abc7 Special Segment: Riding on the Edge "It's a complete ego thing"
http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news/special_segments&...
(Link safe for work. Includes video)
For those who cannot click link:
By Eric Horng
October 31, 2010 (CHICAGO) (WLS) -- Bicyclists on the streets of Chicago face many dangers, but they may put
themselves in that position and frequently frustrate others on the
road.
By law, bicyclists have to obey the same traffic lights and signs guiding drivers. In fact, the Secretary of State's office distributes
out a pamphlet spelling it all out. But many bicyclists in Chicago
follow their own rules.
In downtown Chicago during the afternoon rush, the lights and signs at several high-traffic
intersection that prevent chaos are ignored by bicyclist, after
bicyclist, after bicyclist.
"They kind of do what they want," one person said.
"It almost seems like they view themselves as above the law," said another.
Over the course of two days, ABC7 witnessed dozens of bicycle traffic
violations, from riders blowing through stop signs to bicyclists
ignoring red lights and snaking across traffic.
"They will cut in front of you. They will especially never stop at a stop sign," motorist Audrey Middleton said.
Bicyclists could also be seen riding in oncoming lanes, going the wrong
way down one-way streets, as well as riding on busy sidewalks and
failing to stop for emergency vehicles. Some also took up entire lanes
of traffic, all without signaling.
Pedestrian Carole Romano indicated she rarely saw bicyclists giving the appropriate hand signals.
"Oh, no, no," she said.
In some cases, it's not that bike riders won't stop. Sometimes, they
can't. Growing in popularity are fixed-gear bikes, which have no brakes.
The fact that they are illegal is part of the allure.
"It's a complete ego thing," one rider said.
Some bike riders speaking with ABC7 seemed less than concerned.
"I don't mean to break any laws or anything like that. That's just the way I ride my bike," bicyclist Marcos Orta said.
"We gotta get from point A to point B, and sometimes, no, we don't obey
the law because we're trying to get from point A to point B," rider
Bertram Davis said.
Chicago has long touted itself as bicycle-friendly, and Mayor Daley's administration has added miles of
bike lanes and expanded city bike programs. However, as the number of
bicyclists have grown, so have the number of accidents: from less than
1,200 in 2003 to more than 1,700 in 2008, according to the Illinois
Dept. of Transportation. That's a nearly 50-percent increase.
A leading bicycle advocacy group says bike riders are not to blame.
"Education and enforcement should be focused on where it can have the
greatest impact for everyone's safety, and that is obviously more
focused on motorists," said Ethan Spotts, Active Transportation Alliance
spokesman.
But not every bicyclist agrees.
"It's about bicyclists having equal rights but not special rights," Philip Martin said.
Martin is a former board member of the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation. He
says out-of-control behavior threatens the progress the bike community
has made.
"Cyclists need to become more responsible for themselves. Otherwise, we risk losing the support that we need to expand our programs," Martin said.
Bike riders can be ticketed just like drivers, but Chicago police and the Cook County Circuit Court
Clerk's Office could not determine for ABC7 Chicago, based on their
records, how many bicyclists have been ticketed in recent years.
In fact, ABC7 is told by the circuit clerk's office that there isn't a
separate bicycle ticket form and the standard ticket doesn't have a
section or category for bicyclists.
http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news/special_segments&id=7757396
Views: 170
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by mike w. on
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Yup. My front brake's on the right as well... but then i have never thrown myself over the bars jamming the front brake... and i can't think of anyone i know who has done.
i can think of a couple of other signals i've used over the years as well...
Tank-Ridin' Ryan said:Haha to the 'alternate' right turn signal. But what if you have your brakes switched, ie. rear brake on the left?
Cameron Puetz said:
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Permalink Reply by Dan Korn on
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Cricket said:It would have been a more interesting piece if they had videotaped motorists (who violate more traffic laws than cyclists do) and gotten responses from the people whose lives are truly endangered by said motorists.
Dan Korn: Are you going to revise the piece to make it more accurate? I love it when you change articles, using motorist for cyclist and cyclist for motorist. Pretty please?
Okay, since you asked:
October 31, 2010 (CHICAGO) (CCM) -- Drivers on the streets of Chicago face many dangers, but they may put themselves in that position and frequently frustrate others on the road.
By law, drivers have to obey traffic lights and signs. In fact, the Secretary of State's office distributes a pamphlet spelling it all out. But many drivers in Chicago follow their own rules.
In downtown Chicago during the afternoon rush, the lights and signs at several high-traffic intersections that prevent chaos are ignored by driver, after driver, after driver.
"They kind of do what they want," one person said.
"It almost seems like they view themselves as above the law," said another.
Over the course of two days, ABC7 witnessed dozens of motorist traffic violations, from blowing through stop signs to rampant speeding.
"They will cut in front of you. They will almost never completely stop at a stop sign," cyclist Audrey Middleton said.
Motorists could also be seen driving in oncoming lanes, texting, as well as driving in bike lanes and failing to stop for emergency vehicles. Some also failed to give enough space to cyclists and cut them off, all without signaling.
Cyclist Carole Romano indicated she rarely saw motorists using the appropriate turn signals.
"Oh, no, no," she said.
In some cases, it's not that car drivers don't see other road users. Sometimes, they can't. Growing in popularity are cell phones without "hands free" devices. The fact that they are illegal is part of the allure.
