Hot Potato

Funny how those snow services always seem to make sure that the snow isn't piled up in front of the businesses door. So they are thinking about where to pile up the snow, they just aren't thinking or caring about anyone who isn't in a car.

I clear the sidewalk in front of my home as well. Mostly because I don't want the kids to have to use the street because the sidewalks are impassable. However, I don't know if it makes the sidewalk less slippery and prevents falls, residual snow and ice still make the sidewalks trecherous. But not for studded tires.

ItsJustMe

Bikes don't really enter into it. They're not allowed to pile snow on the sidewalks according to what you cite, because people are supposed to be able to actually use the sidewalks. For WALKING.

ItsJustMe

I have a friend who makes a living all winter removing snow. He uses his truck-mounted plow, then when done, he parks and goes and clears the walkways where he's left piles behind with a shovel.

That's what should be done, and what should be required. If you hire a snow-removal guy, you pay him to keep the sidewalks clear too, or you go out with a shovel and clear them yourself if you don't want to pay the extra.

lil brown bat

Don't you roll your little eyes at me. The presence of pedestrians is a valid reason not to ride on a sidewalk; the frequent presence of pedestrians is a valid reason to consider it not a good general practice.

lil brown bat

Sounds like it's time to learn to ride in the road -- maybe via another route, but you can't count on the sidewalks being clear.

Hot Potato

Ah, that explains all those "no hopping, skipping or jumping" signs lately.

AndrewP

When I lived in Toronto in the 70s, it used to drive me nuts that the city would plough the residential streets within 24 hrs of a snowstorm then the resident would move the snow from their driveways right across the street. The easiest riding was then along the main arterial roads.

First check with the town for the bylaw number that forbids dumping snow on the sidewalk, then send Email to the businesses concerned, quoting the bylaw. Finally, if not cleared by the following day, Email the town demanding enforcement of the bylaw.

SweetLou

I've been looking for the law in Cleveland. Though I only ride on the roads, I walk my dog on the sidewalks. Where I like to walk my dog, there are three car dealerships. I think all by the same company. They plow all the snow on their lots to the sidewalk, causeing a seven foot high pile of snow. This pisses me off. Being a car dealership, they are on a busy road, one where I would be uncomfortable taking my dog into the road for the distance I would need to be there.

The bad part is, that one is across from my street, one to the left and one to the right. There is no way to get around them.

ews

Where exactly in Chicago do you need to ride on the sidewalk?

Roody

There's two things that I can't figure out about this whole issue:

1. How it can seem "easier" to ride on a snow rutted sidewalk, compared to riding on a street that has been scraped, salted and sanded to within a millimeter of bare asphalt.
2. How it is that a business can pay to repeatedly clear snow from a three acre parking lot, and then apparently ruun out of funds when it's time to clear a few linear feet of sidewalk.

Hot Potato

"Need" being defined as not letting them pass closely at 50+ mph on snowy streets, in the far western suburbs.

"Easier" being defined as not being worried about being run over on a high volume, high speed, congested arterial road with no shoulder, but certainly not the amount of effort it takes to propel the bike forward. But I must point out that the sidewalk in front of my house is smoother riding than the street. Still laughing about your second point though.

On the positive side of things, the impassable sidewalks have caused me to study satellite maps, and as long as nobody minds me cutting through a certain townhouse development's path for a few hundred feet, I have found a calmer route that doesn't make me want to be on the sidewalk. I just got back from a trial run, I will probably use this route during the summer too. I suppose I have all those homes and businesses to thank for this new discovery (as well as google maps).

no motor?

I'm in the near west Chicago 'burbs, and the seniors were all concerned about being required to clear your sidewalks after it snowed. They all wanted it done, but didn't want to do it themselves and nothing happened here. They don't make the developers clean the sidewalks of mud and dirt when they're putting up more condos either.

Bikeforumuser0013

In Chicago, there's an ordinance that property owners have to remove the snow from the sidewalk, specifying the deadline for its removal and how wide a path must be cleared.

However, my question to the original poster (OP) is to where do you think the snow could be removed?

Hot Potato

I saw those in-city requirements, and they were very specific, even if not enforced? I also know that I have not cleared my snow sometimes in the past when I was injured, so I understand those seniors. I actually clear the sidewalk of my neighbor, since I know the old lady pays for her driveway to be cleared, but the driveway plower won't do her sidewalk. Its the neighborly thing to do, and the extra 20 feet to get to her driveway is little effort and little time for my power propelled snowblower to take care of. Her neighbor on the other side does the same for her too.

Out here in the burbs, there is road, then some grass/landscaping, then some sidewalk, then more grass/landscaping, then the business parking lot. There is usually room on at least one side of the walk for the snow to pile up, if not on both sides. The parking lot plowers have actually made some of the largest piles directly where the sidewalk intersects the parking lot entrance, instead of to the sides of the walk. Think of it as if the city of Chicago decided to use crosswalks as the place to pile snow. There is usually other spots in the parking lot that the snow is piled up too, and the obstructing snow could have been place there as well as to the side of the sidewalk. The only reason to pile it where they did is because it might take a few more minutes, and they don't care. Trust me, if it were unavoidable, I would recognize it and understand.

But the problem is widespread, with 90% of homeowners and businesses either not clearing the sidewalk or actually obstructing it. I am not on a Jihad here. If I thought a few words with a few people could make a difference, I would do it. But two miles of homes and businesses aren't going to cater to my wishes. I found an alternate route that may be less convenient, but doesn't make me ride on streets I think are too crowded and fast. Life goes on. However, if you are a pedestrian on that road, you are screwed.