Bike Lanes Have Own Plows?
We thought Rahm was trying to standardize things across the board. Specialization costs money:
- Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s decision to create a network of protected bike lanes in Chicago has given way to a divided system of snow removal.
The Department of Streets and Sanitation removes the snow from city streets. The Chicago Department of Transportation keeps the bike lanes clear.
“We’ve split up the responsibility. We’ve taken on the bike lane [snow removal] in the Department of Transportation. They get salted, just as a standard roadway would. And we plow them,” said Transportation Commissioner Gabe Klein.
And the lanes that have vehicle parking on the inside? Oh yeah, don't mention those. Or the plastic bike-lane marking tubes that are being ripped out of the pavement every time they plow.
Labels: dumb ideas
posted by SCC at 12:03 AM
66 Comments:
and lets not forget the pedestrian crossing markers in the middle of the street that confuse people and make them think its a stop sign. those get ripped up and crashed into as well.
We obviously need to outsource or sell the bike lanes to some Abu Dhabi outfit with a 99 year contract.
Can I bid to shovel a half block of bike lane in front of my house?
Near my house, one of those pedestrian crossing signs in the middle of the street is now just a lowly, little black stump in the pavement. They probably got those signs from Vanecko Street Sign Emporium.
*Old Man to his Grandson after witnessing this foolishness*
"What's that goin' on over there, boy?"
"There go dat bullshit you were tellin' us about Granddaddy."
"Boy, bring your ol' Gran'daddy his "medicine."
Bike lanes have their OWN dedicated snow plows?
Jeez... Fuckery in perpetuity...
How else will the Party members get to city hall on their bikes in their green uniforms and red star caps? They must honor Chairman Mao, Che and Chairman Rahm by doing the people's work.
They need to hurry so that they can honor the life of Chavez. I'm sure our socialist president will have some kind words which shall be echoed by Chairman Rahm. All good socialists must wear mourning bands.
Now the hippie wannabe ass wipes can get their unwashed asses to the coffee shops to plan more socialist subversion. And American taxpayers will be footing the bill.
Get to work, suckers.
Hey, Gabe. When is your pal millionaire Alison Cohen going to put in the elaborate network of Canadian-made Solar Stealabikes? You two seem to follow each other from town to town doing this little job...
...and this in Chicago, former home of Schwinn and Monark and so many other bike companies...
Pensions - CPD benefits already lag other Departments
NYPD officers pay 7 percent of salary to Pension. They can retire and collect after 20 years of service regardless of age and they get a COLA every year.
CPD officers pay 9 percent of salary to fund. Can retire after 20 years at 50 years of age and if born after 1955 do not get a COLA every year
This whole blatant wast of taxpayers money on the seldom used bike lanes is completely ridiculous.
I thought Rahm is always "representing" and " looking out for" the taxpayers. Really?? It's probably less than 1% of the citizenry that ever use these ridiculous bike lanes.
Meanwhile Rahm throws copious amounts of taxpayers money into this fiasco.
I sure hope the unions use this as an example of Rahm always seeming to "find" money for the silly things he wants to do but always cries broke when it comes to compensation for us.
Isn't there more pressing issues in Chicongo than bike lanes?Just one more thing to show he knows nothing about running a city, like his bud "da pres" knows nothing about running a country.
We pay for city stickers as revenue for services, why not have bikes be licensed to pay for these services?
And my street still has not been plowed as of 6am today. #uck you Rahm!!!!
Im mortified once again.
But no money for Pensions... squad cars... City worker contracts...
PRICK!!!!
who plows the cpd district lots--- they must be on furlo---
Get used to it. The bicycle is way of travel today for our young adults.
04:52's statement is right on the mark.
The care and maintenance of these bike lanes should have a fee.
Cars are registered,firearms are registered, why NOT bicycles?
This would give the mayor and the city council another "revenue stream"to "RAHM" to the people of Chicago.
It would also create jobs for aldercreature's community activists to maintain the lanes
Wonder who has the contracts to replace all that shit.
