Growing Pains Expected as Protected Bike Lane Opens on Kinzie
By Chuck Sudo in News on Jun 24, 2011 1:00PM
So how's the protected bike lane on Kinzie Street working out? Some drivers love it. Some are bitching about it. Bikers seem to love it. Many drivers and cyclists have no idea what the project is about.
In short, about as well as can be expected.
The Sun-Times reports that rush hour traffic was heavier along the stretch of Kinzie where the bike lane runs. There were also a few instances of cars parking or driving in the bike lane. City official are attributing that to an inability to fully mark the lane with signage due the recent rains.
City bicycle program director Ben Gomberg said it will take some time for motorists and cyclists to adjust to the changes. CDOT spokesman Brian Steele said his department will be monitoring the traffic patterns to see if the intended results of less cars and more bikes on Kinzie is achieved.