Originally Posted by
missjean
So, I've got my Dad (who is 82 & has mild Alzheimer's) in the car with me this morning. It's a beautiful day and there are quite a number of people out riding their bikes.
Up ahead are 2 guys riding side-by-side & they are not moving over, but no worries, the road is straight and there is no one coming, so I pull way over into the other lane to pass them.
But, then, as we pass my Dad gives them the finger!!!
I say "DAD, what did you do that for??!!" He says "They didn't move over."
Him doing that was bad enough, but on the back window of my car is a yellow sticker that says "We are traffic! Share the road." and the local bike club sticker.
Aren't there states where it is illegal for bicyclists to ride side-by-side? I believe Illinois is one of them, but I wouldn't know. I always ride alone. Maybe your dad was right?
Sounds like those bikers could have been impeding the flow of traffic.
(625 ILCS 5/11‑1505) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 11‑1505)
Sec. 11‑1505. Position of bicycles and motorized pedal cycles on roadways ‑ Riding on roadways and bicycle paths.
(a) Any person operating a bicycle or motorized pedal cycle upon a roadway at less than the normal speed of traffic at the time and place and under the conditions then existing shall ride as close as practicable and safe to the right‑hand curb or edge of the roadway except under the following situations:
1. When overtaking and passing another bicycle,
motorized pedal cycle or vehicle proceeding in the same direction; or
2. When preparing for a left turn at an intersection
or into a private road or driveway; or
3. When reasonably necessary to avoid conditions
including, but not limited to, fixed or moving objects, parked or moving vehicles, bicycles, motorized pedal cycles, pedestrians, animals, surface hazards, or substandard width lanes that make it unsafe to continue along the right‑hand curb or edge. For purposes of this subsection, a "substandard width lane" means a lane that is too narrow for a bicycle or motorized pedal cycle and a vehicle to travel safely side by side within the lane.
4. When approaching a place where a right turn is
authorized.
(b) Any person operating a bicycle or motorized pedal cycle upon a one‑way highway with two or more marked traffic lanes may ride as near the left‑hand curb or edge of such roadway as practicable.
(Source: P.A. 95‑231, eff. 1‑1‑08.)
(625 ILCS 5/11‑1505.1) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 11‑1505.1)
Sec. 11‑1505.1. Persons riding bicycles or motorized pedal cycles upon a roadway shall not ride more than 2 abreast, except on paths or parts of roadways set aside for their exclusive use.
Persons riding 2 abreast shall not impede the normal and reasonable movement of traffic and, on a laned roadway, shall ride within a single lane subject to the provisions of Section 11‑1505.
(Source: P.A. 83‑549.)