Motoring is triple threat to bicycling and the environment
Location: Northwest corner of Clark Street and Congress Parkway.
This photo shows the damage that automobiles inflict on our cities, environment, and, closest to my heart, bikes and bike parking.
An errant motorist jumped the curb and crashed first into the tree, then the bike rack, and finally the bike parked here. The LaSalle Blue Line station entrance is just steps away (in the background). Imagine the fate of a bicyclist who might have been locking their red Schwinn road bike to the bike rack only to find a 2-ton metal box hurtling in their direction. This photo makes clear how driving is a threat to so many aspects of our streets.
The collision had a direct monetary cost. The city will most likely pick up the tab for everything except replacing the bike. Here’s what I surmise from the photographed scene:
- Tree removal and replacement: >$1,000
- Bike rack removal and replacement: $450 ($300 for a new one, $150 to remove)
- Vintage Schwinn: $200
- Bike removal: $50
- Cleanup: $150
- Total: At least $1,850
Please drive carefully. Send me your photos of the automobile imposition – reader updates are here. But wait, I’ve encountered this again and again:
Location: Northwest corner of Elton Avenue and Cicero Avenue.
Location: Northwest corner of Lawrence Avenue and Kostner Avenue in front of Chicago Public Library, Mayfair branch.
UPDATE: Thanks for the mention, BikePortland.
Tags: automobile, bike parking, collision, damage, danger, driving, Environment, landscape, motoring, safety, streetscape
-Steven Vance
