Obstruction from aldermen, plus an emphasis on quantity over quality, means this plan isn't going to result in the cohesive, citywide protected bikeway network we need.
It's great that these needed improvements are coming to Logan/Western at last, but tragic that they weren't done before two young men lost their lives.
There are political and logistical hurdles to removing parking to make room for protected bike lanes in Chicago, but there's reason to believe the tide may be turning.
Are they a pragmatic, better-than-nothing approach on streets where stripping parking is seen as a nonstarter. Or are they a depressing capitulation to car culture?
The Active Transportation Alliance analyzed Chicago's progress on creating an all-ages, all abilities cycling network and renewed the call for a network of protected bike lanes.