Chicago reaches 100 miles of protected bike lanes
(Chicago Bicycle Program)
CHICAGO (AP) — The city of Chicago says it has now installed 100 miles of protected bike lanes.
Some cycling advocates, though, are quibbling with the city's definition of "protected."
Bike lanes set apart from traffic by physical barriers like plastic posts or parked cars make up only about 20 miles of the total. The rest is made up of buffered bike lanes that have extra space to keep motorists and cyclists separated.
City officials say both lane types offer protection.
And Transportation Commissioner Rebekah Scheinfeld said Friday that they've led to a reduction in crashes for all modes of transportation in those areas.
The city says its next target is to build 50 miles of what it calls "low-stress" bikeways that people of any age or riding ability can feel safe using.