January 08, 2025

Howard A. Learner

Fix It First for Bikeways as well as Roadways

Here's a suggested New Year’s resolution for the Chicago Department of Transportation: Fix the Bikeways

Here’s a suggested New Year’s resolution for the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT):  Fix the potholes and repair the bikeways in Chicago neighborhoods. Maintenance is needed for safe and enjoyable biking on Chicago neighborhood bikeways.

Chicago is steadily progressing to become more bike-friendly and safer with more protected bike lanes and striped neighborhood bike greenways. It’s time to focus more attention and resources on maintaining and repairing the current bikeways.

For example, the well-used Glenwood Greenway in the Edgewater community is a rough ride due to potholes, wide cracks, and bumps throughout the Devon Avenue to Foster Avenue ride. Not fun, not safe.

The photos below show the problem. Does anyone with a GoPro want to post a video?

CDOT, let’s fix this after the winter freeze and thaw cycle likely worsens it. The “City that Works” can do better here to make its bike-friendly progress stick and work well for all.