Police Crack Down on Bicyclists
Heads Up!
A crackdown near downtown Chicago on bicyclists running red lights and disobeying other traffic laws led to dozens of warnings and at least one ticket Tuesday morning.
But the combination enforcement-and-education operation, conducted at the busy and chaotic intersection of Milwaukee Avenue and Desplaines and Kinzie streets, may not have convinced all the violators to change their unsafe ways.
Tags:
I have ridden by the spot Rhea describes but do not remember it. There is always a challanege when vehicles need to turn right and there is a bike lane. The bikes and cars have to deal with one another as vehicles will be turning right and we need to be aware that they are coming from our left. I feel we have the right of way but both have to be acutely aware in these situations. I say ride and act like you belong but not like you are the only thing on the road. That usually makes the situation go best. We need to be aware tht the protected lane is not an oasis. We are still riding in the real world and , er, sh. you know, stuff happens.
As for the crackdown...Its a sign of Summer. The weather wasn't enough of a sign? Its also a sign that bikes are truly part of the fabric of traffic in the city. We have to deal with them and they have to deal with us. This is a good thing.
As always with Tribune articles, don't read the comments.
Thank god we don't live in NYC.
http://mobile.gothamist.com/2011/05/25/cyclist_class_action_lawsuit...
It's like death and taxes-- I don't think you can avoid this.
The funniest one was when Payton and crew were out giving away blinkie lights in Wicker Park and someone posted the "crackdown" alert.
Brendan Kevenides said:
I rode through there this morning. I didn't perceive it as a "crackdown," though I know that's what the Tribune chose to call it. I saw CPD and CDOT getting out a strong Share the Road message (complete with large banner than said just that) to both motorists and bicyclists. I didn't see cyclists being singled out at all. I really wish that language hadn't been chosen; as if bicycling is something that needs to be cracked down upon.
From the comments:
"I've got a lot of video footage taken while in traffic of these a-holes and what they do. If you see potential trouble or trouble, video it.
Bike riders should have walled-in lanes where they cannot get out and speed through cars standing at red lights. It should be mandatory that they ride in those lanes ONLY. It would be better to just ban them altogether.
As far as the bicyclist lanes in the city goes, bike riders don't use them, they are usually riding directly in front of where your steering wheel is. And going as slow as they can.
I've seen many bicyclists go from one side of the street to the other, back to the other within seconds, they fly through red lights, not always directly across the intersection, but at right-hand turns, directly in front of speeding city garbage trucks.
Mayor Rahm, believe us, these bicyclists are out of control and our city government helps pour it on. Bicyclists are getting a MAJOR free ride - no city stickers (taxes/revenue); no insurance. No mandatory safety gear.
Hit them in the pocketbook and they should comply."
As always with Tribune articles, don't read the comments.
those comments are the best. I feel that the majority of them are also the ones who gripe about big government. Make up your minds do you want more regualtions or smaller govt?
I saw them at the light as I stopped at the red. They thanked me for wearing a helmet and stopping. I told them I was on mile 17 of my commute and didn't have the energy to run the light if I wanted to. :-)
I was secretly wishing they were out offering some water to cyclists on the 98 degree day - I was fried and had run outta water!
262 members
203 members
269 members
63 members
172 members