The city has installed plastic posts along part of the northbound Elston Avenue bike lane near Goose Island in an effort to prevent drivers from using the lane to bypass traffic, according to a May 28 report. The measure comes after complaints about drivers entering the wide, partially protected bike lane during rush hour backups caused by ongoing construction projects nearby.
Earlier this month, Block Club Chicago reported on significant traffic congestion at Division Street and Elston Avenue due in part to closures of the Halsted Street viaduct and Chicago Avenue bridge for rehabilitation work. Residents raised concerns that some motorists were driving around concrete curbs into the bike lane to avoid delays and turn onto Division Street. In one observed instance in late April, five cars entered the bike lane within a 30-minute period, with one vehicle closely following a cyclist until reaching Division Street.
Jim Shearer, manager at Essanay Studio and Lighting on Goose Island who commutes via Elston Avenue, said he witnessed these incidents most mornings. He previously suggested installing physical barriers or stationing police officers at the intersection to discourage illegal use of the bike lane. While it is unclear if law enforcement has been deployed in response, Shearer noticed last week that dozens of flexible plastic posts now block access through parking spaces between concrete curbs along part of the route.
The Chicago Department of Transportation did not provide details regarding when exactly the posts were installed or whether additional safety measures are planned for nearby intersections. However, department officials stated they intend to make “targeted refinements where possible” at and near Division and Elston.
Kyle Lucas, executive director of Better Streets Chicago—a group advocating for improved transit infrastructure—had previously proposed extending concrete curb protections along the entire length of the bike lane up to the Division/Elston intersection for greater safety. Lucas said Wednesday that while a more permanent solution would be ideal, he welcomed quick action by city officials: “Obviously we would love to see a more permanent solution and designs that more proactively prepare for this sort of situation, but it is good to see CDOT has responded quickly, and this will likely prevent most of the bad behavior.”
Shearer described installation of plastic posts as “a step in the right direction,” but recommended narrowing entry points further so only cyclists can access them safely: “It’s probably five-ish feet wide now, and if they made it three feet wide…it would definitely keep cars out.” Meanwhile, area cyclists and pedestrians received another update when city officials announced continued summer access for foot traffic on Cortland Street bridge during its restoration project.
