Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by We all have an inner Beast... on December 13, 2012 at 8:00pm

Just like the no cellphone use law. You will see CPD Officers using their cells while driving (not using their seat belts, etc). Yet, they will write you a ticket for that same infraction, in a heartbeat.

It's a hypocritical Catch-22. "Do as I say, not as I do"-type of mentality.

I try to lead by example, for my co-workers, subordinates (both in the military and in civilian life), and especially my kids.

I believe that if we all start doing the right thing (even when no one is looking), that others around us will start doing it as well. I know that it is an extremely difficult thing to do (doing what is right, while everyone around you is doing the wrong thing), but we must continue going forward.

I know that that is an impossibility, but 70% is better than 2%.

Just like a wheel's rotation, it has to start somewhere. Why not with all of us ?

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Permalink Reply by Jason W on December 14, 2012 at 4:56am

I'm pretty sure the average joe isn't going to associate bike cops behavior with regular cyclists. Cause uhhh... how should I put this... the cops  have a much stronger reputation around here then cyclists ever will. And cops will be cops long after the angst towards cyclists has waned.

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Permalink Reply by El Dorado on December 14, 2012 at 5:17am

Manny, some of them especially the unmarked cars with the TACT guys don't wear seat belts because they have to jump out in emergency situations. The bike cops do always seem to have lights though. I like how they have to lock their bikes up at Starbucks with their handcuffs. Only in Chicago.

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Permalink Reply by blair on December 14, 2012 at 5:29am

I've almost been hit by a cop riding on the Michigan Ave sidewalk during rush hour.  Caught up to him at my bike garage (where they store/repair their bikes).  Of course, he just laughed at me.

My biggest complaint is parking their cars in bike lanes.  Other motorists aren't going to break the habit if they know cops are doing the same thing.

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Permalink Reply by Doug Haynes on December 14, 2012 at 5:39am

They don't follow the rules of the road when they drive, why would they follow them when they ride?

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Permalink Reply by Will on December 14, 2012 at 2:54pm

I see them salmoning on Wabash, north of Harrison sometimes. Meh.

Like Doug says, they don't follow the rules of the road, period. Seems like they should, unless there's an emergency, but they don't care, and I don't worry too much about it.

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Permalink Reply by Mollie on December 15, 2012 at 6:03am

This is my point.  We all know that CPD cops do a million things they shouldn't, but hey, if a cop is inconsiderate then I can be, too.  It's never going to improve.

122782_ said:

My biggest complaint is parking their cars in bike lanes.  Other motorists aren't going to break the habit if they know cops are doing the same thing.

Also, to h--yes!  Since Rahm, you see a lot more police out and about, but what does it matter if they're all engrossed in their cell phones?

This has been bugging me for other reasons.  For about the last 6 months I've noticed that you can not look into a police vehicle without seeing one or both occupants totally engrossed in their smart phones, with Facebook practically reflected in their faces. We have a cop shortage and then we've reduced the awareness of the police out on the road by at least 1/2 by allowing them to be completely elsewhere mentally while on duty.  It's pathetic.

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