Chicago Among Worst Cities for Bicyclist Safety

Bicycle safety ratings play a pivotal role in informing urban cyclists about the overall safety and reliability of their city’s biking infrastructure. These systems assess bike lane quality, connectivity, and accident rates, offering invaluable insight for both policymakers and everyday cyclists. 

Understanding how a city performed in these assessments may have significant ramifications on cyclists’ decisions as well as advocacy initiatives designed to improve cycling conditions in that location.

In the 2023 City Rankings released by People for Bikes, Chicago’s performance was particularly concerning. The city ranked near the bottom at 161 out of 163 evaluated big cities in the United States. This position is indicative of significant challenges within the city’s biking infrastructure and safety measures. [1]

By looking closely at data and pinpointing areas where Chicago falls short, our aim is to give an overall snapshot of cycling concerns within Chicago and identify avenues of potential improvement.

Overview of Chicago’s Performance in Recent Bicycle Safety Ratings

In the 2023 City Rankings released by PeopleForBikes, Chicago’s performance was notably poor. The city received a low score, landing 161st out of 163 evaluated large cities in the United States. This ranking indicates significant deficiencies in its bike infrastructure and overall safety measures for cyclists.

Comparison with Previous Years: Trends and Improvements

Examining Chicago’s performance over recent years reveals troubling trends. In 2021, Chicago received a score of just 16 out of 100, putting it in the bottom 10 percent of all cities evaluated (698th out of 767) and in the bottom 5 percent of large cities (99th out of 104). 

Despite efforts to upgrade biking infrastructure, Chicago remains among the lowest-ranked cities in these evaluations. This persistent poor performance underscores the need for a more aggressive approach to enhancing cycling conditions.

Accessibility and Safety for Cyclists

Chicago’s low scores reflect significant barriers to accessibility and safety for cyclists. The city’s biking infrastructure, characterized by subpar bike lanes and inconsistent connectivity, makes it challenging for cyclists to commute safely. Additionally, high accident rates further deter residents from choosing bicycles as a viable means of transportation. 

Key Factors Impacting Chicago’s Bikeability Score

To effectively address Chicago’s alarmingly low bike-ability score, it is essential to comprehend the underlying factors contributing to this rating and the broader implications for the city’s residents and urban development. 

By gaining a clear understanding of these issues, the appropriate entities can work towards creating a safer, more accessible, and bike-friendly city for all.

Safe Speed Limits

One critical element impacting Chicago’s bike-ability score is its speed limit policy. The city’s default speed limit of 30 mph means cars can legally travel at speeds that are unsafe for cyclists on almost every street.

This means nearly all of Chicago’s bike network is high-stress and not usable by most people who are interested in biking. Lower speed limits are critical in areas where cyclists and motor vehicles share the road, as slower speeds reduce the likelihood and severity of accidents.

Protected Bike Lanes

Protected bike lanes are essential for ensuring cyclist safety, and Chicago has invested millions of dollars in building dozens of miles of them over the past decade. 

However, the lack of seamless connectivity among these protected lanes poses a significant barrier. Without continuous, safe bike paths, many potential cyclists are deterred from utilizing bicycles as their primary mode of transportation.

Reallocated Space

Despite efforts to expand protected bike lanes, the total number remains insufficient. There is an urgent need to reallocate more road space for bike lanes to enhance safety and encourage higher bicycle use.

Misconception of Widening Streets

Some advocate widening streets to solve traffic congestion and improve cyclist safety. However, this approach often has unintended consequences. 

Wider streets tend to encourage higher vehicle speeds, which exacerbates the danger for cyclists sharing the road. Increased widths create an environment in which drivers feel more comfortable driving fast, thus raising the risk of accidents and severe injuries.

Intersection Treatments

Intersections are among the most hazardous areas for cyclists, with the second-highest incidence of bicycle accidents in Chicago occurring at these points. The complex nature of intersections, often involving multiple lanes and turning vehicles, makes it challenging for cyclists to predict motorist behavior and navigate these areas safely.

Improved intersection treatments, such as better traffic signals, clearer road markings, and dedicated cycling signals, are necessary to mitigate these risks and improve cyclists’ safety.

Bike Network Connections

Chicago’s current bike network rating is poor, indicating an unsafe and fragmented biking infrastructure. The city’s network lacks sufficiently safe bikeways, and existing gaps make cycling impractical and unsafe for daily commutes. Bridging these gaps is crucial for improving overall bikeability.

To address this, the city must focus on creating seamless, continuous bike routes that connect key areas, such as residential neighborhoods, business districts, and public spaces.

Trusted Data

Accurate and reliable crash data is vital for identifying high-risk areas and implementing effective safety measures. The city of Chicago keeps detailed records of where bike accidents most frequently occur, providing a valuable resource for targeted infrastructure improvements.

Other metrics such as the density of bike trails and the presence of bike-share docking stations play a significant role in shaping the city’s bikeability rating. A higher density of bike trails and more accessible docking stations can significantly enhance the convenience and attractiveness of cycling in Chicago. However, the city’s current offerings in these areas are not sufficient.

Comprehensive improvements across all these factors are essential for making significant strides in Chicago’s bike-ability, ensuring safer and more appealing cycling conditions for its residents.

Statistical Impact of Improved Bicycle Infrastructure

Investing in improved bicycle infrastructure has a demonstrable impact on cycling safety. For example, vehicle speed and the severity of an injury in a crash, even on residential streets, are directly correlated. 

Studies have shown that lower vehicle speeds result in fewer severe injuries and fatalities among cyclists, underscoring the importance of speed management in enhancing overall safety.

Creating a Network of Protected Bike Lanes

Establishing a comprehensive network of protected bike lanes across the city can significantly boost the overall mileage covered by cyclists and provide a safer, more comfortable riding environment. 

