Advocacy & Safety - Chicago to enforce cycling laws.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-bike-laws-crackdown-both-22-aug22,0,4921177.story

I think it's great!

Earlier in the year Chicago passed ordinances that attached specific fines to motorist violations of laws endangering cyclists. Enforcement of those ordinances has done a lot to educate motorists about cyclists rights to use the roads.

But the only way cyclists are going to receive respect on the roads is if they, too, obey the rules. A little enforcement and the accompanying publicity goes a long way towards educating cyclists that traffic laws apply to them too. I wish the suburbs and collar counties would embark on similar enforcement campaigns.

Do they plan on also enforcing laws for motorists... since only about 1% of all transportation is by bike, I would expect a 99% increase in effort towards the enforcement of laws for motorists.

Do they plan on also enforcing laws for motorists... since only about 1% of all transportation is by bike, I would expect a 99% increase in effort towards the enforcement of laws for motorists.

Go down to traffic court sometime and see how many motorists get cited.

True, lots of motorists get away with things, but the police can't be everywhere. (And we wouldn't like it if were in the sort of society in which they were.)

Go down to traffic court sometime and see how many motorists get cited.

True, lots of motorists get away with things, but the police can't be everywhere. (And we wouldn't like it if were in the sort of society in which they were.)

Oh I don't feel that cyclists shouldn't be cited, just that there should not be a vendetta on cyclists.

Oh I don't feel that cyclists shouldn't be cited, just that there should not be a vendetta on cyclists.
Since the motivation is to prevent accidents, I hardly see how enforcing the laws qualifies as a "vendetta."

Chicago has too many bike lanes. They need to get rid of them and just say all cyclists should use the full lane by ridding in the middle or near left tire track.

The cops go to cop conventions and learn about ***** like this from cops in other cities, like Portland. At least in Illinois the fine is only $25 for a cyclist who blows a light...in Oregon the fine is $242...

:eek:

But the only way cyclists are going to receive respect on the roads is if they, too, obey the rules.

Agreed, 100% I like the way Chicago is doing it. A grace period, where officers simply stop errant cyclists and advise them.


.."It's a victimless crime. " No, it's not. That's a standard, arrogant, "Nobody tells ME what to do" answer. I don't believe there is any such thing as a "victimless crime". Every cyclist who follows the rules of the road is a victim, simply because of the negative impression it gives the road-using public.

Agreed, 100% I like the way Chicago is doing it. A grace period, where officers simply stop errant cyclists and advise them.

No, it's not. That's a standard, arrogant, "Nobody tells ME what to do" answer. I don't believe there is any such thing as a "victimless crime". Every cyclist who follows the rules of the road is a victim, simply because of the negative impression it gives the road-using public.

Is there a full moon out? BF seems to be overrun lately with posts with the same theme about the alleged terrible effects of errant cyclists.

Is there a full moon out? BF seems to be overrun lately with posts with the same theme about the alleged terrible effects of errant cyclists.

These are the same people who show up downtown and, lo and behold, run lights along with everyone else.

This is good. If you disagree with these laws you should object to them and enforcement will be excellent incentive. If you agree with them then you should be happy to see them enforced.

Besides, it takes away one ridiculous argument we hear constantly.

...alleged terrible effects of errant cyclists.

I judge the effect I have on motorists by horn blowing count.

If I run the lights and keep my speed above 20 mph, maybe two or three horns blown at me per year. Those three horn blowers are morons, but I am perceived to be in their way. I might get brushed five times a year and zero right hooks.

If I get lazy or just want to "relax" and look around on the same routes i.e., bike properly, I get one to three horns blown at me per day, and get brushed twenty times at least. Probably one or two right hooks per day as well. I sometimes ride with friends who are not into breaking the law and can't do 20. No wonder they hate riding their bikes in the city, and will never commute by bike - they are treated awfully by motorists and many friends have told me just that.

So I tally the votes, and ride in a manner that keeps the horn blowing and brushing to a minimum. I am not just breaking the laws because I want to, although I freely admit that "wanting to" is a large component of it.

I wish the suburbs and collar counties would embark on similar enforcement campaigns.

