The rolling hills and picturesque countryside make Barrington Hills a prime destination for bicycling enthusiasts.

Much to the chagrin of some motorists, police say.

Each weekend, packs of several dozen bicyclists ride throughout town, sometimes as fast as 30 mph.

With the groups growing larger and more competitive, Barrington Hills police Sgt. David Kann said a struggle to claim their piece of the road is breaking out between cyclists and drivers.

"It's a problem," he said. "This is not you and your wife out for a bike ride."

Kann said clusters of cyclists are sometimes longer than an 18-wheel truck and can be intimidating to drivers.

With more and more residents complaining about bicyclists on the roads, Kann said police will make sure this summer the laws are being followed.

"We are going to start enforcing the regulations a lot more sternly (for the cyclists) than in the past," Kann said.

Dean Schott, director of outreach for the League of Illinois Bicyclists, said its imperative riders follow all rules of the road.

"Bicyclists have an obligation to observe laws, show respect and share the road," Schott agreed.

Some of the laws most frequently broken by bicyclists, Schott said, are not stopping for stop signs, not yielding to the right of way, and riding more than two people abreast.

Earlier this month, Kann said a bicyclist who failed to stop at a stop sign was hit by a car and hospitalized at North Buckley and Merri Oaks roads.

He also was cited for not stopping.

The fines, Kann said, are the same as they would be for drivers who don't stop at stop signs.

This week, a Carol Stream bicyclist was killed in Wheaton when he was hit by a car. Police said he was riding against traffic, which is against the law.

The Barrington Bicycle Club, Schaumburg Bicycle Club and Velo Club Roubaix all ride in the Barrington area regularly.

Velo Club Roubaix President Rob Hugi, of Glencoe, said he appreciates the effort police are making to keep the roads safe.

"In our experience, the police take a balanced approach and recognize that cyclists have a right to use the roads, as long we obey the traffic laws," he said. "Our occasional interactions with the police have been friendly and constructive."

Schaumburg Bicycle Club's Joan Willmeth leads a ride through Barrington Hills each week during the summer. She said her group can get as large as 15 riders.

She has no problem with police writing tickets as long as their primary objective is not to rid the village of bikers.

"There should be consequences (for breaking laws), but I don't think they should be doing this if they want us to stop riding there," Willmeth said.

By stepping up enforcement, Kann said, police are not trying to dissuade riding in the village.

"We just want them to follow the rules of the road," he said.

Hugi said riders in his club aim to follow all rules of the road, but admitted they are not perfect. But neither are drivers, he added.

"If we have any complaint, it is that a few drivers seem to think the rules of the road say that cars are always right," he said. "We sometimes catch a little more road rage from drivers than we think we deserve."

Willmeth said she, too, has come in contact with angry drivers.

"Sometimes they don't want you on the road, so they try and scare us," Willmeth said of cars driving too close for comfort.

Neither Hugi or Willmeth said the increased enforcement would discourage them from riding in Barrington Hills.

"There are lots of hills and the roads are nice," Willmeth said. "It is a nice place to ride."

Tips for sharing the road
The League of Illinois Bicyclists has a list of common violations by both riders and drivers.

Bicyclists violations

• Not stopping for red lights and stop signs

• Riding on the wrong side of the road

• They should ride single file, unless riding two abreast does not impede traffic flow

• Not using hand signals

• Not having headlights and rear reflectors when riding at night

• Truck riding, weaving on the road and hitching a ride on a moving vehicle.

• wearing ear phones while cycling.

Motorist violations

• Not passing a bicyclist safely by giving them three feet of space or by passing and then turning right into their path

• Not yielding when making a left turn in front of a bicyclist.

• Opening the door into the path of a bicyclist.

• Not scanning for bicyclists at crosswalks and not stopping at the line.

• Parking in bike lanes.

• Speeding.

http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=207853&src=13

Well ... it's about time. Just look at this picture taken from the article sited -

http://i.dailyherald.com/stories/74/74489.jpg

Look at 'em ... darn scofflaws are all over the road. Write 'em all a ticket !!!!

