Motorcycles and Scooters in the Bike Lane...

Last night on my ride home I was cruising down Division when two Harley's pulled in behind and proceeded to pass a young lady and then try to pass me in the Bike Path in order to skip traffic. I weaved back and forth to keep them behind, after we got to a stop sign they snuck ahead of a slew of cars one slowed down to admonish me, I reminded him that it was not a path for Motorcycles and that they should stick to the road. He gave me grief about not stopping at stop signs to wit I replied... Your to old to be such a Douche. 

Then this morning as I was heading into the office a woman on a scooter pulled into the bike lane and thought she was fine because she was not passing me. Told her to get back in traffic and she kept coming. When I stopped at the Stop sign she rode so close to me that she could not get around and then proceeded to bump my rear wheel with her scooter telling me that she was going to call the cops and have me arrested, for what I do not know but I had two other Cyclists that witnessed and she took off pretty fast. 

WTF is up with Scooters and Motorcycles thinking it is OK to use the Bike Path?

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Permalink Reply by dan brown on October 12, 2010 at 2:56am
just my $.02 here - they just want to get around car and truck traffic as much as we do. and since
they can 'fit', these folks somehow justify it. IMnsHO almost everyone (cars and trucks included) has a double-standard when it comes to "other people" following all the laws (talking on the phone while driving, texting, rolling stops, speeding, DWI, etc.) and their own reasons/justifications. I, myself am 100% guilty on this as I blow stop signs, etc. on my bike.

DB
Permalink Reply by Jason W on October 12, 2010 at 3:04am
Of course they aren't allowed to use anything but a bike in the bike lane. Give them hell ("educate" them). I had to "educate" a taxi in the loop this morning who was tailgating me, blowing his horn, and telling me to get out of the way. I told him if I'm in the lane, it is my lane, it's legal, and he can F off.

Here's the scofflaw bike myth link again
http://washcycle.typepad.com/home/2008/07/the-myth-of-the.html
Permalink Reply by Tank-Ridin' Ryan on October 12, 2010 at 3:37am
I really hope I never see a scooter or motorcycle going down the lakefront. :)

On a serious note, they're just impatient. Bicycle lanes are great for not getting stuck behind cars, but they're there to create a division (albeit a painted line) between motorized and non-motorized traffic.

If you ride enough, you're sure to encounter ignorant behavior like this. (And if you don't, you aren't riding your bicycle enough.)

Related thread: Hey Jackhole, it's a BICYCLE lane.
Permalink Reply by Tank-Ridin' Ryan on October 12, 2010 at 3:46am
Nice link. I like this line particularly: "My point is that it's hypocritical to call your neighbor rude, because his loud stereo makes it difficult for you to focus on your backyard chainsaw sculpting."

Jason W said:
Of course they aren't allowed to use anything but a bike in the bike lane. Give them hell ("educate" them). I had to "educate" a taxi in the loop this morning who was tailgating me, blowing his horn, and telling me to get out of the way. I told him if I'm in the lane, it is my lane, it's legal, and he can F off.

Here's the scofflaw bike myth link again
http://washcycle.typepad.com/home/2008/07/the-myth-of-the.html
Permalink Reply by Davo on October 12, 2010 at 3:46am
I personally don't mind it, unless they are cutting people off.
Permalink Reply by Craig S. on October 12, 2010 at 3:49am
They just wanted a closer look at that cool Lotus frame.

There is no age limit on douchebags, look at any sporting arena when it's filled.
Permalink Reply by Michael A on October 12, 2010 at 4:27am
I saw a bike with one of those gas engine bolt on kits on Lawrence yesterday. He was in the bike lane as I passed him. I have also had a few run in with motorcyclists on Lincoln using the bike lane to pass up cars at red lights. Traffic is brutal on the streets no matter what your driving.
Permalink Reply by Mark Kenseth on October 12, 2010 at 5:16am
motorbikes and scooters will stop riding in the bike lane once they get doored. maybe then they'll move to the sidewalks.
Permalink Reply by yellow jello on October 12, 2010 at 5:45am
traffic laws and lane designations (to my understanding at least) is to provide a guideline for safety. it is no more perfect than democracy.

even tho i personally prefer they dont use the bike lane, if they are going at a safe speed and not being aggressive/dangerous, i don't mind it too much. it is no worse than riders on the LFP going 20mph by stroller pushers, ignoring blind spots and endangering themselves and others, or parents letting their kids run wild on the LFP in front of bikers.

i also believe there is no age limit for being a douche. it is like saying someone is too old to be logging eight hours a day playing starcraft 2. on that note...
Permalink Reply by Michael Perz on October 12, 2010 at 6:00am
Isn't it illegal to operate any motorized vehicle in the bicycle lane?
Permalink Reply by Jason W on October 12, 2010 at 6:08am


Michael Perz said:
Isn't it illegal to operate any motorized vehicle in the bicycle lane?

http://www.chicagobikes.org/bikelaws/index.php?show=search&term...
Permalink Reply by Gecko on July 16, 2014 at 6:30am

I've had this happen twice in the last week while driving to work in the morning (8:15am or so).  A motorcyclist (could be the same guy both times) has passed me in the bike lane on Augusta just west of Milwaukee near Ashland.  Today he got within inches of me and my windows were down so I shouted "really, dude?" and raised my hands to indicate "WTF?".  He stopped for a sec and looked at me like he was going to say something and then I shouted "bike lanes - not motorcycle lanes" as he sped away, continuing down the bike lane.  Next time it happens I'm thinking of taking a pic of him and his license plate in the bike lane, but I'm not sure what to do with the info after that.  What good is a picture of a traffic infraction without context?

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