Illegal to turn left or right in front of bike! Police Training Video offers great info for all road users

In the comment section after the "War on Cars" article in the Trib someone mentioned this video: http://www.chicagobikes.org/video/index.php?loadVideo=police_traini...

It is a training video for police about how to enforce laws for motorists and cyclists.

It is extremely informative. Did you know, for example, that is illegal for a car to make a right or left turn in in front of a cyclist--just like the law for CTA buses? I sure didn't!

It makes me wonder why this information isn't more widely available to all road users. Was this information included when IL citizens took driver's ED? I learned to drive in CT so I wouldn't know. Are people ignorant of the laws or do they chose not to follow them?

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Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on March 2, 2012 at 11:23am

I've collaborated with Steve Vance on a letter to Mayor Emanuel, CDOT Commissioner Klein and Police Superintendent McCarthy asking for a coordinated education and enforcement effort to accompany the coming bike network improvements.

Anyone who would like to read the letter and sign it should look for me (wandering or at the Chicago Cycling Club table) or Steve Vance and John Greenfield (at the Grid Chicago table) tomorrow at the Bike Swap. We will have copies and signature pages there.

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Permalink Reply by Nick Butterfield on March 2, 2012 at 10:25pm

i'm all for this being an enforced law, if for no other reason than that i was recently hit by a cab turning right (without signaling, or slowing down) in front of not just me, but also a bus. it was crazy illegal. and hurt.