Screw the bike riders and foot pedestrians like they do to motorists. They should have a user fee or license tag for all bike lane users because they are using a city roadway that drivers have to pay to maintain. They should also start hammering pedestrians crossing against stop lights because if we run a light its a $100 dollar ticket. These idiots who are walking through the crosswalks trying to beat a car in a sense are running a light on foot and can cause an accident.
Talk about dumb ideas. What genius bought and paid for those pedestrian crossing things planted in the middle of some crosswalks across the city. the ones that aren't missing are so badly worn you can't even read them. Nice use of taxpayer money. Wonder who made out like a bandit on those.
Bike riders taht use bike lanes should be required to buy a city vehicle license for the price of a motorcycle license
" We obviously need to outsource or sell the bike lanes to some Abu Dhabi outfit with a 99 year contract."
That's funny..
and the city says its broke!!
I watched this in action last night!
A City salt tuck, with driver.
A guy with a shovel behind the salt truck tossing salt by hand.
A City Van with a driver and another "laborer" to toss salt by hand when laborer #1 gets tired.
THAT folks, is our tax dollars hard at work.
Fuck this town.
Its ridiculous, i just drove south on sacramento the other day, a route i had taken for years and was shocked to find a bike lane now reducing what once was a pretty decent two lane both north and south run from logan blvd to 55 down to one lane for the most part. For all the time i drove that route i might have come across maybe 1/2 dozen people on bikes (majority being vagrants !)Someone needs to let Rahmbo know that yuppies dont bike the ghetto !
I miss Chavez already.
There you go Rahm! 3/06/2013 04:52:00 AM has a great idea, City Stickers for bicycles. Why not?
They use the streets the same as motor vehicles.
And you can use the " revenue " for the children.
Daley could play stupid and everyone would believe it. But we all know he had mean streak in him.
Rahm on the other hand could never be accused as being innocent. He is an evil, vile, lying, little midget.
Anonymous said...
and lets not forget the pedestrian crossing markers in the middle of the street that confuse people and make them think its a stop sign. those get ripped up and crashed into as well.
3/06/2013 12:11:00 AM
==
Anonymous said...
Near my house, one of those pedestrian crossing signs in the middle of the street is now just a lowly, little black stump in the pavement. They probably got those signs from Vanecko Street Sign Emporium.
3/06/2013 12:46:00 AM
-
They're built to break off if they're hit, otherwise they would damage cars and people when they're hit.
Slowly, they're all disappearing. They're hazardous. Locals, and especially out of towners, frantically slamming on their brakes, totally confused by the damned things... is not very safe FOR THE CHILDREN (or anybody else), Rahm.
I have someone who just wipes my @$$!
The politicians secure excellent pensions,then try to screw everyone else's!
The cost of these additional/duplicative services
should be recovered by licensing and ordinance enforcement on the scofflaw bicyclists. It's for the children.
I've got to ask ... what's with all the hatred towards bike riders in Chicago? Of all the things that make it hard for CPD to do their job in this town, do bicycles really rank that high?
and lets not forget the pedestrian crossing markers in the middle of the street that confuse people and make them think its a stop sign. those get ripped up and crashed into as well.
3/06/2013 12:11:00 AM
Those damned signs can't get smashed fast enough. What idot is responsible for those? They confuse poor drivers and embolden foolish pedestians that think they can walk and cross anywhere.They believe drivers MUST yield to the almighty walker anywhere and anytime,even against the light. I've got three tons of steel to stop. You have to stop your feet.
How many accidents? How much have these cost? How many hurt?
OT
Look at this. Tow idiots in VRI last night go out and tow TWENTY TWO cars along Roosevelt road last night during the snow fall. This is the biggest joke in the freaking world. Why in the hell would you do 22 snow tows. Not only are you two strokes but thanks for bringing in money for Ralm.
To all you bozos that are gonna say they are just doing their jobs, give me a break. I can see doing 4 5 or even 6 to just say you are doing something. But to come in with 22, you are just two idiots on this department. When you get your pension cut, when you get a 1% pay raise over 4 years, when you get to pay more for your health insurance come talk to me.
Twenty two tows for two idiots. I am so proud of you guys. I hope Lt Serb gets you and honorable mention for you great police work. You guys are geniuses.