:roflmao2:

Nice tight paceline they have going there.


Looks like we'll be sloughing off a bit of average speed on Tuesday nights.

thats no joke there was a cop hiding at the intersection of donlea and old sutton, backed in there waitin for me to blow off that stupid stop sign.

thats no joke there was a cop hiding at the intersection of donlea and old sutton, backed in there waitin for me to blow off that stupid stop sign.

Whoa. Good to know. That's on the section we're usually cooking near the end of the ride.

Did you get ticketed/fined?

Looks like we'll be slowing down a bit at Braeburn, Plumtree, Ridge, Spring Creek, Donlea, and Otis tomorrow night. At least I will be.

it's actually pretty funny to read the comments on that daily herald article. i never realized how many people don't like us (cyclists).

and yes, they can write tickets.

I have long known how many people hate us, but this isn't new. Someday they may realize that they can kill us. We can't kill them.

....all in the name of getting to McDonalds faster.

How much do they complain about horses or tractors? God forbid if there was an Amish community near there. I guess there is just no acceptance of slow moving vehicles in our roadways anymore.

I will not be at the ride this week due to daddy duty, but maybe that'll be a blessing this week. Something tells me all the crazys will come out of the woodwork.

it's actually pretty funny to read the comments on that daily herald article. i never realized how many people don't like us (cyclists).

and yes, they can write tickets.

Tickets are a source of revenue and will be utilized in this increasingly bad economy. I personally don't like writing tickets and in Chicago we have so much more to do. Barrington Hills on the other hand is dependent on taxes to run the Fire/Police departments. I believe that feelings about cyclists are not an issue at all. Just my opinion.

Tickets are a source of revenue and will be utilized in this increasingly bad economy. I personally don't like writing tickets and in Chicago we have so much more to do. Barrington Hills on the other hand is dependent on taxes to run the Fire/Police departments. I believe that feelings about cyclists are not an issue at all. Just my opinion.

This makes sense, though I get the feeling that B-Hills isn't worried about tax revenues, if the beautiful houses on the hundred plus acre farms are any indication. ;) I think it really is a safety issue. Lots of blind driveways, tree cover, hills, curves, etc.

The lesson for those of us who ride there on a regular basis is that we need to be good stewards of following the laws, as well as not knowingly antagonizing the drivers in the area.

The more considerate we ride, the more we positively acknowledge cars that give us a break, etc., the better off things will be. There will always be morons who think the road is only for cars, but if our riding in a decent manner wins over a few cars at a time, then that's all the better.

I just want to get back to the pub safely. There is beer there.

Tickets are not the source of revenue that the average person thinks. On a $75 fine, the issuing city gets less than 1/3rd (overweight trucks are where the real $$$ is at, trust me, I know). Believe it or not, sometimes we really do care about people's safety. Ignoring the violations caused by an increasing populace is unfair to the others. If car drivers can get cited, so should unsafe cyclists. when complaints come in, enforcement goes up, simple as that.

In the words of Forrest Gump " and thats all I have to say about that".

The general road safety and obeying stop signs and such is a no brainer. In a group ride setting you can tend to let that stuff get away from you. When I went off the back a few weeks back I was chasing like mad to get back on.

I came around a corner - checking for traffic from the correct direction - and was clear....but I did blow the sign. There was an officer at the intersection....not sitting around looking for violators, but honestly just at the intersection on his way through.

He had his window down and called me on it. I felt like a fool. I won't make silly arguements about whether or not I was safe, etc....I think you all know I do tend to ride fairly defensively due to personal experience....in this situation I was just plain wrong.

He didn't do anything else other than call my attention to the violation and informed me to stop at stop signs. I spent the rest of the ride doing just that. No complaints from me.

I tend to side with Kimber on this one. It's not about the violations it's about enforcement.

The issue I have is with the hate loving motorists that decided to spew their hate in the comments on the original article. Especially the ones that blantantly advocate killing us because we are on bicycles.

The lesson for those of us who ride there on a regular basis is that we need to be good stewards of following the laws, as well as not knowingly antagonizing the drivers in the area.