"It's a complete ego thing," one rider said.
Some drivers speaking with ABC7 seemed less than concerned.
"I don't mean to break any laws or anything like that. That's just the way I drive my car," motorist Marcos Orta said.
"We gotta get from point A to point B, and sometimes, no, we don't obey the law because we're trying to get from point A to point B," driver Bertram Davis said.
Chicago has long touted itself as car-friendly, and Mayor Daley's administration has added miles of roads and expanded city parking programs. However, as the number of drivers have grown, so have the number of accidents: Currently, over fifty pedestrians are killed by cars within the City of Chicago each year. That's about one fatality a week.
A leading driver advocacy group says car drivers are not to blame.
"Sure, cars kill a lot of people, but what about scofflaw cyclists and pedestrians? If they weren't getting in our way, then we wouldn't be running them down," said Joe Q. Driver, American Automobile Association spokesman.
But not every driver agrees.
"It's about motorists having equal rights but not special rights," Philip Martin said.
Martin is a former board member of the Chicagoland Automobile Association. He says out-of-control behavior threatens the progress the driving community has made.
"Motorists need to become more responsible for themselves. Otherwise, we risk losing the support that we need to expand our programs," Martin said.
Bike riders and pedestrians can be ticketed just like drivers, but Chicago police and the Cook County Circuit Court Clerk's Office could not determine for ABC7 Chicago, based on their records, how many bicyclists and pedestrians have been ticketed in recent years.
In fact, ABC7 is told by the circuit clerk's office that there isn't a separate bicycle ticket form and the standard ticket doesn't have a section or category for bicyclists, because ticketing cyclists and pedestrians is a waste of time when cars are doing all the real damage.
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Permalink Reply by Michael Perz on
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Left hand signaling is also necessary for motorcycles which have their throttle and front brake controls on the right.
Mark said:The "left-armed" way of signalling a right turn is a throwback to when it was used by drivers in cars with no electric turn signals, and they could only use their left arm out the window. I don't think it is very recognized now. I think it is more natural just to point with the arm that is the direction you are turning.
Liz said:the "correct way" to signal right is to put your left arm up with a right turn signal. The real world actually used way is to point with your right arm.
I usually signal right turns mostly to make cyclists behind me aware that I'm turning and not to pass on my right. I'm constantly amazed at the number of people who will zoom by on my right when there is very little space. Yesterday I had 2 different cyclists (one in the morning and one at night) nearly take out my front tire after passing me on the right and merging back in front of me prior to really being clear. But I also have cars who can't wait to pass and pass too closely only to stop at a red light 50 ft. ahead, and dozens of pedestrians with a red light who see me coming, only to casually walk out in front of me when I have the green. At least I don't have to overhear loud cell phone conversations or spend time squeezed at the front of the bus because the teens in the middle wont allow others through to the empty back.
There are plenty of rude and idiotic cyclists, motorists, transit riders and pedestrians in chicago. It doesn't matter how you get where you are going. Jerks are jerks regardless of how they transport themselves.
Davo said:I try my best to signal when I am turning left but I don't understand the point of signaling to turn right, especially if i am the furthest right on the road.
Also what is the "correct" way to signal that you are turning right? Is it the way that cars without signals are supposed to use (using left arm and making a right angle with the hand up in the air)? Or are you supposed to use your right arm and point what your intentions are? I would think that most cars would think that the first way just looks like you're flipping them off as you ride away.
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Permalink Reply by Active Transportation Alliance on
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Back to the original discussion, Active Trans would like to go "on record" about how we were presented in the "news story."
Obviously, there is a lot wrong with the story and we wanted to officially state that our position is not that "bicyclists are not at fault" as the reporter says.
We believe that all users of the road should follow the laws and be accountable for their actions and choices.
If enforcers choose to start ticketing bicyclists in a big way, we believe that enforcement efforts should focus on the road users that are greatest in number and would have the greatest impact on overall safety (e.g. motorists).
We emailed the reporter to express our position and disappointment about how polarizing the story is. It's stories like this that hurt our cause more than the reckless bicyclists themselves.
Thanks much,
Ethan Spotts, Marketing & Communications Director, Active Trans
PS: be safe and follow the rules of the road when bicycling, Chainlinkers!
PPS: Active Trans supported the law allowing bicyclists to signal by pointing in addition to the traditional manner...signaling is a safe choice no matter which way you do it!
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Permalink Reply by Mike Zumwalt on
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Rick norris said:Ryan L, your right there are some people that will never change their view, but I think through education, on both sides, there will be more and more people that can learn and see another point of view.
As far as I know hand signals are the same for cars and bikes.
As far as people not knowing hand signals, then I think George Carlin was right we are all just getting stoopider, and maybe we should ALL be forced to walk everyplace, while wearing helmets and padded clothing.
But they need to answer these questions to be able to DRIVE, it's on the test.
And Dan's story is win for this thread.
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Permalink Reply by Rick norris on
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Mike Zumwalt said:
Rick norris said: BLOCKQUOTE>
But they need to answer these questions to be able to DRIVE, it's on the test.
And Dan's story is win for this thread.
Yeah...I liked Dans story alot....
As far as something being on a test all someone has to do is read a rules of the road book an hour before taking the test, then forget everything. And it seems many do...
And I'm sure by now there is something on the test about not using cell phones and such, but people still do it.
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