I love SCC, gives me laughs for the day...
We pay for city stickers as revenue for services, why not have bikes be licensed to pay for these services?
3/06/2013 04:52:00 AM
----------------------------------
An excellent observation. What should a bike license be? $25? $40?
They should have to pay something. They certainly mess up traffic.
Off track a bit,,, Listened to a few Sgts lately and you bet ur sweet behind that the ratification of their contract is coming. "I don't like it but I am going take what is best for me". Basically is saying Phuc you guys I'm taking my 1 percent and no changes ( in his Lil pea brain mentality) to my contract and vote yes. thinking that " it is inevitable" so let's cave in now sets the tone that some Sgts are us against you and that is the way is going to be and all you po's will like it. no don't like it but ..... Thx for the believing in the city and mayor who is just thinking of your best interest ... This sgt should send ald brooking a resume to be his partner , Just saying ....
Another layer of government complete with commissioners, managers, superintendents, deputy's and pr staffing.
A street is a street, bike lane is incidental? Just like parking spaces that happen to be on the street.
And if streets aren't cleared enough for cars to park, LAZ Parking LLC gets paid for SOS & DOT failures.
Privatization of snow plowing in the works.
Sequestration hasn't come to CHICAGO yet.
No cutbacks on Maggie Daley Pk.
Anonymous said...
04:52's statement is right on the mark.
The care and maintenance of these bike lanes should have a fee.
Cars are registered,firearms are registered, why NOT bicycles?
This would give the mayor and the city council another "revenue stream"to "RAHM" to the people of Chicago.
It would also create jobs for aldercreature's community activists to maintain the lanes
3/06/2013 08:50:00 AM
Bicycle TOLL BOOTHS! THAT's what we need!
I have never hated this city/country more than in these past few years.....city spends money on bullshit, Usa spends money on bullshit and a majority of the people dont have a fucking clue what is going on. This pension issue will end badly, our union has no power left.
Anonymous said...
I've got to ask ... what's with all the hatred towards bike riders in Chicago? Of all the things that make it hard for CPD to do their job in this town, do bicycles really rank that high?
3/06/2013 02:42:00 PM
It's not the bikers, but the poor planning of proper safe lanes for riders. Countries in Europe have bike lanes. Does this idiot run city consider existing models, NO! Some streets should not have riders on bike exposed to massive semi's. Some streets in Chicago should not have semi's barreling down their street. Lots of corruption and left side doesn't know what the rigth side is doing. Not as simple as "not liking bikers"
These bike lanes and the little sticks are just making it even more dangerous to drive in the City.
Des Plaines used to be a nice, three lane one-way street, now it's been reduced to two and once you get South across Harrison they've also added angled parking so parked vehicles are sticking out into lanes of traffic.
I'd gladly pay for bike registration (although I only bike in the summer) if I knew it wasn't going in some fucking alderman's pocket or for a useless park.
--No Cop Here
All this shit does is provide money to the connected contractors. Not only in the original cost but also the expensive upkeep. From the medians, to the new expensive streetlights, to these bike lanes.
"A City salt truck, with driver, A guy with a shovel behind the salt truck tossing salt by hand."
3/06/2013 09:33:00 AM
Salt-thrower mechanism broken down, and they wanted every truck they had out salting?
First time I heard this. Never seen it, but there are hundreds of trucks and I'm sure it could happen. Where was the shovel guy, riding on the back? Sounds a little dangerous, but maybe he was clipped into something?
"...pedestrian crossing markers in the middle of the street..."
3/06/2013 12:11:00 AM
State law.
http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/publicacts/fulltext.asp?Name=096-1165
These dedicated bike lanes are a complete waste of street space, traffic is already among the worst in the nation and I bike more miles than I drive in this city. cyclists dont deserve a separate lane. If your afraid to ride with traffic move to the burbs and ride their forest trails.
I've got to ask ... what's with all the hatred towards bike riders in Chicago? Of all the things that make it hard for CPD to do their job in this town, do bicycles really rank that high?