The suburbs (as far as I've seen) just don't have enough bike traffic to make increased enforcement worthwhile. When I can ride for an hour and maybe see one or two other cyclists, who cares what they are doing? The car is king, increase enforcement on cars.

EDIT: I would like to see more cyclists follow the law, even when there may only be very few of them. Increased enforcement on cyclists makes sense in area's with high ridership rates.

On every single one of these threads I see the comments about ciclyst not obeying the rues yada yada.... Please, before writing that over and over again, stop by your local stop sign and count how many CARS actually STOP to 0 MPH and then talk about cyclists.

At least in Illinois the fine is only $25 for a cyclist who blows a light...in Oregon the fine is $242...

That's what you get when you start demanding equal rights. ;)

I judge the effect I have on motorists by horn blowing count.

If I run the lights and keep my speed above 20 mph, maybe two or three horns blown at me per year. Those three horn blowers are morons, but I am perceived to be in their way. I might get brushed five times a year and zero right hooks.

If I get lazy or just want to "relax" and look around on the same routes i.e., bike properly, I get one to three horns blown at me per day, and get brushed twenty times at least. Probably one or two right hooks per day as well. I sometimes ride with friends who are not into breaking the law and can't do 20. No wonder they hate riding their bikes in the city, and will never commute by bike - they are treated awfully by motorists and many friends have told me just that.

So I tally the votes, and ride in a manner that keeps the horn blowing and brushing to a minimum. I am not just breaking the laws because I want to, although I freely admit that "wanting to" is a large component of it.

Louisiana sounds like hell for for cyclist.

On every single one of these threads I see the comments about ciclyst not obeying the rues yada yada.... Please, before writing that over and over again, stop by your local stop sign and count how many CARS actually STOP to 0 MPH and then talk about cyclists.

You have a point, no doubt about it. Thing is, when 2 cars do that `creep` thing at a 4 way stop, then run into each other, it`s an annoyance to both drivers. Nothing more. When a cyclist is on the receiving end, the result is often a bit worse. I understand your being angry, but I`d rather just deal with the unfairness of it all and stay alive.

As far as red light running cyclists go, well, Darwin is calling. When such a cylist gets killed, the first response on the boards is always, `let`s be careful out there guys.` Uh huh. Can`t work up any sympathy myself.

As long as the City isn't using far-right or bike lane rules to ticket us for being in the traffic lanes (Portland-style), I think ticketing cyclists for breaking the general rules of traffic is a good thing.

A major reason for the recent crackdown is there have been too many cycling related deaths as of late. It may appear it's another Daley revenue producing guise, but recent statistics have shown that accidents are up along with ridership in the city. As more riders take to the street to commute, the accident rate has soared along with it. Many cyclists have paid too dear a price for the ignorance of drivers, but cyclists often share the blame by not following the most basic of traffic laws which could have prevented some of those accidents. Chicago is very bike friendly and is continuing to expand that role, so it only makes sense to educate those riders that "forget" the basic rules.

The current campaign is to get the word out that basic rules of the road apply to all that use it in whatever capacity they choose. Tickets are more of an afterthought for most of us. We have more important missions to perform, but if it needs to be done so be it.

If they really want to cut down on injuries to cyclists what they should be doing is putting plainclothes cops out on bikes and giving tickets to motorists who violate cyclists' right of way.

If they really want to cut down on injuries to cyclists what they should be doing is putting plainclothes cops out on bikes and giving tickets to motorists who violate cyclists' right of way.

Yeah. They better double their budget and add a lot more cops and courts. Should create a nice revenue stream to pay for all that though - assuming they make the tickets expensive.

What are they considering a "stopped" bike? Will a track stand be ok at stop signs, or will they insist on a foot down stop every time?

the sad fact is that it's a lot easier to stop cyclists than it is to ferret out the motorists violating cyclists' rights of way, so they just do what's easy.

the sad fact is that it's a lot easier to stop cyclists than it is to ferret out the motorists violating cyclists' rights of way, so they just do what's easy.

May I add that lawmakers are lazy and misinformed about cyclists needs and what is really safe out there on the streets.

It is so easy to just decree: "Cyclist must obey the same rules as motor vehicles" without any clue about what cyclists need or how they think.

