Chicagoist: I Want to Ride My Bicycle, I Want to Ride My Bike

guest

Wed, 29 Aug 2007 19:49:20 -0600

what is this whole "nuttier and tougher" bit you keep bringing up? are you that retarded that you can't say anything else.i doubt you're tough or nutty.you're a stupid little bitch!

guest

Wed, 29 Aug 2007 19:06:14 -0600

Uh, 55, no one said anything about guns. Only more potent weapons. I think you assume too much, or have a small imagination to go with your funny cockiness. Watch out, dickhead. The next person you piss off with your bike may be nuttier or "tougher" than you.

guest

Wed, 29 Aug 2007 09:24:42 -0600

you're a fucking tool #54. you're threatening to shoot some cyclist that you think wronged you.if you need a gun to handle your business,especially on the northside,you're just a little bitch. i'd knock your ass out,take your gun,and shoot you in the balls.

guest

Wed, 29 Aug 2007 08:28:33 -0600

And 52/53: You would be amazed how many people carry weapons more potent than a ulock, buddy. Even on the North Side. Be careful out there. And hope you never meet the real nuts. Reckless, arrogant bikers = fractured skull. Or worse. Trust me on this one.

guest

Wed, 29 Aug 2007 08:17:03 -0600

and I paid $350 for my back wheel. Busted spokes=missing teeth

guest

Tue, 28 Aug 2007 08:38:08 -0600

Oh please tough guy.... I'd change your mind about kicking my ass in about one second after jacking you in the face with a ulock.Trust me....I've checked plenty of people,a few larger and tougher than myself,with a quick jab to the forehead. I love how people,such as #51,think that cyclists are all a bunch of pushovers.Be very careful who's back tire you decide to kick because it may cost you a trip to the hospital.....I hope.

guest

Mon, 27 Aug 2007 15:54:53 -0600

49: Ride or Die? Sounds like some version of a blood oath little boys take. What's next? The He-Man motto? And, by the way, you do that shit in front of me--I'm a pedestrian, not a driver--and you will feel my foot kicking your fucking tire in the hopes of making you take a nasty spill. Be careful, cowboy. There are a lot of people out there nuttier and tougher than you are, and who will have no problem laughing at you as you fall, or kicking your ass if you decide to go that route.

guest

Mon, 27 Aug 2007 14:54:19 -0600

Oh...and to the people discussing whether or not that pic was of Chicago, If you weren't sure that was NY from looking at the picture and actually confused it with Chicago ,please get the fuck out of my city.

guest

Mon, 27 Aug 2007 14:50:14 -0600

You all sound like a bunch of homo's...kind of like the folks on ChiFG.I ride on the sidewalks,blow lights,go full speed through packs of pedestrians,ride the wrong way down one-ways,ride drunk,split lanes,and have a fucking blast doing it. RIDE OR DIE!!

Navin

Tue, 21 Aug 2007 12:42:43 -0600

Three feet isn't as big as you think it is. There's all kinds of room. People in cars tend not to know where their car ends, though, so they ride one line or the other. True, I've nearly been clipped by many cars who have several feet of room until the center line. You're right three feet isn't much, it's just three of my sneakers placed end to end, think about it folks. I'd just be happy to see more (very clearly marked) bike lanes period.

guest

Tue, 21 Aug 2007 12:22:20 -0600

Three feet isn't as big as you think it is. There's all kinds of room. People in cars tend not to know where their car ends, though, so they ride one line or the other. You're right, though, that it's not really enforceable. I can see all these cops sitting on Milwaukee, waiting for a car and a bike to pass at the same time, trying to measure seaparation by sight ... kind of funny.

guest

Tue, 21 Aug 2007 11:25:10 -0600

As someone who both drives and cycles in the city, I'm confident that this is unenforceable - there isn't three extra feet of space in many streets with bike lines.

guest

Tue, 21 Aug 2007 09:07:55 -0600

I've had just the opposite experience with the cabbies, who for the most part stay clear of me as long as I'm not doing something stupid or insane. Their time behind the wheel is money for them, and they don't want the hassle and delay of an accident any more than I do. There's a certain amount of game theory in traffic maneuvering, in that you come to expect everyone to do whatever they think benefits them. With the cabbies, that leads to logical assumptions of where they're going to go, as their actions are predictable. Everybody else (especially people in SUVs, it seems, or people with Wisconsin plates) acts in strange and random ways. They don't have the experience of the cabbies, they don't know exactly what they should do in certain situations, so they do whatever upredictable, random thing comes to mind. The key is predicting the other guy's move, and in that respect I'd rather ride with a pack of cabbies than a single SUV any day of the week.

