The Chainlink

The Trials and Tribulations of Biking in NYC

Casey Neistat

 

Great little video illustrating the stupidity of the law in NYC and the stupidity of it's application by NYPD. Apparently, where there is a bike lane a cyclist is not allowed out of the said bike lane. DUMBEST. LAW. EVER!

Note to Chicago City Council: Don't even think about it!

 

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Permalink Reply by Bike Bloke on June 9, 2011 at 10:04pm
Permalink Reply by Adam "Cezar" Jenkins on June 10, 2011 at 12:22am
How many times will this thread be posted?
Permalink Reply by h' Zerocats on June 10, 2011 at 5:04am

Did you watch the video completely? There is apparently no such law in NYC.

You are incorrect in assuming there is no such law in Chicago.

Permalink Reply by Michael J Blane on June 10, 2011 at 8:22am

So, you're saying (H3N3) that in Chicago, the law is that if there's a bike lane, you can't ride out of it? You're legally prohibited from riding on the "other" part of the street?

Could/would you help with the section number of the law please?

Permalink Reply by Dr. Doom on June 10, 2011 at 8:29am

I believe he's referring to the following law, which could certainly be interpreted as mandating that you ride in the lane by a ball breaking cop:

11-15-1505- Position of bicycles and motorized pedal cycles on roadways - Riding on roadways and bicycle paths - Permalink

(a) Any person operating a bicycle or motorized pedal cycle upon a roadway at less than the normal speed of traffic at the time and place and under the conditions then existing shall ride as close as practicable and safe to the right hand curb or edge of the roadway except under the following situations: 1. When overtaking and passing another bicycle, motorized pedal cycle or vehicle proceeding in the same direction; or 2. When preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway; or 3. When reasonably necessary to avoid conditions including, but not limited to, fixed or moving objects, parked or moving vehicles, bicycles, motorized pedal cycles, pedestrians, animals, surface hazards, or substandard width lanes that make it unsafe to continue along the right hand curb or edge. For purposes of this subsection, a "substandard width lane" means a lane that is too narrow for a bicycle or motorized pedal cycle and a vehicle to travel safely side by side within the lane. 4. When approaching a place where a right turn is authorized. (b) Any person operating a bicycle or motorized pedal cycle upon a one way highway with two or more marked traffic lanes may ride as near the left hand curb or edge of such roadway as practicable.

P.A. 95 231, eff. 1-1-08

Permalink Reply by Michael J Blane on June 10, 2011 at 8:53am

Thanks,

I'd like to hear the court arguments as to what is practicable, and what hazards might be present.

Dr. Doom said:

I believe he's referring to the following law, which could certainly be interpreted as mandating that you ride in the lane by a ball breaking cop:

11-15-1505- Position of bicycles and motorized pedal cycles on roadways - Riding on roadways and bicycle paths - Permalink

Permalink Reply by Kevin C Dormant on June 10, 2011 at 10:01am
Number 3 is the sweet spot for the court argument; i.e. parked vehicle, slower bike, pot hole, pedestrian, discarded fast food, pet waste, human waste..., etc.

Michael J Blane said:

Thanks,

I'd like to hear the court arguments as to what is practicable, and what hazards might be present.

Dr. Doom said:

I believe he's referring to the following law, which could certainly be interpreted as mandating that you ride in the lane by a ball breaking cop:

11-15-1505- Position of bicycles and motorized pedal cycles on roadways - Riding on roadways and bicycle paths - Permalink

Permalink Reply by h' Zerocats on June 10, 2011 at 12:25pm

Nope-- I was referring to this one (see "d."):

 

http://www.chicagobikes.org/bikelaws/index.php?show=search&chap...

 

9-52-020- Riding bicycles on sidewalks and certain roadways - Permalink

(a) No person shall ride a bicycle upon a sidewalk within a business district. (b) No person 12 or more years of age shall ride a bicycle upon any sidewalk in any district, unless such sidewalk has been officially designated and marked as a bicycle route. (c) Bicycles shall not be operated on Lake Shore Drive or on any roadway where the operation of bicycles has been prohibited and signs have been erected indicating such prohibition. (d) Whenever a usable path for bicycles has been provided adjacent to a roadway, bicycle riders shall use such path and shall not use the roadway.

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

 

 

Permalink Reply by Michael J Blane on June 10, 2011 at 12:29pm

Wouldn't a painted, bike lane be part of the roadway? Not adjacent to it? 

And . . . how to define usable path.

 

It keeps the lawyers busy.


H3N3 said:

Nope-- I was referring to this one (see "d."):

 

http://www.chicagobikes.org/bikelaws/index.php?show=search&chap...

 

9-52-020- Riding bicycles on sidewalks and certain roadways - Permalink

(a) No person shall ride a bicycle upon a sidewalk within a business district. (b) No person 12 or more years of age shall ride a bicycle upon any sidewalk in any district, unless such sidewalk has been officially designated and marked as a bicycle route. (c) Bicycles shall not be operated on Lake Shore Drive or on any roadway where the operation of bicycles has been prohibited and signs have been erected indicating such prohibition. (d) Whenever a usable path for bicycles has been provided adjacent to a roadway, bicycle riders shall use such path and shall not use the roadway.

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

 

 

Permalink Reply by Dr. Doom on June 10, 2011 at 4:20pm
Yeah, that was my thought—"adjacent" implies a separation between the road and the path to me, so I assumed this was targeted at bike-banning North Shore communities. Though I wouldn't be shocked if a ball-breaking cop cited this law while writing a ticket...
Permalink Reply by h' Zerocats on June 10, 2011 at 4:25pm

We won't know until the first "test."

We could just as easily head that test off with a few sharrows in the driving lane, though.

Permalink Reply by h' Zerocats on June 17, 2011 at 4:24pm
So, has anyone been ticketed in Chicago for not riding in the bike lane, that we know of?

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