BikingGrad80

good to hear

https://cbs2chicago.com/local/bicycle....2.648294.html

tate65

Too bad that can't move to the state level. Here in Texas we couldn't even get a safe passing bill to pass the state senate, let alone one with some teeth.

apocalypse

https://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/...iding-dal.html

Bike-riding Daley provides 'Chicago way salutes' to offending drivers

Posted by Gary Washburn at 6:30 p.m.

Chicago bicyclists, Mayor Daley knows your pain.

The mayor introduced an ordinance Wednesday that would slap fines ranging from $150 to $500 on motorists who turn left or right in front of someone on a bicycle; pass with less than three feet of space between car and bike; and open a vehicle door into the path of a cyclist.

Daley, an avid rider, said he personally has been involved in unhappy encounters with motorists, providing them with "a few choice words" and "salutes" that he said were delivered "in the Chicago way."

treebound 

This is an interesting turn of events. Wasn't it not too long ago in Illinois where cyclists were declared to not be primary intended users of the roadways?

Seamless

Noted at https://www.bikeforums.net/showpost.p...1&postcount=25

The proposal to levy fines is a natural extension of lane usage ordinances, consistent with Daley's interest in urban bicycle recreation.

Ya Tu Sabes

I just wish Chicago would finally crack down on Jams.

jilla82

This is a great place for cyclist

Mr. Underbridge

I think the motivation on the prior one was purely to defend against civil lawsuits from idiots who hit a crack in the road, crash, and sue. The message is, basically, that Illinois maintains the roads in a condition sufficient for motorized vehicles to travel. If that level of maintenance is sufficient for a cyclist, good. If potholes and cracks pose an insurmountable hazard, then perhaps the track would be a better place.

Bottom line is that prior law didn't make cycling illegal, and didn't discourage it - it's just saying you ride at your own risk, and don't expect the road surface to be silky smooth. That's probably obvious for 99% of us, but there's always that other idiot.

robmcl

I think it is a good law but then they should crack down on bad cycling too. Specificly, riding at night in dark clothes and no lights. This is a real problem when you are driving as you can not always see people until you are right on top of them.

Wrong way cyclists would be good too. They too tend to appear from nowwhere especially when pulling out of something like a parking ramp.