In a move to improve safety and manage traffic, the Department of Transportation and the 48th Ward have implemented new restrictions on electric scooters along Sheridan Road in Edgewater. This change affects users of popular e-scooter services like Lime and Divvy who will no longer be able to operate their scooters on this busy stretch of road.
The new geofence covers Sheridan Road from Devon to Bryn Mawr avenues, a mile-long section that connects Edgewater to DuSable Lake Shore Drive and the Lakefront Trail. This area is known for its high pedestrian activity and the presence of many vulnerable road users including cyclists and pedestrians.
Understanding the new geofencing measures
The geofencing technology used in this initiative slows down and eventually stops electric scooters when they enter the designated zone. This is an extension of existing geofencing measures that already prohibit e-scooter use on the Lakefront Trail. The city’s spokesperson explained that this particular geofence responds to the unique conditions along Sheridan Road, where there has been a sustained pattern of sidewalk riding.
Ald. Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth of the 48th Ward emphasized the importance of this measure for public safety. “Getting bikes off of Sheridan Road sidewalks has been a public safety priority for me and my team, because we know that everyone is safer when we organize our streets with clear spaces for pedestrians, vehicles, and cyclists,” she stated on social media. Her office is also coordinating with the city to include Divvy’s electric bikes in the geofencing along this stretch.
Encouraging alternative routes
To mitigate the impact of these restrictions, the city has made recent investments in the Kenmore Avenue and Winthrop Avenue greenways, which run parallel to Sheridan Road. These greenways provide low-stress alternatives for cyclists and e-scooter users, offering a safer route to and from the Lakefront Trail. The city has also installed bike wayfinding signage, including reminders of the $200 fine for riding on Sheridan Road sidewalks.
Other areas in the city that are geofenced to restrict e-scooter riding include the 606 Trail the Riverwalk and O’Hare Airport. These measures are part of a broader effort to enhance safety and manage traffic in high-activity areas.
The impact on e-scooter users
For e-scooter users, this change means adjusting their routes to avoid Sheridan Road. The city encourages riders to use the designated greenways and other alternative routes to reach their destinations safely. While this may require some adaptation, the goal is to create a safer environment for all road users.
The implementation of these geofencing measures reflects the city’s commitment to improving traffic management and public safety. By providing clear guidelines and alternative routes, the city aims to balance the convenience of e-scooters with the need to protect pedestrians and other vulnerable road users.
