Cyclists in the Streets

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel's most recent endeavor has been to morph Chicago into the "bike-friendliest city" in the United States. The $150 million going towards Bike 2015 Plan will add a network of over 100 miles of on-street bike paths, bus lanes, and signed routes (similar to those pictured left), and 10,000 bike racks. It also partners with the CTA to equip buses and trains with bike racks for commuters. The idea behind this plan is to persuade all persons with 5 mile commutes or less to bike to their destination rather than drive, a goal that seems quite reasonable and could generate many positive effects.

But with every positive-minded initiative comes controversy. With the enforcement of Bike 2015 Plan comes an annual cost of $25 to register bikes to the city. Citizens of Chicago are outraged by the idea that they have to "insure" their bike. I would be too. It may not seem like much, but on top of the skyrocketing tax rate in Cook County, it can really add up, especially for lower income families within the city limits.

In 2009 there were 1,484 crashes involving bicyclists. Mayor Emanuel's plan is supposed to cut that in half. Much of the city though is already equipped with bike lanes, over 100 miles in fact. Only 46 miles of bike paths will be added to Chicago's streets. I don't see that making as large a difference as the trusty politicians of the City of Chicago are anticipating.