I biked my way through Lima, Peru, earlier this month, and while the streets are crazy congested, one of the features I enjoyed the most was the capital city’s extensive system of boulevard bike paths—an idea I’d love to see copied in Chicago.
Reed said he could imagine Chicago taking a similar approach in the medians of Stony Island Avenue, which would make it easier to pedal to the upcoming Obama Presidential Center from the far south side. The strategy might also work nicely on many of the grassy strips within Chicago’s extensive boulevard system, including thoroughfares like King, Drexel, the Midway Plaisance, Garfield, Western, 31st, California, Marshall, Douglas, Independence, Franklin, Sacramento/Humboldt, Kedzie, and Logan.
Come on, Chicago Department of Transportation, how about taking this idea for a spin?
As Bogotá bike advocates I’ve spoken with have pointed out, Ciclovías are a highly cost-effective way to provide recreational opportunities across a city, something Chicago sorely needs. But given the previous lack of support for Open Streets from the Richard M. Daley and Rahm Emanuel administrations, plus our city’s current budget problems, I won’t hold my breath for City Hall to step up. v