The more considerate we ride, the more we positively acknowledge cars that give us a break, etc., the better off things will be. There will always be morons who think the road is only for cars, but if our riding in a decent manner wins over a few cars at a time, then that's all the better.

I just want to get back to the pub safely. There is beer there.

+1

Of course, it should apply to all areas, not just that one. ;)

+1000 on the pub . . . ummmmm beer! :beer:

Just so you know, i did contribute to the article, hehe, if any of you are offended, please let me know.

I just got a bit on the pissed off side when i read the "so righteous" motorists on that article and how they just don't like us.

Meh, the outlander08 guy is funny, big truck, fat belly, can't get too quick to his mcdonalds, so he rages on the world in this article...how dummy is that...

How dare they do this! Those streets are ours! :mad::twitchy:

:roflmao2:

I came around a corner - checking for traffic from the correct direction - and was clear....but I did blow the sign.

Stop signs are a great source of interval training :D

At least the fine upstanding citizens that participate in Critical Mass follow the law.

Kenal0

Tickets are not the source of revenue that the average person thinks. On a $75 fine, the issuing city gets less than 1/3rd (overweight trucks are where the real $$$ is at, trust me, I know). Believe it or not, sometimes we really do care about people's safety. Ignoring the violations caused by an increasing populace is unfair to the others. If car drivers can get cited, so should unsafe cyclists. when complaints come in, enforcement goes up, simple as that.

In the words of Forrest Gump " and thats all I have to say about that".

"On a $75 fine, the issuing city gets less than 1/3rd..." When I mail the city the $75, who gets the rest? - TF

The comments at the end of the article are pretty scary. :eek:

I've often wondered why I lose my status as a human being when I get on my bike.

I hope the police are going to be on the lookout for the SUV lynch mob that is going to make sure they uphold the law.

T. . . .

The issue I have is with the hate loving motorists that decided to spew their hate in the comments on the original article. Especially the ones that blantantly advocate killing us because we are on bicycles.

Newspaper online comment sections do not tend to attract the best and brightest.

[quote=cyclpsycho;6892580]The comments at the end of the article are pretty scary. :eek:

I've often wondered why I lose my status as a human being when I get on my bike.

would this be Doctor Jekyll or Mr. Hyde?

When I mail the city the $75, who gets the rest? - TF

You shouldn't be mailing any CITY the $75. It should be addressed to the circuit court of the county the citation was written in. If you're mailing the fine directly to a city, then you have been issued something other than a "normal" ticket. These are usually called "P" tickets or something of the sort. In that case, depending on how the city organizes and manages the system, then their portion of the fine could be up to 100% not counting expenses. I know of very few cities in the area that utilize "P" tickets for moving violations, its usually used for cerain violations other than moving violations, (ordinance violations, equipment etc.). Can't say what happens in other states (wasnt looking at your location when I started typing).

Normally the citation is mailed to the county circuit court clerk. Last time I looked, we (city) got $13 or $17 depending on whether the person requested court supervision or not. That could have changed but since the fine amounts havent changed in 20 years or so, I guess the cities portion probably hasnt either. The county takes the lions share of the fine in various administrative fees, costs etc.

On overweight trucks, a few thousand pounds overweight, can be hundreds of dollars or more. My personal best is a guy who had to pay over a $6000 bond (fine) on the spot due to being in excess of 30,000 pounds overweight. This of course AFTER he tried to sneak the overweight, overlength, overheight load thru town. Only problem was he tried to go under a 14'6" bridge with a load that was
15'8" tall. Damage to the bridge he hit, 3 Million (and change) and four lanes narrowed to 2 for 9 months until the repairs were made.

I work in a town filled with cyclists. Day after day watching them run redlights, stop signs etc is beginning to wear on me. In the wee hours when traffic is light, I dont care, but on weekends when traffic is heavy downtown, I have guys riding right past me at lights like nothing is wrong. If a car did that and people were standing there to see it, they would look at me like WTF arent you gonna do something?? My PD is right by the bike trail in downtown and a pretty nice little hill near the PD lot. I cant tell you how many times I've had to stop my fully marked squad to avoid someone on a bike who doesnt want to lose momentum at the stop sign at the bottom of the hill. Just saying after 20 years, I may write a cyclist for something other than an accident.