These lanes not only encourage more people to cycle but also ensure that cyclists feel secure while navigating busy urban streets. Physical barriers such as bollards, raised crosswalks, and bump-outs are essential components of these protected lanes and should be installed promptly.

Lessons from Other Cities

From Mexico City to Bogotá to Paris, Chicago has a lot to learn from their success in bicycle infrastructure. By acting rapidly and implementing safety measures these cities have decreased traffic fatalities and increased cycling and public transportation.

As the founder of Bike Grid Now commented, “We need raised crosswalks, we need bollards, we need bump outs, we need things that protect vulnerable road users and not just rely on people driving well.” 

By emulating these strategies, Chicago can enhance its bike-ability and reduce traffic-related incidents, ultimately fostering a safer, more cyclist-friendly urban environment.

If Chicago is truly committed to creating a safe, comfortable atmosphere for the thousands of bike riders who commute, it needs to aggressively continue to expand its network of protected bike lanes and look for examples outside of Chicago to follow.

Current Challenges and Areas for Improvement

The ongoing commitment to improving cycling infrastructure in Chicago necessitates a clear understanding of the current challenges faced and identifying specific areas for improvement. Addressing these issues head-on will ensure a more efficient and effective implementation of safety measures.

Connectivity of Bike Lanes

One of the critical challenges Chicago faces is the insufficient connectivity between existing bike lanes. While several neighborhoods boast well-established lanes, there are significant gaps, creating a fragmented network that deters potential cyclists from using bicycles as a primary mode of transport. 

This lack of connectivity leads to higher-risk areas where cyclists must share the road with motor vehicles, increasing the likelihood of accidents.

High-Risk Zones

Certain high-risk zones in Chicago still present considerable danger to cyclists. These areas, often characterized by heavy traffic, high speeds, and inadequate cycling infrastructure, contribute to safety concerns that discourage broader public adoption of cycling.

Specific intersections and corridors are notorious for collisions, necessitating urgent interventions to mitigate these risks. According to crash data, Milwaukee Avenue, Halsted Street, Damen Avenue, Clark Street, and Wells Street are the most dangerous areas for Chicago cyclists.

Ongoing and Planned Projects

To address these challenges, Chicago has initiated several projects aimed at expanding and enhancing the bike lane network. Mayor Brandon Johnson’s recently released transition report includes recommendations to lower the speed limit and create a citywide network of protected bike lanes and neighborhood slow streets. 

Community Feedback and Expert Opinions

Community feedback and expert opinions have underscored the necessity for additional changes to genuinely enhance biking safety in Chicago. Residents and cycling advocates have pinpointed areas where critical infrastructure improvements are needed, while experts recommend adopting effective strategies from other cities.

According to the city’s rating system, which highlights Chicago’s vulnerabilities, there is momentum behind reducing the default speed limit of 30 mph—a speed many potential bicyclists find stressful.

Strong advocacy exists for developing a comprehensive citywide network of protected bike lanes and segregated paths to remedy the current shortcomings in cycling infrastructure. By prioritizing these enhancements, Chicago can significantly improve biking safety and attractiveness, rendering it a more viable and appealing mode of transportation for its residents.

The Road Ahead

The Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) recently unveiled the Chicago Cycling Strategy, a comprehensive plan to enhance the city’s bike infrastructure and foster a safer, more equitable, and inviting environment for cyclists. 

This initiative aims to develop 150 miles of predominantly low-stress bikeways, focusing on creating connected, healthy, and sustainable urban mobility. 

By aligning with the goals of the broader Chicago Works Capital Improvement Plan, the strategy seeks to make cycling a convenient option for local trips. One of the ambitious targets is to ensure that 70% of Chicagoans live within a half-mile of a low-stress bikeway, significantly up from the current 50%.

Future Plans Outlined in the Chicago Cycling Strategic Plan

CDOT’s strategic plan outlines several projects set to begin this spring, concentrating efforts on expanding the bike network neighborhood by neighborhood. 

Recent expansions have been noted in the Belmont Cragin and North Lawndale areas, and future plans are underway for neighborhoods like Brighton Park and McKinley Park. This community-driven approach is integral to the plan, ensuring that the development of cycling infrastructure is tailored to each neighborhood’s needs.

Long-Term Benefits for Environmental and Public Health Objectives

Such investments are not only consistent with the city of Chicago’s public health objectives; they also represent significant long-term benefits. Adequate cycling infrastructure can reduce car usage and greenhouse gas emissions while helping mitigate air pollution issues.

Bicycling as a mode of transportation also provides exercise benefits to combat obesity and heart disease brought on by sedentary lifestyles. Through changes to the infrastructure, Chicago hopes to transform itself into a more healthy urban environment.

Ultimately, the Chicago Cycling Strategy represents a major initiative by the city to enhance its bicycle infrastructure by expanding a bike network that appeals to more residents across ages and skill levels. 

Through community participation and targeted investments, this plan hopes to make biking an efficient yet comfortable means of transport for more residents of Chicago, meeting some major objectives related to public health and environmental preservation goals.

Get Involved in Shaping Chicago’s Cycling Future

Chicago will need the help of its constituents if it wants its biking plans to succeed. Different opinions will be considered, but the community itself will play a crucial role in determining cycling infrastructure progress. 

We suggest checking out the more in-depth reports about the city’s plans and getting involved in a local bicycling advocacy organization or city planning meeting.

Your voice and involvement can help build a safer, more cycling-friendly Chicago for everyone.

Additionally, if you or someone you know has been injured in a bike accident, contact Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers for professional assistance and legal support. 

We also serve clients from Chicago, Evanston, Naperville, Schaumburg  and throughout Illinois.

Resources: [1] People for Bikes