3/06/2013 02:42:00 PM
With their contempt for speed laws and traffic control signs and signals, their failure to adhere to lane usage, their stunning lack of light (or reflective) clothing or headlamps... why on earth would anyone have a problem with them?
Those bike lanes are the biggest fucken joke... There's laws on the books ("Rules of The Road" anyone?) that regulate how vehicles SHARE the road. The problem is the fucken assholes on bikes that weave in/out of traffic, ignore lights, ride 5 across and fuck up traffic, etc...
And what kind of moron PLOWS bike lanes? It's WINTER. Do you see motorcycles out? Not bloody likely unless the roads have been dry for a while and it's warm... So we want to encourage morons to be on bikes in the middle of winter with sub-zero or sub-freezing temps? Insane...
And driving a plow? Don't even get me started - those guys drive for so many hours, they're seeing double and triple and you expect them to avoid a tiny little plastic bullshit hump in the road? HA!... It's a T A R G E T!!! If I were in a plow, I'd take every, single, one of them out that I could... Sheer off those plastic holders too...
Screw this = let's just get back to basics. Cars weigh more than bikes. Bikes need to ride WITH traffic on the far right hand corner. Pedestrians need to LOOK BOTH WAYS BEFORE CROSSING THE STREET - YIELD to traffic before stepping off the curb. Expecting a 2/3/4/+++ ton vehicle to stop on a dime for a moron texting and not looking both ways? ha! More dumbocrat bullshit...
Fuck Shitcago... Cesspool. Get rid of all the dumbocrats and let's get BACK TO WORK...
The cost of these additional/duplicative services
should be recovered by licensing and ordinance enforcement on the scofflaw bicyclists. It's for the children.
3/06/2013 12:52:00 PM
Totally agree. Go and find the Screaming Video on bicycles & their 'rights' NOT ONE mention in the whole video of MCC's to charge the bicyclist with (and how to do it properly - Mover or ANOV) in the whole 12 minute video.
But plenty of references of what to charge the motorist with. Gee, I wonder who came up with the money for that one
Believe it or not, you shold be able to find it here: https://cleartube.chicagopolice.org/CLEARtube/publicList.jsfx
Except it has an expired security certificate (imagine that!) and doesn't load properly. The city that works !
I've got to ask ... what's with all the hatred towards bike riders in Chicago? Of all the things that make it hard for CPD to do their job in this town, do bicycles really rank that high?
3/06/2013 02:42:00 PM
I know! Of all the waste and malfeasance going on in this City, any story about Bicycles draws the unbridled wrath of SCC. Definitely a Harley guy....
Anonymous said...
"A City salt truck, with driver, A guy with a shovel behind the salt truck tossing salt by hand."
3/06/2013 09:33:00 AM
Salt-thrower mechanism broken down, and they wanted every truck they had out salting?
First time I heard this. Never seen it, but there are hundreds of trucks and I'm sure it could happen. Where was the shovel guy, riding on the back? Sounds a little dangerous, but maybe he was clipped into something?
3/06/2013 08:43:00 PM
Nope. It was an orange C DOT truck, the ones used to spread asphalt. No salt spreader on the thing. Just the 2 X 2 opening on the back of the tailgate. Laborer #1 was walking behind the truck with a shovel tossing salt by hand.
Now, if my CPS math is right; that’s 2 drivers, 2 trucks, and 2 Laborers (I don’t know, #3 might have been laying down sleeping, if he was smart!) doing the job that ONE guy in ONE truck usually does a pretty good job of doing. I DID witness a regular City truck drive by and spread salt. The salt seemed to go not only into the street, but the bike lane as well…
Sound like a waste of money to you?
Did you see the story about how the city treasurer wants CPD to initiate mass "stop & frisk" because her son is afraid to ride his bike this summer? I guess the treasury has xtra cash to settle the xtra lawsuits.
Do bike lanes exist when they can't be seen ?
snow covered, dirty, or not maintained?
NO.
It's the sound of a fallen tree in the forest question.
With their contempt for speed laws and traffic control signs and signals, their failure to adhere to lane usage, their stunning lack of light (or reflective) clothing or headlamps... why on earth would anyone have a problem with them?
