Beta--I agree that going N or S a couple of blocks in that neighborhood is a bad idea. I would have thought that Lake St. would suck for bike riding because of the train tracks over head. (or, more to the point, the beams that hold them up. Major obstacle course) Diversey, or, how about North Ave? That's what I take in the car when I go to my sister's. No bike lane, but it is a wide street.

Yeah, there are cops and crossing guards, but you know how it would play out. Doesn't matter if some kids stake you out and run in front of you deliberately. If you run down one of the kids, you're another rich suburban so-and-so who rides with reckless abandon, endangering the lives of inner-city angels. etc. Pisses me off that they mess with you that way, but it is the reality.

I love the cell phone idea, "I'm taking your picture to show the police".