What is Digg?18 Comments
- maiku00, on 10/12/2007, -1/+5Very cool. I wish all cities would do this. Minneapolis has some bike lanes around the downtown areas, but its really nothing like I would wish it to be. Bikes can be loaded on buses and trains here though, which is pretty nice.
- Braamer, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3I am from chicago and living in Germany. I have found there is a fundamental difference in the structure of european cities, including what appears to be a greatly reduced distance between essential institutions, work, groceries, etc. which allows for a tollerable ride even in the snow. In addition to this, the auto wielding public are inherently more aware of bicycle traffic, bringing a level of security that I have never felt at home. also, nearly every appartment building has a garage for residents bikes, and most business have a place for you to lock them up. Everyone rides here, from the 5 year olds on their way to kindergarten, to my 78 yr old neighbor who has trouble walking. $6.50 gas, and city planning from the middle ages makes riding here a necessity, not an option.
I have a tendency to agree with the above statements that this program is probably not revolutionary, but
I think when combined with more effective public transport, and a little driver awareness, Chicago could become easier to live in without a car. - maiku00, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2If you lived in a cold city like Chicago Minneapolis or NY, you would know that people go outside and bike/walk whatever, regardless if it is cold or not. 10 degree weather isnt so bad when you live with it 2/3rds of the year.
- newevilmind, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2it's not below 60, 8 months of the year. That is an exxageration. There is a traffic problem in chicago.
This is a way to possibly help. - everton4, on 10/12/2007, -1/+3It's not a bad idea..but I hope this doesn't divert cash away from the upkeep/maintenance/improvement of the CTA buses and trains.
- littlemazeton2, on 10/12/2007, -2/+4We need more bike lanes in the south side. So I guess this is good.
- wolf530, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1@newevilmind / n64man987
Please see sources on Chicago temperature:
http://www.cityrating.com/citytemperature.asp?City=Chicago
http://weather.yahoo.com/climo/USIL0225_f.html
The first one says the avg temp is below 60 degrees 8 months of the Year. Yahoo says that the avg high is below 60 degrees 6 months of the year. - dapperdrake, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Madison is also a very good bike city.
- Chongo, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1From my understanding, everything with the CTA has been paid for.... Thats why they are closing down browline stations for up to 12-18 months!
Also, CTA gets it's money directly from the illinois state gov. The whole bike thing gets paid for by the city. - Chongo, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2Not to worry! in another 5 years it will be a nice 80Ë™ all year round!
- Superc00kie, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1quote: "Pardon me for being a pessimist, but this initiative is DOA. We're talking about Chicago, where the average temperature is below 60 degrees eight months of the year!"
Then I suggest getting a warm coat! I use my bike to get to work all the time, no matter how cold it is. - bodum, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1Münster in Germany has won several medals for it's bike support. Statistically every person living in Münster has 2 bikes.
Details:
http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fahrradstadt_M%C3%BCnster - fuathurio, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0I'm totally in favor of any action that makes streets safer and more pleasant for cyclists. I bike to work in Chicago on one of the better (street) routes, Elston. It's a long straight diagonal street that takes me 12 miles from the city to my job in the suburbs. For the most part I feel safe but I can't recommend the route for anyone not comfortable biking in traffic or not capable of moving at least 10 miles an hour. Some of the proposed ideas including:
-Raising the bike lanes so drivers have a physical signal warning them they are drifting where they shouldn't
-painting these lanes bright colors to warn these same drivers to stay out
are great ideas that may lead me to feel comfortable recommending this route to the uninitiated.
Beyond safety which is the fear I hear most from people curious about starting this up is staying clean for work. Lucky for me I have a YMCA across the street from my job so I rent a locker and shower before getting to work, but not all my friends are so lucky. I've worked in offices with small employee gyms with a shower which was similarly lucky. Someone needs to do something to encourage businesses to provide a facility like this for those genuinely interested in this method of commuting but less than enthusiastic about running a meeting after towling off in the bathroom. - fuathurio, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0I lived in Madison for 7 years and a job on the west side with no car and okay but long bus rides got me started on the bike commuting. I have to agree Madison has some great bike methods, all downtown traffic is separated from bike traffic by raised concrete, and bike trails went straight to business parks for the most part. It was wonderful. I've lived in Chicago for 2 and it hasn't been terrible but I definitely wouldn't have started here if I hadn't grown so addicted to cycling in Madison.
- wolf530, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1Pardon me for being a pessimist, but this initiative is DOA. We're talking about Chicago, where the average temperature is below 60 degrees eight months of the year!
Don't get me wrong: I'm all about supporting these kinds of green projects. The more people we have doing this kind of stuff, the better. But I'm in complete agreement with everton4 about upkeep of the normal public transportation. They'd do better to divert real amounts of money, instead of token pledges, to creating a more sustainable public transportation system. Howabout greener buses? More L lines? City ordinances requiring all taxis be of a hybrid persuasion?
If you're concerned about people's health, why not subsidize memberships to local gyms, providing an economic boost to that market and giving people an incentive to take part in communal exercise? - GopherGod, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Now Al Gore won't have to use a Limo in the Windy City.
- n64man987, on 10/12/2007, -1/+0*Daley*....ok so i can't spell
- n64man987, on 10/12/2007, -1/+0I'm from Chicago and I can say that this is honestly just part of Dailey's personal mission to beautify the city. He would love to turn the city into a giant park that is full of paths, this is as close as he can get.
And saying its under 60 for 8 months in the year is an exaggeration. Remember that this city is one that defines itself by outdoor activities involved with the lake front. Its not like we just sit inside all year with a heavy blanket.
The Digg Toolbar for Firefox lets you Digg, submit content, and keep track of Digg even when you're not on the Digg site. Download the official 
© Digg Inc. 2009
— Content created and posted by Digg users is