Bus/Bike Lanes Find Support in Chicago

"Buses went so much faster during a bus/bike lane experiment on Halsted Street last winter that the CTA wants to try it again in other places," reports Mary Wisniewski.

The CTA is considering bus/bike lanes as a potential solution for its struggling ridership figures, with the thinking that improved service could win back riders.

"During a three-month pilot, the CTA found that buses went up to 65 percent faster than general traffic during rush hour, saving up to 2.3 minutes," according to Wisniewski. "Riders, bus operators and cyclists all liked the change, according to surveys conducted by the CTA, Chicago Department of Transportation and the Active Transportation Alliance, an advocacy group for pedestrians, cyclists and transit users."

City agencies are working to identify additional thoroughfares to potential receive the bus/bike lane treatment, so it could be a little while before the concept expands around the city.