Think of this as a Missed Connection.

You blew the red light east bound on Lawrence at Damen at 5:26 pm this evening.

 

There was enough time for the biker in front of me to make it half way into the intersection, northbound on Damen, before you came whizzing past my front wheel.

 

I yelled "You're an idiot!" at your big haired chick, self, and you looked back at me. I meant it!

 

I woulda testified for any of the cars, that managed to not kill you, if they had.

 

Keep riding like a tard!

love,

gabe

 

Witness bad behavior during your commute? Feel free to post. Maybe that lovely human can read it and think they are famous. Maybe you can also inspire the whole generation of kids to shower but we can start with small things.

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Permalink Reply by Peter G. on June 28, 2013 at 6:07pm

You: a tall, ponytailed, 26ish man weaving helmetless, lightless at about 11:15 PM northbound on Clark through Andersonville riding a dark bike and wearing dark gray. The only thing about you that reflected light were your headphones. I was DDing for a friend, taking a leisurely drive around my bike commute. A lot of us may run stop signs now and again, but it takes some real--guts? everclear?--to cross the stopped car on the left while there was oncoming traffic, and then give a "hey--WTF?" gesture. You took a sharp right on Bryn Mawr, only to pull a Ueee to defacto run the light. There was no cross-traffic there, so why stop at the Ashland/Clark intersection? Well, because there was a garbage truck coming from Ashland onto Clark who had no reason to expect a merging, unlit cyclist. A lot of people would think, "Oh, a garbage truck coming at this time of night. I better slow down. Maybe I shouldn't have run that light." But you leaned to the left. Good idea! Take the lane! Then, theatrically, you veered right after the truck passed you in a justifiable panic. Then, you doored yourself. You doored yourself. You steered into a parked car, and then gave the car the finger. You are why people hate cyclists. 

Permalink Reply by Andrew on July 1, 2013 at 9:35am

Cadillac convertible headed south on Central Park just north of 290 around 11:10 AM---I wish you'd continued south rather than getting on the freeway.  Your stereo's delightful James Brown jams (JBs era) were making a lovely ride on a lovely day even lovelier, and I would have been happy for it to have continued a few more blocks.

Permalink Reply by Julia 3.5/7.5 mi on July 2, 2013 at 10:57am

To the officer who nearly hit me, then tried to detain me riding on Harrison this morning: your refusal to give your badge number, your name, or call another officer to the scene is incredibly shady. Holding on to my handlebars to detain me without cause is even worse, so Of COURSE I started screaming when you physically tried to pull my bike away from me. I hope neither I nor any other law-abiding citizen ever encounter you again. You're a disgrace to your fellow officers.

(and the while the 911-responding officer was helpful, I have a feeling that no report or discipline measure will come of this... ugh)

Permalink Reply by Lisa Curcio on July 2, 2013 at 11:11am

Julia, an officer in uniform?  And he was not wearing his star?  Please try to follow up on the report and the complaint.

Permalink Reply by yai danche on July 2, 2013 at 11:37am

julia, i'm guessing he didn't give you a reason to detain you either.  this sounds extra shady. like he tried to deflect his fault for your near collision onto you.  

Permalink Reply by Juan Primo on July 2, 2013 at 11:39am

Just wow.

Permalink Reply by Juan Primo on July 2, 2013 at 11:43am

To the older lady blindly backing out of the alley and into the bike lane.  To this minute, you had no idea how close you were to hitting that cyclist in the lane.  To the cyclist: dude, you are one composed easy going guy.  You saw what was happening and you had the presence of mind to look behind you and then swing out into the left lane to avoid Mrs. Clueless.  And when you passed her, you didn't even give her the finger, yell are her, or give her a harsh look.

Permalink Reply by Julia 3.5/7.5 mi on July 2, 2013 at 1:57pm
Lisa, he was in casual dress but told me he was an officer. Apparently he actually was (I had serious doubts initially) but wouldn't give me his badge # or call another officer to the scene when I asked. After about 2 minutes I called 911 and a completely separate officer (and supervisor) responded. I'll follow up on as much as I can - my brother is an officer and I'd like to make sure this guy doesn't harass other cyclists or just skate on dangerous and improper behavior.
Permalink Reply by Cheryl on July 3, 2013 at 2:42pm

Hey, you in the Porsche parked solidly in the westbound Kinzie bike lane at Clinton around 6 pm tonight: ignoring the 3-4 cyclists who politely told you that you are parked in a bike lane does not make you cool or right. It makes you a douchebag in an illegally parked Porsche. Hopefully Chicago's finest arrived in time to set you straight on that point. 

Permalink Reply by tim elliott on July 6, 2013 at 8:41am

I look, assess and roll through all intersections whenever possible, but I don't live in the big city either. ;-)

Permalink Reply by Tim S on July 8, 2013 at 4:24am

To the Blue Diamond Taxi driver (cab 6442) that I witnessed almost kill a man on Sunday at 12:30 PM WTH?!? 

I was SB on the LFT riding at a okay pace with a Lycra clad fella who was on point as we approached the crossing where Montrose and the LFT intersect we slowed a bit, thank goodness, before crossing. I watched from a safer distance as I could see it unfolding. You got tired of waiting for pedestrians and bikes crossing there and when a few well meaning pedestrians who did not understand the rules of the road waved you across not realizing they have the right of way. You hit the gas, my buddy hit his brakes, a number of onlookers gasped, it was a near a miss as I have seen in years. Super lucky on all accounts. 

I followed you to get your cab number and perhaps say hello. When you rolled down your window a simple "sorry they waved me across" would have done much to calm my simmering anger after I asked if you realized you almost killed a man. No you had to be combative and showed that you do not fully comprehend the rules of the road which is terrifying. You of all people should know that there is no stop or yield for the LFT as it is your job to know the city. Arguing that some people waved you through is the worst excuse you could have ever given along with the fact you told me that traffic, where there is no signal/sign, should have stopped for you. Don't yell at me when you are called out, accept your failure, learn, and move on.

I called 311 and the cab company, I hope you get reprimanded. 

Permalink Reply by dan brown on July 8, 2013 at 4:50am
thanks for following up. those hacks should all we well trained and something broke down in the process (well do-h) in this case. very scary and sad. I was at Montrose Saturday and the tempers were really
high and folks were edgy as all those music fest goers were scrambling to find parking (where was none) and they are basically trapped there. parking in the (normally "boat owners only") was going for $100.
unreal. glad you are both OK. keep us posted on the results.

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