Scott the Jerseyist

Tue, 21 Aug 2007 08:18:40 -0600

It's funny the cabbies here seem just as dangerous as the ones in NY, yet in a much more oblivious way. I've only had a few odd moments where I've said "That fool on the bike is going to get himself killed!" I just wonder how I'm going to leave that much room for them with the oncoming traffic, double parked cars, dudes who drive in the bike-lane, streetscape improvement, etc. Great, now when asked what they've done about traffic congestion the state can continue to neglect the CTA and say "See, we passed something."

vit

Tue, 21 Aug 2007 08:09:37 -0600

Okay, I ride a bicycle, a scooter (not in the bike lanes, thank you), I walk, and sometimes I rent a car, and have been annoyed with people who engage in any and all of these forms of transportation. C'mon.

flagtothefloor

Tue, 21 Aug 2007 00:51:31 -0600

Medicabs are as bad as or worse than CTA buses.

guest

Mon, 20 Aug 2007 20:34:03 -0600

Meanwhile, this was noticed but got glossed over ... Why did Chicagoist use a photo from New York? Couldn't they find a picture of somebody on a bike in Chicago? Couldn't they just walk outside and snap one?

Navin

Mon, 20 Aug 2007 18:43:23 -0600

Something tells me that Navin would have a problem with the second statement, even though it's essentially identical to his own... It wouldn't make any sense because while driving I've almost never had that kind of a situation while jaywalkers on North Ave. is a daily experience. For what it's worth, I counted *four* different bicyclists on the sidewalk on Belmont near Halsted on Saturday afternoon during a 15-minute span, one of whom nearly barreled over a small child in a stroller (and then had the temerity to sneer at the child's mom, as if it were her fault he was breaking the law!) It's a much bigger problem than the "bikes can do no wrong" folks will admit... Well your neighborhood explains that, I've seen that up there as well. Yuppies with accessory bikes, because, well you're just supposed to have a mountain bike or something right? Why don't you tell them the get the hell off the sidewalk instead of letting it fuel your irrational hatred of biking? Or if it's such a scourge, contact your alderman.

Matt Stratton

Mon, 20 Aug 2007 18:16:18 -0600

Also, please note that I said "every cyclist I know" - I do not know every cyclist, so I'm certainly not trying to claim to speak for all bike riders.

Matt Stratton

Mon, 20 Aug 2007 18:11:45 -0600

I don't know where "Oh, no, not me, and not any other bike rider ever" comes from, #37. Every cyclist I know gets just as mad as you do by cyclists who break traffic laws - because it gives fodder for exactly what you're talking about. I want to be treated like regular traffic. I want to be safe when I ride. And every jerkwad who blows red lights on his bike compromises my ability to do that. I would love to see the police enforce traffic laws for cyclists, I honestly would. I probably get more upset seeing bikers blow lights than you do, because it has a direct impact on my safety - every time one of them does it, it might make a driver angry enough to want to take it out on me, no matter how safely I ride. So how do you propose this gets resolved? Ranting about it on Chicagoist?

guest

Mon, 20 Aug 2007 18:01:49 -0600

Bicyclists will be welcome on the street and treated as a legitimate vehicle when they start obeying the same laws as everyone else. Not just the ones that are convenient to help them keep going, but all of them -- even the ones that make them have to do things like, say, stop and wait every now and then (like a stop sign, perhaps?) Despite the, "Oh, no, not me, and not any other bike rider ever" stance routinely thrown out in regard to cars being the bad guys, I actually see a majority of cyclists blatantly disregarding rules most of the time that cars are required to follow on my day-to-day trips. And that has nothing to do with whether they're being oblivious or not paying attention -- because they're on a bike, they act like they're not really a legitimate vehicle. Which is why automobile drivers feel the same way..

