Check out a discussion of the Best and Worst of the L (see Monday story ) on WLUW, 88.7 at 6 p.m. Friday. If you miss it, you can find it in the archives at the Outside the Loop Radio site.
I'm a frequent bike commuter. I think it's great exercise and a great way to clear your head before and after a busy day. I'm frequently irritated by car drivers who think bikes have no right to the road. However, I'm also irritated by bicyclists who think the rules of the road don't apply to them...
Ever wonder why there isn't an easier way to get to a city 300 miles away without going through airport security? Train fans, especially those who have seen the efficient train service in Europe, have been wondering for years. Here's a link to an essay on the subject. Go to the April 21 entry under the "Cluster---- Nation" articles. Here's an excerpt:
Everyone has a bad transit story -- the belligerent bus driver, the train that got stuck for an hour, the delay at the airport.
But how about a few nice transit stories? Did anyone out there ever get a smile from a bus driver that made a bad night better? Or did a CTA motorman hold the train for you as you came galloping down the stairs, and keep holding it after you accidentally dropped your keys on the platform?
If anyone was on the Blue Line today when the trains had to stop in the tunnel, please share your story. The CTA is saying the initial delay was caused by a mechanical failure on a train just north of Clark and Lake, but that the major delay was caused because some people in a train north of the disabled train decided to get off the train on their own, which forced the CTA to turn off power to protect them. If you were there, we'd love to hear from you.
Several years ago, I got to visit Amsterdam, where the bike is king. Bike commuting is normal there — you see people in business suits riding bikes while talking on cell phones. There's barely room on some streets for cars, which have to drive slowly and wait their turn.
The Chicago area is not nearly as bike friendly as Holland. But bike commuters here say more people would do it if they just tried it a couple of times...
Mary Wisniewski is the transportation reporter for the Chicago Sun-Times. She has been a reporter in Chicago for 20 years, and a CTA rider for even longer. Call her at (312) 321-2892 or e-mail her.
