Jun
3
Biking Michigan Avenue
Filed Under Cycling
Ever tried to bike along Michigan Avenue downtown?
Well I have. And you don’t stand much of a chance.
In the right-hand lane, there are buses traveling at a snail’s pace constantly belching their foul smoke all over you. You also have to be vigilant about taxis crossing in front of you to pick up a fare. At this rate it takes you 10 minutes to bike one city block.
Then there’s the second-to-right lane. Yes, you can avoid having buses and taxis hold you up if you choose this lane, but it’s skin against steel and the impatience of the other drivers will have you longing for the safety of the sidewalk.
But it’s only a vain thought, because one glance at the sidewalk shows that it’s nearly at a complete impasse, even for walkers. Trying to navigate a pointy bicycle through that crowd is just asking for a headache and bruised shins.