The Ride

On Wednesday, the Chicago Department of Transportation gave details of a $67 million project to upgrade the Grand and State subway station. See story here: http://www.suntimes.com/news/transportation/862231,station032608.article

Certainly the Grand and State station is dingy and dimly lit. But do other stations need the rehab more?

Keep in mind that the City Department of Transportation is doing this fix -- not the CTA. The city is using mostly federal money. The city chose this station because it's a busy stop that gets a lot of people visiting the city.

Here's a rendering of what the Grand and State platform would like like after the rehab:

Floyd Long in the Sun-Times story commented that other stations, particularly on the Green Line, could use the money more. What do Ride readers think? Can you think of some grungy stations in need of a serious makeover?

Posted by Mary Wisniewski at 10:25 AM | Permalink | Comments (28) | TrackBacks (0)

It's better than Christmas -- it's Bike Day, the first day after the long, icy, gray, sunless, depressing Chicago winter that it's warm enough to bike to work again. Bike Day varies -- depending on how brave you're feeling. It is March, after all -- you never know what the weather's going to do. It could be 50 and sunny when you leave in the morning and 25 and snowing on the way home.

My first bike day this year was March 13.

You really remember why you live in the city when you're on a bike. You're not behind glass -- in a car or on the train. You're out in the weather, smelling fresh bread, sausages and bus exhaust, feeling the wind, looking at the stores and the people in their infinite variety. You feel like you're 11 years old again, and get to work feeling upbeat, for at least 30 minutes...

The downside is the constant fear of getting struck from behind, or running into someone's car door. But at least it keeps you awake, and it's cheaper than a gym. Biking is a great way for the cheap to stay fit -- there's no gym fee AND you don't have to pay for the train.

Today could have been a bike day -- it was warm enough. But I lacked the physical courage to cope with the 35 mph wind gusts.

I'd be interested to hear from biking readers -- have you been out on the bike yet this spring? When was your first bike day this year? And for those who would rather bike without car traffic, registration is now open for the May 25 Bank of America "Bike the Drive" event. To register, go to https://www.signmeup.com/site/reg/register.aspx?fid=GQ2VDK7

Posted by Mary Wisniewski at 02:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

A lot of people responded to my post on whether or not you should speak up on the L. Due to a glitch, the comments didn't get posted. They're on there now -- if you want to check them out. Look under "Move that bag! -- Speaking up on the L"

And thanks for writing -- let me know if you've tried scolding anyone on the L for eating, loud radio playing, or just being a knucklehead.

Posted by Mary Wisniewski at 05:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)