You shouldn't be mailing any CITY the $75. It should be addressed to the circuit court of the county the citation was written in. If you're mailing the fine directly to a city, then you have been issued something other than a "normal" ticket. These are usually called "P" tickets or something of the sort. In that case, depending on how the city organizes and manages the system, then their portion of the fine could be up to 100% not counting expenses. I know of very few cities in the area that utilize "P" tickets for moving violations, its usually used for cerain violations other than moving violations, (ordinance violations, equipment etc.). Can't say what happens in other states (wasnt looking at your location when I started typing).

Normally the citation is mailed to the county circuit court clerk. Last time I looked, we (city) got $13 or $17 depending on whether the person requested court supervision or not. That could have changed but since the fine amounts havent changed in 20 years or so, I guess the cities portion probably hasnt either. The county takes the lions share of the fine in various administrative fees, costs etc.

On overweight trucks, a few thousand pounds overweight, can be hundreds of dollars or more. My personal best is a guy who had to pay over a $6000 bond (fine) on the spot due to being in excess of 30,000 pounds overweight. This of course AFTER he tried to sneak the overweight, overlength, overheight load thru town. Only problem was he tried to go under a 14'6" bridge with a load that was
15'8" tall. Damage to the bridge he hit, 3 Million (and change) and four lanes narrowed to 2 for 9 months until the repairs were made.

I work in a town filled with cyclists. Day after day watching them run redlights, stop signs etc is beginning to wear on me. In the wee hours when traffic is light, I dont care, but on weekends when traffic is heavy downtown, I have guys riding right past me at lights like nothing is wrong. If a car did that and people were standing there to see it, they would look at me like WTF arent you gonna do something?? My PD is right by the bike trail in downtown and a pretty nice little hill near the PD lot. I cant tell you how many times I've had to stop my fully marked squad to avoid someone on a bike who doesnt want to lose momentum at the stop sign at the bottom of the hill. Just saying after 20 years, I may write a cyclist for something other than an accident.

:eek: That's insane. That hill I crazy steep and you can't see the traffic from the left before coming almost into the intersection itself. Honestly that hill is where I burn up most of my brake shoes.

The turn is tight enough that there isn't even much of a way to carry too much into that corner without crossing every lane and ending up a hood ornament on a firetruck.

Seriously....:wtf:

One comment refers to us as "spandex riding morons" Yeah, I guess that pretty much sums it up....I mean who else but a moron would willingly wear spandex in PUBLIC and ride to exhaustion. ....sometimes up and down killer hills. :innocent:

Y Can't say what happens in other states

Basically the same thing here in WI. We've got criminal and civil forfeitures for violations of state statutes. For these, depending on the "crime" the total fee is divided in a surprising number of ways. If you want to see for what, check here (http://www.wicourts.gov/about/filing/docs/fees.pdf). These are handled through the state circuit court system.

Many municipalities also have their own municipal ordinances for which you can receive a municipal citation. In some communities the ordinances are identical to the state statutes. However, the community gets a larger chunk of the fine and it is handled in the municipal courts.

An officer has the option of which citation is issued. Some communities here have officers that will only issue the municipal citation to get the revenue.

Introducing HonorTheStop.org, A Site Dedicated To Promoting Safe Roadways For All

We've seen several efforts to make roadways safe, not only for motorists, but also for everyone that makes use of them. For instance, there is the bicycle traffic school in Santa Cruz, California, that teaches safe cycling practices, and the growing movement for Cyclist Memorials, which raise awareness about cycling fatalities. Now a new site--HonorTheStop.org--has been launched, with the aim of "promoting safe, courteous and respectful use of roadways" for all.

The concept is simple: those interested in promoting the cause can order red and black wristbands and pledge to "obey all roadway laws and undertake to respectfully encourage others to do the same." Anyone from individuals, to corporations, to municipalities can partake in the program. So far the town of Woodside, California, has decided to support Honor the Stop, and will be launching a safety and awareness campaign. Now that high gas prices have encouraged more people to hop on their bikes, it's especially important that safety be emphasized as neophyte cyclists hit the roads and mingle with drivers that are feeling pain at the pump.

