Bike Traffic - August 2006

August 2006

City Focuses on Bike Lane Maintenance

Over the last decade, Chicago’s network of bike lanes and marked shared lanes has grown to 114 miles. With this large network of established on-street bikeways, the Chicago Department of Transportation’s focus is changing to take extra care of these existing bikeways.

A fresh bicycle symbol is affixed to the street by a city crew under a new, proactive maintenance program. (photo: courtesy of Chicago Department of Transportation)

Under a new partnership between the CDOT’s Division of Project Development and the Division of Infrastructure Management, worn bicycle pavement symbols, missing bike lane stripings and damaged signs are now being fixed.

Until recently, areas in need of maintenance were identified on a spot-by-spot basis. As specific areas became eroded, work orders were written for the repairs. Now, the system is more pro-active and all-encompassing.

Crews are re-striping markings, including faded bike lanes, on all east/west arterial streets in Chicago in 2006. All north/south arterial streets are scheduled for repair in 2007.

CDOT Bike Program staff also identify damaged bikeway signs and symbols in need of repair or replacement. Work orders are then written to fix these problems.

Bicycle, arrow, and chevron pavement markings have already been replaced in numerous locations, and maintenance crews have been reinstalling bike lane lines since April.

"Together these two divisions are making Chicago's bikeway system the best in the country,” said CDOT Acting Commissioner Cheri Heramb. “We are setting the standard for maintaining bicycle facilities in big cities.”