In downtown Chicago, as a bicycle patrol officer, it is common for us to ride on sidewalks, wrong way down one ways streets and many other minor infractions that most people would be cited for. It is NOT the normal policy to do this though, as bicycle riders must follow the rules of the road just as the drivers do. We use our personal judgment in doing this knowing full well of the consequences if something goes wrong. Now that being said, one reason we do this is patrol patterns are easily figured out by criminals and they often are very observant in how they watch us and how we react to certain situations. Call it organized confusion if you will, but we change many things to make us unpredictable.

I won't get into departmental protocol or procedures but I will say that unless you really know what the officer/s is doing and you feel that his actions are reckless, feel free to inform his supervisor at the station. It will be handled one way or the other. Also, feel free to ask the officer. As a bicycle patrol officer, we are more accessible than in a vehicle. I can't guarantee you'll get an answer though.