Area gets new Divvy bike spot
by BRIAN NADIG
A new Divvy bike-sharing station recently was installed at Milwaukee and Cuyler avenues in the Six Corners shopping district.
A Divvy station also was installed at Montrose and Knox avenues near the CTA Montrose Blue Line station. Both of the stations are in the 45th Ward, where a station was installed last year near Keeler Avenue and Irving Park Road.
The stations usually are placed about two blocks apart from each other, and it is expected that many more will be installed on the Northwest Side during the next few years. The blue bicycles are intended for rides of 30 minutes or less, allowing commuters to get off a bus or a train and bicycle for a portion of their trip.
Alderman John Arena’s chief of staff Owen Brugh said that a Divvy station will be installed this year near the Grayland Metra station, 3805 N. Kilbourn Ave., and that a station also is planned for a site near Schurz High School, 3601 N. Milwaukee Ave., but it an installation date has not been set.
Brugh said that the Jefferson Park CTA terminal, 4917 N. Milwaukee Ave., is a prime location for a Divvy station because the terminal and the adjoining Metra station form the second busiest transportation hub outside the Loop. He said that another good location would be at Lawrence and Austin avenues because of the bike lanes on Lawrence.
It is hoped that eventually there will be stations in Edgebrook, from which Divvy users can travel to Divvy stations in Evanston or connect to the North Branch Trail, which is being extended through Edgebrook, Indian Woods, Forest Glen and North Mayfair, Brugh said.