3/06/2013 09:10:00 PM
Contempt for speed laws? The speed limit is 25, and most cyclists can't hit that going downhill. Your rant is idiotic.
In the Loop, bike lanes have slowed traffic on Dearborn considerably. A truely stupid idea.
Did you see the story about how the city treasurer wants CPD to initiate mass "stop & frisk" because her son is afraid to ride his bike this summer? I guess the treasury has xtra cash to settle the xtra lawsuits.
Isn't she late in realizing this? :)
Anonymous said...
With their contempt for speed laws and traffic control signs and signals, their failure to adhere to lane usage, their stunning lack of light (or reflective) clothing or headlamps... why on earth would anyone have a problem with them?
3/06/2013 09:10:00 PM
Contempt for speed laws? The speed limit is 25, and most cyclists can't hit that going downhill. Your rant is idiotic.
3/07/2013 04:17:00 PM
Rant? You must live a sheltered life, if you thought that was a rant.
First, the speed limit here isn't 25mph. Second, 'speed laws' are not limited to what the posted signs read. There is such a thing as 'due caution' and there's 'reckless endangerment', as well as 'too fast for conditions'.
'Oblivious to everything and everyone around them' falls into its own, special, category.
Anonymous said...
In the Loop, bike lanes have slowed traffic on Dearborn considerably. A truely stupid idea.
3/07/2013 07:55:00 PM
You are correct. On streets where there are bike lanes w/ the white sticks, travel times have doubled (tripled on Kinzie). If you have to cab it to a meeting, you have to leave early.
As for the snow removal, one pass by S & S plow: 1 guy,1 min/blk. CDOT crew:4 guys, 10 mins/blk.
Remember, they want 100 miles of these. That's a lot of resources for a City that's hurtin'.
But........
Coming soon: Shared Bikes!
In theory, ride in on Metra, "rent" a bike outside the station, ride it to a drop point near your destination (using the bike lanes), then proceed to your meeting and/or office. Or you can get stuck in a traffic jam, in the back seat of a taxi ($$), because there are less lanes for cars, etc.. All while wearing a suit (PHEW!).
Check out DC. TOTAL GRIDLOCK. Gabe was there and is bringing it here. BTW DC. How are those bike lanes now with the recent snow fall you had?
Finally: Why are there bike lanes on Lake St (around Sacramento) and on Independence? REALLY??
'Oblivious to everything and everyone around them' falls into its own, special, category.
3/07/2013 09:55:00 PM
why, yes, yes, it does.
Chalkie
Anonymous Anonymous said...
We pay for city stickers as revenue for services, why not have bikes be licensed to pay for these services?
3/06/2013 04:52:00 AM
Why not pull over the Cyclists that disregard the Rules of the Road (wrong way/one way street, blowing red lights, etc..) before you complain about getting them licensed for a Wheel Tax Emblem?
More and more stuff if being given to Finance and the City Clerk to write...thanks to a lack of 'activity' by the CPD in certain areas.
Anonymous said...
In the Loop, bike lanes have slowed traffic on Dearborn considerably. A truely stupid idea.
GOOD.
That is a 30 MPH street.
With their contempt for speed laws and traffic control signs and signals, their failure to adhere to lane usage, their stunning lack of light (or reflective) clothing or headlamps... why on earth would anyone have a problem with them?
3/06/2013 09:10:00 PM
Contempt for speed laws? The speed limit is 25, and most cyclists can't hit that going downhill. Your rant is idiotic.
3/07/2013 04:17:00 PM
It's spot on for the rest of it though.
Anonymous Anonymous said...
These bike lanes and the little sticks are just making it even more dangerous to drive in the City.
Des Plaines used to be a nice, three lane one-way street, now it's been reduced to two and once you get South across Harrison they've also added angled parking so parked vehicles are sticking out into lanes of traffic.
3/06/2013 06:47:00 PM
Simple Solution....
Have they put up the "Diagonal Parking Only" signs yet?
If not...
9-64-020(a): Parallel Park (excluding MCY/Motorscooter) or parked Wrong Direction.
But then you'd have to go Nail all the vehicles on Randolph from 800 West to 1500 West.
Post a Comment
<< Home