Via: :: HonortheStop.org (http://www.honorthestop.org/)

How much do they complain about horses or tractors? God forbid if there was an Amish community near there. I guess there is just no acceptance of slow moving vehicles in our roadways anymore.


Often when I've been driving my car on a country road and come up behind a tractor or other slow farm equipment, if the operator sees me back there he'll pull over or off at the next opportunity to give me a clear way past. I also appreciated it in past years when I was following a camper up a twisty double-yellowed mountain road on my motorcycle and he would pull over at the first opportunity to let me by.

I'm just saying that there is a matter of common courtesy that is different from exercising one's rights. Sort of like when a politician gets caught doing something clearly wrong and defends it by saying "I didn't break any laws." :D

^ on this note, I am quite cognizant of cars coming up from behind, especially as we head up hills or around corners. I do my best to give them an arm wave to let them know it is clear ahead and they can pass safely or a hand signal to let them know I see oncoming traffic and they should stay put for a moment. I get a lot of thank you waves as the drivers pass, which is cool. If they don't wave, that's alright, too, as long as they pass safely.

It's difficult to have several riders all slow and stop to let cars pass every time a car comes up from behind, but as long as we can do our best to signal to cars/trucks that it safe to pass, so much the better.

It's about predictability as much as it is patience. The more predictable we can be, the better off and safer we'll be.

^ on this note, I am quite cognizant of cars coming up from behind, especially as we head up hills or around corners. I do my best to give them an arm wave to let them know it is clear ahead and they can pass safely or a hand signal to let them know I see oncoming traffic and they should stay put for a moment. I get a lot of thank you waves as the drivers pass, which is cool. If they don't wave, that's alright, too, as long as they pass safely.

It's difficult to have several riders all slow and stop to let cars pass every time a car comes up from behind, but as long as we can do our best to signal to cars/trucks that it safe to pass, so much the better.

It's about predictability as much as it is patience. The more predictable we can be, the better off and safer we'll be.

I will not signal a car to pass because it then becomes my responsibility. It is up to the overtaking driver to pass safely. - TF

Wait. Am I being "racially profiled" here?

Smithers call my lawyers!

I will not signal a car to pass because it then becomes my responsibility. It is up to the overtaking driver to pass safely. - TF


totally agree. i still try to waive if the route is clear though to make it easier for everyone. on a side note, no matter how much waiving a cyclist does it is legally the overtaking drivers responsibility to pass safely. later.

The bike path argument is the worst. I work for a city, and am actually on the committee that plans bike paths when new developments come in. Their purpose: for KIDS to ride around and not be on the street. They are also made to give kids and moms-with-strolers a place to go walk without getting run over. They are not designed, nor are they intended, for groups of road cyclists to zoom down at 20+ mph. Non-cyclists see "bike paths" and think there is some magical route that can take you anywhere you want to go, via bike path. They never consider that what, maybe .00000001% of the paved surfaces in our area were designed specifically for bikes.

Our society is so "me-centric" that a driver considers it a personal affront that he is being slowed down. Like the one comment said something to the effect of "these guys are just exercising, I am trying to live my daily life." WTF makes that guy's life activities more of a priority than the cyclists activities, including exercise.

This is why I transferred to UW-Madison from Schaumburg. Stopping for stop signs is easy when there is only one every 5-10 miles or more. This is my last summer in the IL area and I did notice a crack down in Barrington/Hills. It's just too dangerous to ride in the area anymore.

totally agree. i still try to waive if the route is clear though to make it easier for everyone. on a side note, no matter how much waiving a cyclist does it is legally the overtaking drivers responsibility to pass safely. later.

It's not legally I'm worried about. - TF

totally agree. i still try to waive if the route is clear though to make it easier for everyone. on a side note, no matter how much waiving a cyclist does it is legally the overtaking drivers responsibility to pass safely. later.

