I wanted to share an update, at least not from Chicago Like a Local but just to share some of the pics I took recently. These were taken this month perhaps not long after seeing that video you saw on this blog most recently.
Who knew that there is a bike rack in front of Harlan High School at 96th/Michigan. And anyone who is done with the scooter actually locked it to the rack. There aren't too many bicyclists up and down Michigan Avenue unlike some of the more pedestrian heavy corridors of the north side or even the Loop. So I'm thinking locking scooters on these racks in front of Harlan would be no big deal.
In front of Harlan High School
Now these other shots are basically no-nos as far as what to do when you're done with these Lime Scooters. As discussed in the Chicago Like a Local video.
Bus stop SW corner 95th/Michigan
According the Chicago Like a Local, the scooters shouldn't be left at a bus stop. I'd prefer this than for them to be left on a sidewalk somewhere. However, I can get that this might be a problem if we're talking about a heavily used bus stop and as a number of CTA bus routes stop here every day this could be a problem here.
On Michigan outside of Abbott Park
One thing Chicago Like a Local specifically states, scooters shouldn't be laid down like this. It needs to be standing up. In this case though it's not necessarily in the way of a pedestrian on a sidewalk. The next photo shows a scooter left laying on a sidewalk.
NW corner 95th/Wabash
In this case though only the handles are on the sidewalk. Regardless I find this a bit careless, though I will allow an able-bodied person could simply go around it. And still these scooters shouldn't just be left somewhere once a user is done with them.
In fact across the street in front of Abbott Park is a Divvy Bike dock. I recognize these Lime scooters aren't compatible with those docks, but that's another good place to leave a scooter once you arrive or are near your intended destination.
Anyone have any thoughts about these scooters? Do you find these scooters a problem when you're on the sidewalks?
Before sharing this video, I had been for the past month or so documenting scooters that have been left on my street overtime. And in my opinion these scooters were left on the sidewalk on my street as an afterthought. Many of these scooters are in the way and are obstacles.
My solution is that these scooters need to be left in designated areas. Such as a bus stop, however, I understand that with these Lime scooters that's not allowed. So what do we do?
Also these scooters are supposed to be locked on bike racks, however, this might be inconvenient to bikers. That's not a "perfect" solution either.
Downtown I witnessed scooters being docked, just like these Divvy Bikes. And there are some of them in the community. Why can't these be placed at these docks?
Thankfully if you're tired of these scooters being left around the community and being in the way of pedestrians, one solution is to call 311.
You can always visit the 311 site here or with your smartphone you can use the 311 app. And using the website and app you can send the city pictures of these scooters that you want removed.
Now with this knowledge this is something I'm taking advantage of to clear the sidewalks of these scooters. Allow me to share the video from Chicago Like a Local on YouTube. [VIDEO]
Allow me to open the floor to you all. If you walk on the sidewalk are you annoyed with these scooters being left on the sidewalks? What would you like to see done about it? Would you prefer that these scooters are left in designated areas.
[VIDEO] Just found this video this morning and discusses some thing I knew was going to happen.
For example we know that bus service through the affected areas of the Red Line extention will change. Bus routings will either be combined, extended or even eliminated. So the proposed routings we see here such as extending buses into Indiana aren't very likely.
I would like to see more utilization of Metra Electric service especially within those areas that won't be directly served by CTA extension. Especially in the South Chicago/South Shore area and certainly going into West Pullman and Blue Island - further west.
And transit oriented development. I don't know about developing high density projects. High rises for example or even developing say a new neighborhood. Roseland and Altgeld Gardens aren't very desirable areas anyway.
I would say the lot at 115th/Michigan - where a stop will be located would be a great possibility for a multi-use development. I'm thinking certainly housing and retail - perhaps another grocery store and certainly businesses with the commuter in mind. So I think in that area that's a possibility of developing something that might work for the area.
Also I'd be curious how the YouTuber - BurjTransit - gets these numbers 38,000 riders are expected to use this extension once it's online. However, it's more likely that 6,000 rides would utilize the services. I'm sure the 38K comes from CTA's projection itself.
However, let's note as he had that the Red Line ridership hasn't been great post-pandemic. CTA as a whole has issues as far as rail service and certainly if you've had to take a bus anywhere in recent years.
What are your thoughts on the CTA extension? What do you think it would bring to this part of Chicago's south side?
As of now the CTA terminal at 95th endures. It has undergone some changes over the years, a reconstruction in 2003-04, the shutdown & reconstruction of the Red Line south in 2013, and of course the expected overhaul expected to be completed in 2018. The ig post below from the CTA's ig profile shows a scene not too unfamiliar to today's transit riders who begin or compete their commutes at 95th street.
In addition to change start times at 82 city schools, CPS also plans to consolidate school bus stops:
In the past, CPS buses have picked up magnet and selective-enrollment students at 450 stops — stops located at their neighborhood schools — across the city. But this fall, CPS plans to consolidate the number of bus stops to 180.
According to a statement, "the plan to shift bus arrival times resulted from an analysis that revealed that CPS’ transportation costs far outpace those at other large, urban districts."
At an LSC meeting at Andrew Jackson Language Academy last week, Martin Ellinger, CPS manager of student transportation routing, said the district is working to ensure the security of students and to make sure no children have to cross gang lines or other unsafe areas.
The eliminated bus routes will force some kids to walk up to 1.5 miles to their nearest stop, the district said.
Click on the link to DNA Info's article for the list of schools and see if your neighborhood school's start time is expected to change. We also hope that if your child takes a bus to school no major changes as far as where they should catch their bus.
