Six inches of snow fell on Chicago yesterday afternoon and evening. As I mentioned in my previous post, I had no intention of cycling in that mess. My plan was to take the L train, but a co-worker mentioned that she and a friend carpool along a route that passes by my L stop. She offered to pick me up anytime and I gladly accepted the offer. The car is already on the road anyway.
In the morning, I walked a block to the L station and a couple of minutes later she pulled up. I sank into the heated passenge...
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Yesterday I was in the Pilsen neighborhood on Chicago's southside for the Women-Who-Bike brunch. I decided to take the Lakefront Path for the 10 mile ride home, which I could reach by taking the new protected bike lane on S. 18th Street from Canal to Clark Streets, connecting the Pilsen and Chinatown areas. This protected bike lane is one of three in Chicago and exists in part thanks to Alderman Solis (read more about his Ward's projects and his recent trip to the Netherlands here).
Here is a quick video I mad...
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This is a post where I get to use our "a-holes" tag.
Yesterday morning, during the portion of my commute where I have to use a busy road, I approached an intersection (Wells & Division) with the green light and I kept a sharp eye on opposite traffic to make sure no one turned left in my path. That is a common occurrence because drivers either don't pay attention or think they are fast enough to dart through, so I'm always looking out for it.
I entered the intersection and the opposite driver, who had a clear ...
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Trisha and I have started a cycling-themed podcast series! We'll talk to creators of sites and bicycles we like, other bloggers, each other and more.
I encourage you to subscribe to the LGRAB Podcasts for free via iTunes to stay up-to-date on all future podcasts. Simply click on the link, then "view in iTunes" and "Subscribe."
Our first podcast is an interview with John Greenfield and Steven Vance, co-creators and writers of Chicago-based sustainable transportation blog Grid Chicago. Both have past insid...
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The past two days, I have worn skirt and blouse outfits similar to what I wore in my last post, with a helmet, and drivers were pretty nice, but not as totally nice as before. Again, maybe it's in my head, but it's interesting to ponder.
For anyone who is "meh" about the Mary Poppins Effect talk because they don't experience it - Mr. Dottie is right there with you and he's perfectly content to ride a faster bike in construction-site work clothes, thankyouverymuch.
In an unrelated observation, the sk...
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I left work yesterday evening, unlocked my bike and prepared to set off when I realized that I forgot my helmet in my office. It was one of those days when the idea of locking my bike again, removing my bag, going upstairs and unlocking my office was unbearable, so I decided to continue on helmetless. If I had a busy route, I would have retrieved my helmet, but my route is a series of calm side-streets.
This was one of my first times riding Betty Foy without a helmet. I have done it more often riding Oma,...
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Picking up on Trisha's post yesterday about craziness and courtesy on the road, I have a little courtesy to share from this evening's commute.
On my way home, an SUV driver stopped for three older gentlemen at a crosswalk. This is so rare in Chicago, that could be the whole story, but there's more. I was biking from the other direction and also stopped. Two of the gentlemen shuffled by and the third saw me waiting and gave a polite bow while motioning for me to go ahead of him. I thanked him with a smile and s...
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Mayor Emanuel and I have something in common: we both took the Brown Line to work yesterday. I took it because threatening thunderstorms kept me off my bike and the Mayor took it to demonstrate how great Chicago's public transportation system is.
"Got on the train and got to work in 30 minutes, short order. That is a competitive advantage for the city," he said.
Next he should ride his bike to work. Would that be something? I think so! His people should call my people and we can work it out. (News st...
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The weather is warm and sunny, the flowers are blossoming, and the traffic is calm on my quiet side street route. Riding my bike is so much nicer than squeezing onto the L train or being trapped in a car.
Even if the rest of my day is not so great, at least I know that I will enjoy my commute to and from work. (Even if I cut my head off with my self-timed photos 
) That's why I ride my bike. Most assume it's an environmental or health statement, but those factors are secondary to having a happy co...
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While I wait for Chicago to be covered in gloriously safe bike infrastructure, I have to work with what I've got. As some mentioned in the comments to yesterday's post, small side streets can provide a calm and safe way to travel through the city - no special bike infrastructure needed. Using such routes to get from one place to another may require practice, familiarity and extra time, but it can be well worth the trouble for those who value peacefulness above efficiency.
Over the past two years, when it no long...
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