That would be "wave"....you Freudian slip (wearing) insurance guy.:thumb:

^ on this note, I am quite cognizant of cars coming up from behind, especially as we head up hills or around corners. I do my best to give them an arm wave to let them know it is clear ahead and they can pass safely or a hand signal to let them know I see oncoming traffic and they should stay put for a moment. I get a lot of thank you waves as the drivers pass, which is cool. If they don't wave, that's alright, too, as long as they pass safely.

It's difficult to have several riders all slow and stop to let cars pass every time a car comes up from behind, but as long as we can do our best to signal to cars/trucks that it safe to pass, so much the better.

It's about predictability as much as it is patience. The more predictable we can be, the better off and safer we'll be.

I ride the route they mentioned in the article as part of the Harper Ride (harperride.net). We get large groups and we can be stretched out for a hundred feet. The rolling hills do not provide much of a break for someone to pass and that is where the issues arrive. Having each rider stop at stop signs would make this worse and stretch the group even further.

I ride the route they mentioned in the article as part of the Harper Ride (harperride.net). We get large groups and we can be stretched out for a hundred feet. The rolling hills do not provide much of a break for someone to pass and that is where the issues arrive. Having each rider stop at stop signs would make this worse and stretch the group even further.

This is where it gets dicey. I ride on Tuesday nights with at most 7 or 8 people. It's easy to keep control of that many.

With riders strewn over hundreds of feet of pavement it gets hard to control. At that point, riders are going to frustrate local drivers on roads where there are few safe places to pass. Riders are going to get frustrated that cars are buzzing them in an angry manner.

The roads in Barrington Hills are not really conducive to having big packs of riders block the roads, in my opinion. In that scenario, locals have a very good reason to invoke law enforcement to hold cyclists accountable to the laws of the road. Just because a group want to keep the flow of a ride going is no excuse to have dozens of riders blowing stop signs to keep it going.

I wouldn't feel safe in such a scenario. For that kind of group riding, I'd want wide open spaces where cars can see clearly and pass with confidence that another car is not coming over the crest of a hill or around a bend. Barrington Hills, as great a riding spot as it is, is not that that place.

Just my opinion, and I'm sure someone can counter it.

That would be "wave"....you Freudian slip (wearing) insurance guy.:thumb:

correct and funny. nice catch. :D

later.

This is where it gets dicey. I ride on Tuesday nights with at most 7 or 8 people. It's easy to keep control of that many.

With riders strewn over hundreds of feet of pavement it gets hard to control. At that point, riders are going to frustrate local drivers on roads where there are few safe places to pass. Riders are going to get frustrated that cars are buzzing them in an angry manner.

The roads in Barrington Hills are not really conducive to having big packs of riders block the roads, in my opinion. In that scenario, locals have a very good reason to invoke law enforcement to hold cyclists accountable to the laws of the road. Just because a group want to keep the flow of a ride going is no excuse to have dozens of riders blowing stop signs to keep it going.

I wouldn't feel safe in such a scenario. For that kind of group riding, I'd want wide open spaces where cars can see clearly and pass with confidence that another car is not coming over the crest of a hill or around a bend. Barrington Hills, as great a riding spot as it is, is not that that place.

Just my opinion, and I'm sure someone can counter it.And exactly where would you suggest a ride out of Harper should go? I90? Or are you suggesting that large group rides should not be allowed in th NW suburbs? - TF

And exactly where would you suggest a ride out of Harper should go? I90? Or are you suggesting that large group rides should not be allowed in th NW suburbs? - TF

I did not suggest anything of the sort. I suggested that a better way needs to be found to accomodate a training ride that strings out long enough to impede drivers.

I'm all for training and going fast, but when it antagonizes local residents to the point where they invoke the police to crack down on cyclists, then answers are needed. Unfortunately, I don't have the answers.

It seems everyone (riders and drivers alike) thinks they have the gods-given right to use the roads as they wish, without regard to others who have the right to be on the same road. This is the attitude that feeds the antagonism.

