While riding on Green Street between Neil and Wright streets, cyclists face constant obstacles that prevent the road from becoming the safe and convenient bicycle corridor it should be.
Unprotected bicycle lanes, a lack of dedicated cycle space at intersections and cars parked frequently in the bike lane force cyclists to be hyperaware at all times, swerve in and out of traffic and be in constant conflict with oncoming and passing vehicles.
These are factors that contribute to a lack of perceived and actual safety along the street. Green Street is hectic for a cyclist and the high amount of vehicle traffic makes the corridor volatile for those to navigate. It’s a road that possibly only the most confident riders may feel comfortable traveling on.
The City of Champaign should work to mitigate these safety risks and promote cycling along the stretch, thus making a major campus cycling route safer and more pleasant to ride on.
One of the first challenges a cyclist may encounter is private vehicles parked in the bike lanes. On a ride down Green Street, a rider may be forced to maneuver around parked cars multiple times in just one direction. Parked cars force riders to swerve into vehi...