Quote:
Originally Posted by untitledreality
Can't be any worse than those four wheel, four passenger road blocks that currently populate the path in the summer months.
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I have a pipe-dream solution for that, but it has the possibility of being unpopular with the majority of the public and it would also be very expensive.
I'd like to see a bicycle expressway constructed just West of the existing Lakeshore trail. There would be sufficient buffer space between LSD and the bicycle expressway. The route would be depressed about 3 feet to denote limited access, but maintain visibility of the lakefront. It would also allow shallower ramp approaches for tunnels / bridges where peds would cross over or under the trail.
Most of the routing would follow up alongside LSD. It would be coordinated with future reconstruction of aging LSD overpasses and pedestrian tunnels.
This would be a complete reconstruction of the lakefront trail, but again would be coordinated with LSD modernization and reconstruction in the future.
Access would be restricted to only bicycles on the new bicycle expressway. Bicycles would be prohibited on the existing lakefront trail except kids under a certain age applicable in current bicycle laws. Quadracycles would be prohibited on the new bicycle expressway but would be permitted on the existing lakefront trail.
It would be 4 lanes with a yellow dashed centerline...however solid white "express" thru lanes with occasional dashed sections. Some shoulder space would be provided.
The architecture would be similar to that of solidarity drive. Simple graffiti-resistant tan concrete surfaces...fine burnished texture with rounded corners. Not only is the appearance attractive but it's more forgiving to impact and collision in terms of safety than traditional retaining wall construction. This would be broken up by softscapes throughout.
I have no doubt in my mind that non-cyclists will enter this space. But the current trail does receive heavy policing and enforcement during the warmer months when conflict is the biggest issue.
Anyway, I've thought it out from time to time. Even considered constructing some design imagery. But it's unlikely I'd ever see something like this. I mean the Navy Pier flyover is costing tens of millions.