Different Cities, Different Rules?

Been to a city where the rules or laws don't seem to be the same as Chicago? 

So, been in D.C. for a little over a week now and I have seen SO many people riding their bikes on the sidewalks. And... NO shaming. No one yelling at them. Nothing. I'm not crazy about the sidewalk riding but then I rode on the street and nearly got smooshed by a SUV that didn't look before moving to the right. Definitely not in Chicago anymore...

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Permalink Reply by Tony Adams on October 4, 2017 at 3:51am

Except I have the impression that DC itself is solidly democratic.

Permalink Reply by Argonne69 on October 4, 2017 at 3:52am

Huh? It doesn't get much bluer than D.C.

Permalink Reply by Yasmeen on October 4, 2017 at 1:58pm

Very true. SO blue! :-) 

Permalink Reply by V W on October 4, 2017 at 5:51am
When I was in Seattle I was informed that biking on the sidewalk was legal there as well.

By the way, aside from whether it's legal or not, I'm not as anti biking on the sidewalk as many bikers seem to be. There's situations, like on western ave, where there's fast moving traffic, no bike lanes, and a general level of disregard for cyclists (a "you don't belong here" attitude on the behalf of drivers), and wide, loosely populated sidewalks, where I don't see the harm in taking the sidewalk as long as you act like you are the interloper and yield to everything else, and go slow. Also, it's less offensive to me to see a cruiser or mountain bike on the sidewalk vs a road bike (inherently slower vs faster).
Permalink Reply by Tony Adams on October 4, 2017 at 7:46am

Yes exactly! re being carefully flexible about sidewalks.

Permalink Reply by Tom A.K. on October 4, 2017 at 9:42am
http://www.npr.org/2016/10/16/496865680/6-things-you-need-to-know-a...

When I was in D.C. the sidewalks there for the most part were wider and roomier than here in Chicago. And sidewalk riding is not permitted in the central business district (downtown D.C.).
Permalink Reply by Yasmeen on October 4, 2017 at 2:01pm

From what I've been told, not legal but people kinda just let it go. Don't get worked up. I have yet to see someone swear at anyone else on the road. Granted, my drive in to work from my temp. place is frightening (I plan to bike commute when I get in an apt.) but that's also more to do with the crazy streets and how they open all lanes during rush hour but there's no signage that explains what's going on so it all feels a little nutty. And super fast.

Permalink Reply by Maurice on October 4, 2017 at 7:18am

In Pittsburgh, cars turn left as soon as the light turns green, even if they don't have a green arrow.

 

They also come to a complete stop at the end of highway on-ramps, but that doesn't affect cycling.

Permalink Reply by Gage B. on October 4, 2017 at 2:22pm
Permalink Reply by David Henri on October 5, 2017 at 1:54am

That's what we need in Chicago.  Just think of the photo-op for Rahm.

Permalink Reply by Alex Z on October 5, 2017 at 2:27am

In my (limited) experience I found DC a pretty nice city to cycle in...it took some getting used to those hills though. Stay safe!

Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on October 5, 2017 at 5:35am

Laws about things like this can vary quite a bit from city to city and state to state. Chicago has a law prohibiting sidewalk riding by people over age 12, but most surrounding municipalities do not - except for business districts or other locations where there is signage specific to that area - such as downtown Evanston.

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