increased and there has been a spotlight on the lack of equal access between neighborhoods.
The Devastating Consequences of the Current Established Biking System
Additionally, since 2020, there have been 50 reported crashes and three deaths due to neighborhood density and reckless driving. Also, the city is not very equipped for safe cycling. Moreover, Chicago’s white neighborhoods had 50% more bike lanes than black neighborhoods. This shows us that starting from this, there is no equality amongst both races.
There was even a study conducted by Jesus Barajas, an assistant professor of environmental science found that from 2017 to 2019, a cyclist riding in the city’s Black neighborhoods was eight times more likely to be ticketed by police as opposed to those riding in white neighborhoods.
The Cycling Experience of Johnny Harris
Racial equity is a problem and an issue that is expressed in the cycling community. This was the experience of Johnny Harris. Harris was given a ticket from the Chicago Police Department for riding on the sidewalk. He explained that he briefly jumped onto the sidewalk to avoid potholes and to prevent a crash. However, the CPD did not care and fined him $50, anyway.
Thus, the experience of Harris was an example of racial inequality. There was also a Chicago Tribune analysis that was conducted. To which results were that between 2008 and 2016, the cyclist communities that were the most ticketed were the Black and Latino groups.
The Investment in New Bike Lanes
Many people in the city of Chicago for sure are for the new investment in order to extend the bike lanes and to establish them more securely. Cyclists in the community of Little Village also agree with this reform and for them to be more well structured.
Jose, a fellow community member, said, “The city should have done this way back then in order to prevent all the deaths that other fellow cyclists have gone through.” This claim demonstrates that people are concerned about the very dangerous system that cyclists have to endure and that there has got to be a change, which with this new investment people in the communities of Chicago expect eagerly.
Written by Jeanette Sanchez
Sources:
Business Insider India: Chicago is spending over $17 million to add miles of new bike lanes — all in hopes of curbing segregation and boosting racial equity
NBC Chicago: Chicago Department of Transportation Plans 150 New Miles of Bike Paths as Part of Cycling Program
Secret Chicago: The Chicago Department Of Transportation Releases A Plan To Create 150 Miles Of Bike Paths With A Revamped Cycling Program
Chicago.gov: CDOT Releases Updated Cycling Strategy to Expand Bike Network and Increase Everyday Cycling in Chicago
Grist: In Chicago, cyclists in Black neighborhoods are over-policed and under-protected
Interview: Jose; July 4, 2023
Featured Image Courtesy of S. Davis Flickr Page-Creative Commons License
Inset Images Courtesy of Paul Krueger Flickr Page-Creative Commons License