Coexistence between cars, trucks, bicycles, joggers, walkers, and horses on roads in one of the biggest metropolitan areas in the country is not a simple thing. I am suggesting that riders have a responsiblity to follow the rules of the road in the same manner they expect cars to follow rules of the road.

If riders want to run 4-way stop signs and stay two or three wide when cars are attempting to pass legally/safely, then the riders should be ashamed of their actions and not be surprised and whine when someone gets left-hooked across a car hood or an officer cites them. Same goes for drivers. They should be held accountable when they do dangerous manuevers that do not hew to code.

I'm not on anyone's side in this one. I ride and I drive (not at the same time). My actions while doing either entail an accountablility that I hold to as best I can. I expect others to do the same.

If I'm not mistaken, the Harper ride is a training ride and not a race, right? If this is the case, following laws should not be a problem. If the group gets split up because half of the riders miss a light or something regular like that, then what's the harm? Nobody's getting a medal or stepping up on a podium at the end, are they?

If the Harper riders truly want wide open roads, drive on down I-90 a ways and get out into the cornfields where there isn't a stop sign every 1/2 mile and cars can see into the distance to pass in a safer manner. Even then, coexistence in a decent manner with autos is called for.

I did not suggest anything of the sort. I suggested that a better way needs to be found to accomodate a training ride that strings out long enough to impede drivers.

I'm all for training and going fast, but when it antagonizes local residents to the point where they invoke the police to crack down on cyclists, then answers are needed. Unfortunately, I don't have the answers.

It seems everyone (riders and drivers alike) thinks they have the gods-given right to use the roads as they wish, without regard to others who have the right to be on the same road. This is the attitude that feeds the antagonism.

Coexistence between cars, trucks, bicycles, joggers, walkers, and horses on roads in one of the biggest metropolitan areas in the country is not a simple thing. I am suggesting that riders have a responsiblity to follow the rules of the road in the same manner they expect cars to follow rules of the road.

If riders want to run 4-way stop signs and stay two or three wide when cars are attempting to pass legally/safely, then the riders should be ashamed of their actions and not be surprised and whine when someone gets left-hooked across a car hood or an officer cites them. Same goes for drivers. They should be held accountable when they do dangerous manuevers that do not hew to code.

I'm not on anyone's side in this one. I ride and I drive (not at the same time). My actions while doing either entail an accountablility that I hold to as best I can. I expect others to do the same.

If I'm not mistaken, the Harper ride is a training ride and not a race, right? If this is the case, following laws should not be a problem. If the group gets split up because half of the riders miss a light or something regular like that, then what's the harm? Nobody's getting a medal or stepping up on a podium at the end, are they?

If the Harper riders truly want wide open roads, drive on down I-90 a ways and get out into the cornfields where there isn't a stop sign every 1/2 mile and cars can see into the distance to pass in a safer manner. Even then, coexistence in a decent manner with autos is called for.

I think that 'packs' of 7-8 riders also antagonize the motorists and police. Maybe you should take your ride out to the cornfields. (BTW, the rural residents are going to like it even less than Barrington and are sick of the city folk sending all their problems elsewhere.)

Now, I'm just being an ***** here intentionally, because I object when one cyclist says that the way they ride is way everyone should - which is what you implied. If individuals in the Harper ride, or any other ride no matter what its size, are causing problems (and I have no doubt that they are), then they should be dealt with. Condemning all training rides over 8 riders is not the solution because soon the powers will figure out that completely removing bikes from roads will be an even better ‘solution’.

TF

:lol:

We're not going to agree here, in part because you are projecting my Barrington Hills based experiences to all rides, which is not my intention.

Barrington Hills requires a different type of awareness than Critical Mass in the Loop requires a different awareness of riding west of Illinois 47 in the farm fields.

In all cases, consideration of traffic laws is called for and we as cyclists should not be surprised when we get called on it when we ride outside of the rules of the road. I'm hoping we can at least agree to that point.

:lol:

We're not going to agree here, in part because you are projecting my Barrington Hills based experiences to all rides, which is not my intention.

Barrington Hills requires a different type of awareness than Critical Mass in the Loop requires a different awareness of riding west of Illinois 47 in the farm fields.

