this is being discussed on the chicago critical mass email list.

seems to be logical as there are more people biking, eventually they will have to follow the rules. if there were only bikes, it would have to be like driving as far as following the rules or road and likely ... never mind i'm not going there.

i think the main issue is constancy and relative fairness. if they are going to enforce traffic rules for bikes first thing should be riding in the right direction.

there also has been a change of staff at the department of traffic (is that the name???). they are making pro car / anti pedestrian changes to traffic, crossing lights are only going to be shortened, right turn lights to let 5-7 cars turn vs current 2-4, and the cross walk from burnam(sp?) fountain to the lake front is closed with not subtle fences blocking it.

and arn't the tickets only in lakeview? sounds like an alderman at work.

i also agree that getting cars to follow basic rules of the road should be the first hurdle. A bike make s a mistake, they are hurt, a car makes a mistake someone could be killed.

bike=20lbs of steel
car/truck=2000-4000lbs (?)

but i guess preaching to the choir doesn't really mean that much.