The Chainlink

'Walk your bike on the sidewalk' sting operation...I got a ticket as did others

Corner of Michigan and Monroe..last couple of blocks before lakefront path

Just wishing they would pick a more clear cut spot if they wanted to enforce some of the many traffic violations that bikers are responsible for.  

There's really no good choice here (in my opinion).  Cars are going faster past Michigan going East on Monroe and there's not a lot of room for bikes on the side.  Many if not most bikers, ride on the sidewalk here for this reason.  

According to the grumpy cop who wrote my ticket, he doesn't care and I can call my alderman. Yay.  

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1. Sidewalk riding is legal as long as you on your way to parking your bike.

2. But sidewalk riding is still illegal on Sheridan between Hollywood and Broadway roughly. Fines are $200. Not worth trying it. Just use Kenmore going North, or Winthrop going south. Or if you are feeling gutsy, just ride up Sheridan in the street.

Jaik S. said:

I was thinking about the "riding on sidewalks" last night up by Granville & Sheridan. There are a bunch of spraypainted/stenciled signs on the sidewalks advising people to walk their bikes. I could have swore around the start of the Divvy craze, there was a law passed making it not illegal for short distances on sidewalks.

Maybe I'm wrong.

They changed the law so that police no longer are supposed to keep your license, but unfortunately it doesn't go into effect until Jan. 1st.  That being said, I always ride in the street on that stretch of Monroe and never had so much as a close call.  The sidewalks usually are crowded with tourists, given the location.

From the Tangentially Related Department:
I was looking for an Android app with a Chicago-looking logo last week, and stumbled across a little tool called Chicago Bike Laws. I haven't verified the information, but it contains the text of Chicago bicycle-related laws. (And also a tab with ads to download the author's guide to Chicago bicycling. Fair enough.)
I have browsed the contents a couple of times just out of curiosity. Maybe useful in some circumstances.
No idea whether iPhone or Blackberry versions exist.

I am not 100% sure but I believe Illinois requires people over 18 to have a ID on their person at all times.

I have my license number memorized but if they ran it my weight listed is my former 30 lbs fatter self.

Davis Moore said:

I'm sure you're being tongue in cheek but in case you're not, you might want to rethink that. If a cop really wants to write you a ticket, and needs to determine your identity to do so, they can detain you for as long as is reasonably necessary to do so. That can mean cuffing you and taking you to the district precinct office and holding you there until your identity can be confirmed.

Furthermore, while it's not illegal to not have id on you while riding a bike, lying to an officer about your identity is against the law.

The Korn said:

I know I'm going to get crucified by the uptight law & order types for this, but this is the main reason why I almost never bike with ID.

My name?  Uhhh...  Bob Johnson.  From Denver.  Yeah, that'll do.  I'm Bob Johnson from Denver.

No.

http://www.illinoislegalaid.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.dsp_conte...

Chitown_Mike said:

I am not 100% sure but I believe Illinois requires people over 18 to have a ID on their person at all times.

I have my license number memorized but if they ran it my weight listed is my former 30 lbs fatter self.

Davis Moore said:

I'm sure you're being tongue in cheek but in case you're not, you might want to rethink that. If a cop really wants to write you a ticket, and needs to determine your identity to do so, they can detain you for as long as is reasonably necessary to do so. That can mean cuffing you and taking you to the district precinct office and holding you there until your identity can be confirmed.

Furthermore, while it's not illegal to not have id on you while riding a bike, lying to an officer about your identity is against the law.

The Korn said:

I know I'm going to get crucified by the uptight law & order types for this, but this is the main reason why I almost never bike with ID.

My name?  Uhhh...  Bob Johnson.  From Denver.  Yeah, that'll do.  I'm Bob Johnson from Denver.

This is where someone always posts a link to this:



Try this in Chicago.... if you don't have to be anywhere for a few days.


Davis Moore said:

I'm sure you're being tongue in cheek but in case you're not, you might want to rethink that. If a cop really wants to write you a ticket, and needs to determine your identity to do so, they can detain you for as long as is reasonably necessary to do so. That can mean cuffing you and taking you to the district precinct office and holding you there until your identity can be confirmed.

Furthermore, while it's not illegal to not have id on you while riding a bike, lying to an officer about your identity is against the law.

The Korn said:

I know I'm going to get crucified by the uptight law & order types for this, but this is the main reason why I almost never bike with ID.

My name?  Uhhh...  Bob Johnson.  From Denver.  Yeah, that'll do.  I'm Bob Johnson from Denver.

There is no law to that effect.  (The state would have to issue IDs for free to everyone, and they're not about to do that!)  http://www.illinoislegalaid.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.dsp_conte...

Chitown_Mike said:

I am not 100% sure but I believe Illinois requires people over 18 to have a ID on their person at all times.

Oh by the way.... there's no such law.

It was half tongue in cheek.  Every time I ride it's pretty much without ID, unless I'm going to the store or have other reason to have my wallet on me.  (I've had a really bad run of lost wallets this year, much safer to just leave them at home.)

Of course it's not a great idea to lie to cops.  The other half of the coin is that realistically most cops can't be bothered to haul you anywhere (let alone you and your bike), at least not for the types of things they typically get in bikers' faces over.  As long as you're not flagrantly being an asshole towards them, they'll tend to just write down your name and address on the citation and be done with it.  YMMV, of course.

Respectfully, Bob from Denver.  ;)


Davis Moore said:

I'm sure you're being tongue in cheek but in case you're not, you might want to rethink that. If a cop really wants to write you a ticket, and needs to determine your identity to do so, they can detain you for as long as is reasonably necessary to do so. That can mean cuffing you and taking you to the district precinct office and holding you there until your identity can be confirmed.

Furthermore, while it's not illegal to not have id on you while riding a bike, lying to an officer about your identity is against the law.

Sugar Plum Fairy came and hit the streets looking for bike blogs and a place to sleep; on the side in Chicago shoulda seen him go go go.. they said hey babe, walk you bike on the side walk!

There are so many meme pictures I want to post....but won't because I don't think the site could handle it.

But I will post this, just because it makes as much sense......



Irvin Steinert said:

Sugar Plum Fairy came and hit the streets looking for bike blogs and a place to sleep; on the side in Chicago shoulda seen him go go go.. they said hey babe, walk you bike on the side walk!

Looks like it was Parks and Rec. that was filming there. 

http://chicagoist.com/2014/09/04/nbcs_parks_and_recreation_filming_...

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