As we recently discuss on our Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog, the city constructed the Kinzie bike lane to help ensure the safety of cyclists on our roadways and to help reduce the congestion of traffic through the city. Mayor Emanuel previously promised a 100 new miles of shared bike lanes. Kinzie is a new breed of separated bike lanes that officials believe will further reduce the risk of a serious or fatal accident.Such lanes are meant to significantly decrease the risks of bicycle accidents in Chicago in areas that are congested and dangerous. Approximately 20 percent of the traffic on Chicago roadways is made up of cyclists.
The Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) completed the construction of the Kinzie Street Protected Bike Lane in July.
According to a recently conducted study on resident’s reviews on Kinzie Bike Lane:
-Of surveyed bikers, nearly 90 percent of them state that they feel safe or very safe on the bike lane.
-Nearly 50 percent of those who were surveyed reported that they feel that motorist’s behavior has improved since the installation of the Kinzie bike lane.
-Bicycling traffic during rush hour is up nearly 60 percent since completion.
-A study from the CDOT reported that more than 40 percent of surveyed individuals admitted to changing their routes in the city to now take the new bike lane.
-CDOT reported that currently bicyclists account for approximately 55 percent of eastbound traffic and more than 30 percent of all traffic.
-Westbound traffic during the morning rush hour from Wells to Milwaukee has decreased.
-Rush hour during the evening hours has decreased in both directions.
-The project is still making more changes to the area. Some of the changes that are planned include increasing access to the lane and installing new signage and red-flashing beacons.
CDOT says that it will be continuing to seek the public’s opinion on the new Kinzie bike lane to help make further improvements. Residents are urged to contact CDOT with and questions, comments or concerns regarding the Kenzie bike lane or any other transportation issues.
It’s about making sure that every dollar we spend is focused on building a city that works for all of its residents,” says Mayor Emanuel.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there were are more than 700 people killed and more than 500,000 people that are injured because of traffic-related bicycle accidents in the U.S. each year.
If you or a loved one has been injured in an Illinois bicycling accident, contact the injury attorneys at Abels & Annes for a free, no obligation consultation. Call us at 312-924-7575 or contact us online.
More Blog Entries:
Chicago bicycle accident lawyer takes on 2 new cases, Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer Blog, September 22, 2011
As summer ends, Chicago bike accident attorneys file two more lawsuits, Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer Blog, September 7, 2011