Hi, I’ll be live-tweeting this afternoon’s Chicago Mayor’s Bicycle Advisory Council (MBAC) meeting for @ChiDocumenters #ChiDocumenters
02:26 PM Mar 4, 2020 CST
The MBAC includes members representing a broad spectrum of backgrounds, from health care and enforcement and community groups. Several City departments are also represented.
MBAC focuses on a wide range of bicycle issues: safety, education, enforcement, and infrastructure investment. The Council will help identify issues, discuss ideas and set priorities for bicycle planning in Chicago.
More information: https://chicagocompletestreets.org/getinvolved/mayors-advisory-councils/
The MBAC meeting is set for this afternoon at 3:00pm in room 1103 of Chicago’s City Hall, 121 N LaSalle St.
Today’s meeting will include a presentation regarding the Free Bikes 4 Kidz program. Here’s their flyer https://t.co/vYVOQYcWrh
The MBAC meeting has begun at 3:05pm. Sean Wiedel from CDOT calls the meeting to order. Reps from Streetsblog, CDOT, Vision Zero, Free Bikez 4 Kidz, Divvy, MBAC north regions, Working Bikes, Critical Mass, Bike Lane Uprising, AARP, WTTW, other groups and depts are present.
The Bicycle Ambassadors are now going by the name SAFE (Streets Are For Everyone) Ambassadors.
Fatality updates: On Saturday a cyclist was killed in Garfield Park. Driver did not remain on the scene. Incident is still under investigation.
News article: https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/bicyclist-killed-after-hit-and-run-in-east-garfield-park/2228651/
Vision Zero action plans are in development. Soon to be released is the Downtown plan, followed by southside plans later on.
Info regarding Vision Zero: https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/cdot/supp_info/vision-zero-chicago.html
Peters’ call to action:
- Attend the Milwaukee Protected Bike Lane meeting once scheduled
- Contact your Alderman about starting a Transportation Advisory Committee
- Build coalitions beyond ward boundaries
The board discusses how to measure the impact on local businesses of parking reduction when adding cycling infrastructure. Some business owners have been concerned that taking away parking spots for cycling infrastructure will negatively impact sales.
A man asks CDOT if they have considered how to provide incentives to local businesses (e.g., small tax cut) to participate in transportation projects. CDOT reps say they have not but will consider this possibility.
Eckner discusses the Lawrence - Clarendon intersection, its dangers, and its need for redesign or changes to improve pedestrian and cyclist safety. https://t.co/67BRp1AkBP
Eckner notes pedestrian usage of lakefront bike trails and asks for everyone to submit feedback: https://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/parks-facilities/lakefront-trail (comment form at the bottom)
Eckner also notes that cyclists may need to be more mindful of slowing down in portions of the trail where pedestrians may be walking (even if they are indeed bike trails). Notes that some paths were historically walking trails but were converted to bike paths.
Sean Wiedel provides updates for the scooter pilot program.
More info regarding the program: https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/cdot/supp_info/escooter-share-pilot-project.html
Wiedel notes some of the biggest scooter complaints were folks riding on the sidewalk and sloppy parking practices.
We are watching a video regarding Lyft’s investment in Chicago. Divvy is expanding to more communities.
Divvy total bike # will remain at about 6000. E-bikes will replace “normal” bikes as they are retired and phased out. Eventually the majority will be E-bikes.
FB4K is having a bike donation event on April 4th. Bikes will be collected at various Chicago Fire Department and Home Depot locations. See this page for more info: https://fb4kchicago.org/donate/donate-a-bike/
Public comment time: A man discusses the dangers presented by vehicular high speeds instead of the bike vs. pedestrian dangers.
A woman brings up her safety concerns on the 606 trail, especially since a cyclist was recently stabbed (article: https://blockclubchicago.org/2020/02/24/bicyclist-stabbed-on-the-606-after-attacker-knocks-him-off-bike-hits-him/).
The MBAC meeting has adjourned as of 4:55pm. The next meeting will be Wednesday, June 10th.
This concludes my coverage for #CHIDocumenters @CHIdocumenters
Please see the Mayor’s Bicycle Advisory Council (MBAC) website for more information. Reply to this thread or DM me with any questions.