In all cases, consideration of traffic laws is called for and we as cyclists should not be surprised when we get called on it when we ride outside of the rules of the road. I'm hoping we can at least agree to that point.

to me this is clearly what you have been saying and clearly correct. later.

Meh....I just want to ride and not get hit or harrassed....by anyone - driver, local, other riders, or police.

I'll brave it tomorrow. Didn't realize that the Harper ride goes through the area as well. They definitely have to be taking more of the heat than us.

That said I know a lot of the behaviors on Tuesday nights get blamed on the Penny Rd rides just because it's got to be one of the only identifiable starting points for the locals.

Oh well, I only have to worry about it for 10 miles or so until I get knocked off the back. Then I can take my sweet assed time and follow every law ever enacted.

Then I can take my sweet assed time and follow every law ever enacted.
Psimet's Tuesday Night Kit:

http://www.cubpack976.org/images/Cub-Scout-Fred.jpg

Meh....I just want to ride and not get hit or harrassed....by anyone - driver, local, other riders, or police.
I'll brave it tomorrow. Didn't realize that the Harper ride goes through the area as well. They definitely have to be taking more of the heat than us.

That said I know a lot of the behaviors on Tuesday nights get blamed on the Penny Rd rides just because it's got to be one of the only identifiable starting points for the locals.

Oh well, I only have to worry about it for 10 miles or so until I get knocked off the back. Then I can take my sweet assed time and follow every law ever enacted.


this reminded me that while out this Sunday, 8am along the Fox River with little traffic, a van buzzed me and the occupants yelled some Lance comment and tossed a 32oz Micky D's soda at me. i was thirsty, but soda at the halfway point of a 50 mile ride isnt my first choice. later.

Hmmm....my old scout uniform IS in the closet next to my riding gear......

Didn't realize that the Harper ride goes through the area as well.

They've been going through there for years. I think it was only held up twice, during the two world wars.

I work in a town filled with cyclists. Day after day watching them run redlights, stop signs etc is beginning to wear on me. In the wee hours when traffic is light, I dont care, but on weekends when traffic is heavy downtown, I have guys riding right past me at lights like nothing is wrong. If a car did that and people were standing there to see it, they would look at me like WTF arent you gonna do something?? My PD is right by the bike trail in downtown and a pretty nice little hill near the PD lot. I cant tell you how many times I've had to stop my fully marked squad to avoid someone on a bike who doesnt want to lose momentum at the stop sign at the bottom of the hill. Just saying after 20 years, I may write a cyclist for something other than an accident.

You should, it might save their life. Maybe not actually ticket them, but pull em over.

The momentum thing has some value. Like a cyclist rolling through a 4 way stop, I don't think that's a biggie. When there is no other traffic that is.

However cutting across traffic and just expecting/forcing them to stop, riding against traffic, and such is a big part of the reason we are hated as a stereotype IMO. So maybe just being stopped once would change their riding style, or atleast make them give some thought to it.

Plus your presence here indicates that you actually know the law as it applies to us and have an understanding of why a cyclist might be doing something like "taking the lane" unlike many of the officers mentioned in a recent thread in the commuting area.

However cutting across traffic and just expecting/forcing them to stop, riding against traffic, and such is a big part of the reason we are hated as a stereotype IMO.

I think they lump all of us on bicycles together. Unfortunately, we pay for the sins of riders who probably don't even have a driver's license, let alone know the rules of the road.

this reminded me that while out this Sunday, 8am along the Fox River with little traffic, a van buzzed me and the occupants yelled some Lance comment and tossed a 32oz Micky D's soda at me. i was thirsty, but soda at the halfway point of a 50 mile ride isnt my first choice. later.


what is it with the lance comment, I'd have to say I get that at least once every time i commute on algonquin road. Fortunately, I haven't had the soda shower yet (knocking on wood). I'll be honest I slow down and scan intersections, if there are no cars present I usually don't stop. I've also learned on my commute that being as predictable and consistent on your bike is the best thing to do. Sudden moves or weaving tends to anger drivers, thats when you get the, "Get a car loser!" comment.