The Chainlink

Are you in any of these videos of bicycling "scofflaws"?

OK, this is student journalism from Medill, so do NOT use normal standards in critiquing the content of this piece, "Bicyclists, cars, pedestrians are an uneasy mix". 

I found it interesting to watch the five short accompanying video clips, used to illustrate that bicyclists do not follow the rules of the road. In each case, the shot is too tight to see the entire intersection, so critical information is missing like whether it's a one-way cross street a T-intersection (which is the case in three of the videos). Perhaps the author doesn't ride a bicycle very much herself; she seems to feel that a cyclist needs to visibly wag her head left to right in order to view the whole intersection and prove she's following the law.

In any case, I'm surprised the author couldn't get footage of more egregious behavior, as these clips are pretty tame. For example, it's true that the cyclist in the third video at Clark and LaSalle should not be blocking the crosswalk (although a mitigating factor is there are no pedestrians present); but he is rightfully in front of all the cars (the author seems to imply he should be behind the stop line for vehicles?) and he has to be given credit for stopping at the red light, proceeding with green, and most impressively balancing on his bike for at least 20 seconds!

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Permalink Reply by Liz on December 5, 2011 at 3:51pm

I honestly wish that police would start ticketing cyclists who ride after dark without lights and cyclists who run red lights.  They're behaviors that are dangerous not just to those riders but to others.

With speeding and red light cameras Chicago is cracking down on motorists who violate the law, it would make sense that the increase in ticketing for violations apply to cyclists as well. It could help end the side of the "anti cycling" debate that cyclists who break the law face no consequences. 

Permalink Reply by globalguy on December 5, 2011 at 4:07pm

I posted the Salon article on my FB page and Anne Alt mentioned the lack of effort to improver bike infrastructure on the South and West Sides. It looks like London is having the same problem according to This Big City: In addition to its limited geographical distribution, London’s cycle hire scheme has been criticised for failing to attract a broad range of users.

Permalink Reply by globalguy on December 5, 2011 at 4:09pm

@Liz - I TOTALLY agree!  Besides, the increased brightness, improved battery life, and decreasing cost of lights removes most excuses for getting lit!

Permalink Reply by Fran Kondorf on December 5, 2011 at 4:13pm

+1

 


Liz said:

I honestly wish that police would start ticketing cyclists who ride after dark without lights and cyclists who run red lights.  They're behaviors that are dangerous not just to those riders but to others.

With speeding and red light cameras Chicago is cracking down on motorists who violate the law, it would make sense that the increase in ticketing for violations apply to cyclists as well. It could help end the side of the "anti cycling" debate that cyclists who break the law face no consequences. 


 

Permalink Reply by MagMileMarauder on December 5, 2011 at 5:11pm

Would you support increased ticketing for Jay-walking as well? (if enforceable) This includes crossing a street when there's a red light, regardless of whether there's oncoming traffic or not.

I ask this because in many ways, I see a biker as a hybrid between a pedestrian and a motorized vehicle.

Liz said:

I honestly wish that police would start ticketing cyclists who ride after dark without lights and cyclists who run red lights.  They're behaviors that are dangerous not just to those riders but to others.

With speeding and red light cameras Chicago is cracking down on motorists who violate the law, it would make sense that the increase in ticketing for violations apply to cyclists as well. It could help end the side of the "anti cycling" debate that cyclists who break the law face no consequences. 

Permalink Reply by Liz on December 6, 2011 at 8:28am
yes I do think morepedestrians should get tickets for jaywalking. I see many downtown that cross regardless of on comong traffic. 

Regardless of your opinion on howto classify cyclists there is no reason to run a red light with traffic present and cyclists should be ticketed for it.

MagMileMarauder said:

Would you support increased ticketing for Jay-walking as well? (if enforceable) This includes crossing a street when there's a red light, regardless of whether there's oncoming traffic or not.

I ask this because in many ways, I see a biker as a hybrid between a pedestrian and a motorized vehicle.

Liz said:

I honestly wish that police would start ticketing cyclists who ride after dark without lights and cyclists who run red lights.  They're behaviors that are dangerous not just to those riders but to others.

With speeding and red light cameras Chicago is cracking down on motorists who violate the law, it would make sense that the increase in ticketing for violations apply to cyclists as well. It could help end the side of the "anti cycling" debate that cyclists who break the law face no consequences. 

Permalink Reply by Tony Adams on December 5, 2011 at 5:43pm

fixt:



James BlackHeron said:

Own Goal!

Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on December 5, 2011 at 5:47pm

The damage is done.

Bikes are not cars.  Laws made for cars are not appropriate for bikes. 

Permalink Reply by MagMileMarauder on December 5, 2011 at 6:33pm

Amen Brother J, missed your posts around here. Good to see you back!

James BlackHeron said:

The damage is done.

Bikes are not cars.  Laws made for cars are not appropriate for bikes. 

Permalink Reply by Zoetrope on December 5, 2011 at 8:28pm

+1 on that.

Human beings lack of imagination never ceases to amaze me.  

James BlackHeron said:

The damage is done.

Bikes are not cars.  Laws made for cars are not appropriate for bikes. 

Permalink Reply by h' Zerocats on December 5, 2011 at 8:43pm

Permalink Reply by Thunder Snow on December 5, 2011 at 8:49pm

Excellent, h'!  If it has that tag line, I want one of these.  I don't have a car to put it on, but I'll gladly wear it around my neck on a bling chain, Flava Flav style.
 
h' said:

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