What are they considering a "stopped" bike? Will a track stand be ok at stop signs, or will they insist on a foot down stop every time?

This is a big question of mine. What is "Stopped?"

A major reason for the recent crackdown is there have been too many cycling related deaths as of late. It may appear it's another Daley revenue producing guise, but recent statistics have shown that accidents are up along with ridership in the city.

Plus Daley's gotta get those 2016 Olympics at all costs. Got to raise quality of life in Chicago to look good to the IOC. :rolleyes:

Stopping is a good question. As is the longevity of this enforcement. I don't doubt that there are more cyclists around this summer than last, so long as the weather's not too hot or rainy. But I bet the number of bicycles on the street in November drops to an historical average, not an outlier. Will the cops care about cyclists then?

May I add that lawmakers are lazy and misinformed about cyclists needs and what is really safe out there on the streets.

It is so easy to just decree: "Cyclist must obey the same rules as motor vehicles" without any clue about what cyclists need or how they think.

Enlighten me, Joey. What do I need? How do I think? Pretend for a moment, you`re in charge of making the rules.

Enlighten me, Joey. What do I need? How do I think? Pretend for a moment, you`re in charge of making the rules.

http://joey-bike.blogspot.com/

http://joey-bike.blogspot.com/

That`s a very cool blog. Lot of information. I don`t happen to agree with it, but that`s just how it goes with opinions. People differ. Thanks for the link. Take care.

This is a big question of mine. What is "Stopped?"

This is potentially a big issue to me, as well. As someone else mentioned, the only time a typical motorist comes to a full legal stop at a stop sign is either when a cop is watching or when he/shoe has to wait for someone else to clear the intersection. When you drive a car, do you honestly come to a full legal stop at every stop sign? I'll be the first to admit that I often do not, and my Tiptronic tattles on me by downshifting to 2nd gear, but not to 1st.The "California stop" or slow rolling stop has become the norm, and I do not consider it a safety problem in normal practice.

Yesterday morning I saw two pairs of cyclists getting busted by the Oceanside Police on Pacific Street, probably for failure to stop at an all-way stop sign. When I am walking or jogging, I am not expected to stop for stop signs if there is no competing traffic -- is it really any different if I bike gently through a stop sign at 2mph, which is half my walking speed or a quarter of my running speed? As long as the police are enforcing the spirit of the law and going after those who blast through stop signs, I genuinely applaud their efforts, but I have a real problem with anyone who would define a legal stop on the bike as "one foot on the ground." So far, a slowly creeping trackstand has never gotten me into legal trouble, and I would argue this is as it should be.

That`s a very cool blog. Lot of information. I don`t happen to agree with it, but that`s just how it goes with opinions. People differ. Thanks for the link. Take care.

Thanks.

Ride the way you feel safe. Learn from experience and adapt to facts on the ground. Think for yourself.

That's my advice in a nutshell.

Plus Daley's gotta get those 2016 Olympics at all costs. Got to raise quality of life in Chicago to look good to the IOC. :rolleyes:

Stopping is a good question. As is the longevity of this enforcement. I don't doubt that there are more cyclists around this summer than last, so long as the weather's not too hot or rainy. But I bet the number of bicycles on the street in November drops to an historical average, not an outlier. Will the cops care about cyclists then?

I couldn't answer that question, but I know I'll be out there riding. I would love to see Chicago continue expanding bike lanes and making it easier for cyclists to get around the city. There's more than enough road out there for us all so that means sharing it.

What are they considering a "stopped" bike? Will a track stand be ok at stop signs, or will they insist on a foot down stop every time?Generally the laws says stop, and nothing about `feet down'. A track stand includes a stop (or lots of them), so it should qualify. You might have to explain how you can be stopped without your feet down, however, if he's never seen it. (Of course, track stands tend to imply fixies (though they can be done on a hill, of course) -- so let's hope you've got a brake, or that your legs qualify as a brake in that state/to that cop.)

Beyond coming to a stop, you're at the cop's mercy. From what I've seen, most cops are reasonable -- if you never really stop your car, but instead slow to 1mph, you probably won't get a ticket. Same probably goes for your bike, though most can't really ride at 1 mph, but 3 mph would probably avoid a ticket too. But only probably.