If you bike, you should know the laws on the books.

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Permalink Reply by mattbikes1 on September 22, 2009 at 3:23pm

I am curious. What laws are you violating and why? Perhaps this subject requires a forum posting of its own? I know I break certain laws regularly. I certainly don't agree with all the laws that are on the books, or at least the flexibility of said laws. So, I am curious. What laws are flexible and in what situations? I will personally divulge that, in a case of a four way controlled intersection, I will not stop if there is no oncoming or perpendicular traffic. I think this one requires some critical thinking and flexibility on the part of a hypothetically witnessing law enforcement agent. Although, I have yet to be cited when violating this statute, even in front of a cop, but I do stop to make sure I have time and space in these instances. This, of course, is still a violation. I think especially in Chicago, the question is not, did you violate a traffic law, but will an officer be willing to cite you for said violation. I do know this much: ignorance of the law is not a defense, hence the reason I posted this forum subject.

Juan Dominguez said:

I seem to be disobeying the law daily...

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Permalink Reply by Dan Townsend on September 23, 2009 at 2:09am

9-52-021 Riding bicycles on sidewalks–Penalty - Permalink

(a) The penalty for any person age 18 and older who rides a bicycle on the sidewalk adjacent to North Sheridan Road, between West Ardmore Avenue and West Sheridan Road (6400 north) shall be as follows: (1) the bicycle shall be temporarily disabled without permanent damage; and (2) the violator shall be subject to a fine of $50.00. (b) Following passage and approval, this section shall be in force and effect upon posting of signage notifying bicyclists of the penalty for violation of this section.
I like these ha
Added Coun. J. 2-6-02, p. 79154, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 6-4-03, p. 2538, § 1

9-52-030 Speed of bicycles - Permalink

No person shall operate a bicycle at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under the conditions then existing.

Added Coun. J. 7-12-90, p. 18634

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Permalink Reply by Homebuilt on September 23, 2009 at 9:17am

One thing I still wonder is: what if my <12yo. is attached to my bike? i.e. trail-a-bike, trailer, bike seat.

I generally try to ride on the road, but I need to make a lot more exceptions when I'm w/my kids, which sometimes includes going the wrong way, or riding on a sidewalk for a few blocks, depending on the situation.

I smile and of course yield generously to peds.

I don't see much in that list that I violate otherwise, except for the registration provision, I wonder how many current registrations they have, 10? and if the computer could handle it if suddenly every bicyclist in the city set out to register their bikes.

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Permalink Reply by Homebuilt on September 23, 2009 at 11:22am

Ha! The parked cars might get in the way.

h3 said:

It shouldn't be too hard to have one of our local mad bike inventors design a kid trailer that can ride on the sidewalk while you ride in the street :-)

Homebuilt said:

One thing I still wonder is: what if my <12yo. is attached to my bike? i.e. trail-a-bike, trailer, bike seat.

I generally try to ride on the road, but I need to make a lot more exceptions when I'm w/my kids, which sometimes includes going the wrong way, or riding on a sidewalk for a few blocks, depending on the situation.

I smile and of course yield generously to peds.

I don't see much in that list that I violate otherwise, except for the registration provision, I wonder how many current registrations they have, 10? and if the computer could handle it if suddenly every bicyclist in the city set out to register their bikes.

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