We’ve mentioned Chicago’s plan to build cycletracks, and now we see they’re going to unveil the pilot cycletrack in one week.
On June 17, Chicago will unveil a protected bike lane, aka “cycletrack“, on Kinzie Street between Milwaukee Avenue and Wells Street. According to the Tribune, the pilot project will use flexible posts and not concrete barriers. Much of the commentary around the project is cautiously optimistic.
Mayor Rahm Emanuel says this is just the beginning of an ambitious plan to add 100 miles of protected bike lanes. Chicago hired Gabe Klein as DOT head after his stint in DC working on protected bike-lanes, bike sharing, parking reform, and streetcars.
If other US metro bike successes are any indication, this could play out very well for Chicago, since it has the crucial combination of internal champions and supportive politicians.