Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by JeffB on June 2, 2010 at 3:56am

I rode Monroe to Promontory Point starting around 6pm last night (6/1) with no issues. Turned around and rode back up towards Wilson. Around 7pm, there were noticeably more young guys (and some rather dense families strolling in the left lane) on the path at 31st , requiring some maneuvering, but no confrontations. Noticed an ATV cop next to the beach house talking to some folks. Saw a lot more bike cops and ATVs around North Ave, along with the typical crowds. I hope they can keep the presence up through the summer. It feels like its needed.
On a side note (rant), its too bad they can't police stupidity:
- groups stopping to chat in the middle of the path, with park land all around;
- people walking in the wrong lane (and acting like you're the crazy one as you approach)
- people walking in the painted lanes in the stretches from Ohio to Oak, and Oak to North, with those WIDE paved areas next to the lanes;
- people who walk their dogs on their left, putting the more unpredictable animal in traffic

Permalink Reply by RyanG on June 2, 2010 at 5:04am

I'm glad I'm not alone, I too think things have gotten worse. It seems like this is the place for thugs to hang out and strut their stuff. I used to think south of McCormick place was safe, it's no longer the case. North Ave to Oak St is also horrible, nothing but groups of gang members and their female co-parts walking 5 wide looking for trouble. I don't understand why it all shifted to the lake this year.

I ride with my GF to train for RAGBRAI and it has not been a pleasant experience. I've been using the path since 2004 and this is the worst it's ever been. Tourists/irresponsible parents are a constant, but the thug action is new. I will be buying the same horn I used on my old BMX bike:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V5Rz6i_Okw0
That and the bear spray should do the trick!

Permalink Reply by Moc Artsy on June 2, 2010 at 9:16am

I rode both the south and north branches today, entering at 31st, riding down to the Point, then up north to Montrose and back down to 31st. There was an undercover patrol car on the trail between North and Fullerton with two cops in it and one of the new giant police SUV's just north of 31st on the way back. The cop driving the Suburban waved at me after I gave him a "you're kidding with a Suburban on the LFT, right" kind of look. I guess they are taking this seriously.

Permalink Reply by chixieonfixie on June 3, 2010 at 2:22am

Article today about police patrols and new vid cams on the lakefront. Riding yesterday down the LFP I saw heavy police presence on bikes and in squad cars b/w North and Navy Pier.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/ct-met-lakefront-police-pa...

Permalink Reply by Lisa yeah on June 3, 2010 at 3:34am

I've been riding the South half of the LFP about twice a weekend for several years now. I've always noticed that around 31st Street beach, and a little south, the path is crowded with people of all generations, because so many families grill out along those parks on the weekends. I've always had to slow down there and yield to little kids running out into the path, or groups of people ambling along. But they've never seemed at all agressive toward me or other cyclists, except maybe some a-hole who raced through and refused to be safe on that stretch.

Permalink Reply by KRLC on June 3, 2010 at 6:29am

I ride the LFP at least three times a week in the mornings. There are hardly ever any police south of Navy Pier at that time. So far only tourists have been rude. Let's hope things get better and look out for other cyclists who might be in trouble.

Permalink Reply by knowbody on June 3, 2010 at 10:56am

heheheh... a funny thought comes to mind. if (from a distance) someone looked enough like a bicycle cop, they would be well on their way before a potential attacker could muster up the courage to attack.

Permalink Reply by steve rulz on June 3, 2010 at 4:02pm

Brilliant

*Buys mountain bike, aerospokes, baby blue vest, short shorts, sun glasses*

Will probably still get beaten up for looking like a douche.

shapeshifter said:

heheheh... a funny thought comes to mind. if (from a distance) someone looked enough like a bicycle cop, they would be well on their way before a potential attacker could muster up the courage to attack.

Permalink Reply by steve rulz on June 3, 2010 at 4:45pm

Here ya go. Good luck pulling off that look. I think I would rather get punched in the face.

For real though I think these look like they could fill the need for your gear choice. However depending on what you're wearing they could scream biking golfer so watch what you wear with them. I found these on velo-orange.

H3N3 said:

I've actually started making clothing/gear choices based on what conjures "cop"-- if it helps, why not use it. Anyone have a good pic of a Chicago bike cop? I think the toughest part for me would be the footwear-- it's those court shoes in black leather, right? Or has anyone seen any wearing sandals?
shapeshifter said:

heheheh... a funny thought comes to mind. if (from a distance) someone looked enough like a bicycle cop, they would be well on their way before a potential attacker could muster up the courage to attack.

Permalink Reply by Joe TV on June 3, 2010 at 5:13pm

When winter roles back around, here's your look:

H3N3 said:

I've actually started making clothing/gear choices based on what conjures "cop"-- if it helps, why not use it. Anyone have a good pic of a Chicago bike cop? I think the toughest part for me would be the footwear-- it's those court shoes in black leather, right? Or has anyone seen any wearing sandals?
shapeshifter said:

heheheh... a funny thought comes to mind. if (from a distance) someone looked enough like a bicycle cop, they would be well on their way before a potential attacker could muster up the courage to attack.

Permalink Reply by steve rulz on June 3, 2010 at 7:25pm

Is it legal to ride with blinking blue lights?

PS. Get your regulation police kick stand

H3N3 said:

I wonder just how far you can go without technically "impersonating an officer?"
Could you mimic everything to a tee sans the word "police?"

Permalink Reply by Michael A on June 4, 2010 at 11:49am

I just rode from Lincoln and bryn Mayr to prominary point. I seldom ride the lfp at this time in this day in this direction. I cannot remember seeing this large a police presence. At least 3 groups of bike police. 2 mark squads on the path as well as an unmarked patrol car. Lastly 3-4 officers on foot patrol. My only gripe is the 25 mph headwind I hammered through to get here in 50 minutes has now died down to an occasional breeze. I sit here typing on my iPhone wearing a spandex kit waiting for the wind to pick back up

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