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Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on June 17, 2011 at 7:55am

I do not doubt that as all the new bike lanes get put in these next few months/years this kind of backlash legislation might be pushed down our own throats here in Chicago if we are not careful and on our guard.  There is a lot of anger against the bike lanes in NYC and many non-cyclists see them as a threat to auto driving "space" and want them removed.  When they see cyclists who aren't even USING the lanes after the road was narrowed and auto lanes lost to make room for them it is understandable that non-riders might get upset and call for such laws.

 

Hopefully it won't happen here but it is something we should be on the lookout for and keep from happening in Chicago.  

 

I was doubtful about the usefulness of protected bike lanes but after riding the Kinzie experiment I have to admit that they can be a boon in some places and worth the risk of the kind of backlash anti-riding bikelane-only laws we are talking about in NYC being introduced here.    

 

Kinzie was, for the most part, a 2-lane road with a few bulges here and there that made no sense and actually hurt traffic flow as the 4-lane sections had to merge back into 2-lanes repeatedly past pinch points.  Keeping it 2-lane not only will help flow in the end but keeps us safe from the pinch points -especially over the bridge and the underpasses.  

 

Education will be the key to keep the auto drivers from feeling they are being raided for their driving lanes so they don't feel the need to push back and expect something in "return" like a law requiring us to stay in our own special lane.  This would be bad.  And it is something we all need to keep an eye on. 

Robert said:

Well, as I've moved, begrudgingly, from my live work space on western to jefferson park area, my ride has multiplied times 7.... so, I was doing some searching after seeing this to find out if I'd get hassled by police for not being in a bike lane. I've heard they are cracking down or are soon to be cracking down on cyclists in Chicago.

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Permalink Reply by David Barish on June 17, 2011 at 8:04am

Well, waddaya know.  Chicago has ordinances regarding bicycles. They can be found at:

 

http://www.amlegal.com/nxt/gateway.dll/Illinois/chicago_il/municipa...

 

One of the Sections reads:

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

(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

 

I really don't think (d) applies. In our example the bike lane is still part of the roadway. However, I could see law enforcement interpreting this ordinance to require us to use the bike lanes.  I know of no such paths in the city where there is literally a path adjacent to the roadway other than perhaps the lake front path. Bikes are already prohibited from LSD. The only example I can think of is a stretch in Highwood adjacent to Sheridan Rd or Green Bay. I don't recall which.  There is a bike path just south of Old Elm Rd.   Most riders still use the road and if Highwood had such an ordinance this would be illegal.

 

Even if Chicago's  Finest interpret the law differently from me you would not have to use the lane when its not ridable.  No need to plow into signs, cars and potholes.  Casey's actions are humorous but not a template for good decision making.  However, what happens if there are not obstructions but the lane is simply a mess as is the case with many of the Evanston bike lanes?  Hmm.  I'd still take my chances and ride outside the lines.

 

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Permalink Reply by Robert on June 17, 2011 at 8:33am

I agree, as we grow in numbers, there will be the officer that has a chip on his shoulder towards cyclists, so, it's better to be safe than sorry. my lawyer buddy has made a card for me to carry in my pocket so I can refer to the law - it's both helped and hurt certain situations -  but knowing your rights and knowing the wrongs is always important.

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Permalink Reply by Andrew on October 24, 2012 at 5:32am

I couldn't readily find the thread where this video was first posted, so whatever.

The software company my wife works for is currently in the midst of their annual user conference; yesterday their keynote speaker was Casey Neistat.  While his presentation wasn't in any way cycling specific, this video was one of several that was shown.

My wife has a really low tolerance for the motivational/inspirational speakers that are often chosen for such duties, but related that his presentation was outstanding and would have been enjoyable even without prior awareness of him and this video.

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Permalink Reply by JeffB on October 24, 2012 at 9:02am

I can see this becoming an issue here as the protected lanes become more widespread and if they are not maintained properly to clear glass, debris and snow.  If anyone does get ticketed like this, be sure to take photos of any negative lane conditions that cause you to leave the bike lane and fight your ticket.  There will be hassles.  Growing pains, I guess

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Permalink Reply by Sarah D. on October 24, 2012 at 9:14am

I had a run-in with a driver yesterday on Lincoln Ave. in Lakeview who screamed from her black Honda SUV that I should not have been in front of her on the road (justifying why she nearly clipped me as I signaled, pulled into the street and avoided a opening car door). She said I can't just signal and come into traffic, that I should have stopped or slowed down. Which is wrong - if I have nowhere to ride safely, I am taking the lane. She would have been at fault had she hit me from behind, I told her, but I think SO much more education needs to happen - she was absolutely off her nut. As JeffB said above, there will be hassles. Car drivers have no idea why there's a bike in "their" area - but they need to be taught that we're legally allowed there and they need to back off - we wouldn't ride there unless we had to. And we'll go back to the lane when we safely can. 

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