guest

Mon, 20 Aug 2007 17:36:57 -0600

How can I hide registered users' posts?

guest

Mon, 20 Aug 2007 17:36:51 -0600

Here's an idea. Take it metaphorically, as it's obviously going to be impossible and isn't feasible. But every driver/cyclist should ride/drive a mile in the other person's shoes. As a driver, I always thought I was careful about watching other cars/motorcycles/bicycles/pedestrians, but it wasn't until I started riding a motorcycle that I actually understood what it's like to put your life in the hands of other people's driving skills.

Matt Stratton

Mon, 20 Aug 2007 17:01:36 -0600

The ultimate problem is that everyone has an effin' entitlement attitude, and anyone who gets in their way (on a bike, in a car, etc) is in the wrong. It's a darn shame that in this country bikes are seen as toys and not proper transportation. Until that changes, we will continue to see people thinking that bikes belong on bike paths, sidewalks, and no where near the streets. Of course, what would help is if we all tried to remember that in the entire history of the Internet, nobody has ever said "Wow, you're right. I didn't think of it that way. I have changed my opinion on this subject due to what you said."

aaa

Mon, 20 Aug 2007 16:58:12 -0600

Wow, so much anger and rage on the internet. :( First off: congrats to CBF and CDOT for pushing and passing this legislation -- helps to elevate the status of bicycles as vehicles on the road. As a cyclist, as a motorist, as a motorcyclist -- I plead that everyone just continue to be courteous people. Don't turn into Mr. Wheeler, aka Road Rage Goofy (you remember Motor Maina, right?). Why is it that people's attitudes change when on the road? I love the AAA commercials kindly reminding you that road rage accomplishes nothing.

Matt Stratton

Mon, 20 Aug 2007 16:53:49 -0600

Ahem. I am a cyclist. I hate cyclists who break traffic laws. I hate cyclists who ride the wrong way up a one-way street. I hate cyclists who ride on the sidewalk. How many times do we have to go round and round with these generalities? I don't think there's a single bike advocate commenting here who will claim that every cyclist is perfect. But why should I, a law-abiding, aware cyclist be punished because of some douchebag cyclists? Should all drivers be consider to be driving drunk while talking on a cell phone and yelling at their kids in the backseat? No, they shouldn't. Just because some cyclists break the law does not mean that all cyclists should be punished.

guest

Mon, 20 Aug 2007 16:43:51 -0600

"Like almost all cyclists I've never hit (or nearly hit) a legally crossing pedestrian and I don't ride on the sidewalk. The only pedestrians I've almost hit have been the ones playing frogger by trying to cross the street illegally or those that just kind of obliviously drift out into the street. Luckily for them I've managed to swerve around them in time, without hurting them or causing me to be hit by a car." ........... "Like almost all drivers I've never hit (or nearly hit) a legally crossing bicyclist and I don't drive in bike lanes. The only bicyclists I've almost hit have been the ones swerving around suddengly in front of me and blowing stop signs and traffic signals, or those that just kind of obliviously drift out into my vehicle. Luckily for them, I've managed to swerve around them in time, without hurting them or causing me to get into an accident." Something tells me that Navin would have a problem with the second statement, even though it's essentially identical to his own... For what it's worth, I counted *four* different bicyclists on the sidewalk on Belmont near Halsted on Saturday afternoon during a 15-minute span, one of whom nearly barreled over a small child in a stroller (and then had the temerity to sneer at the child's mom, as if it were her fault he was breaking the law!) It's a much bigger problem than the "bikes can do no wrong" folks will admit...

Spook

Mon, 20 Aug 2007 16:34:50 -0600

"How many people have perished after being brutally run down by cyclists this year?" Actually it happens ALOT! Cyclists kill car drivers all the time! Finally a group of car activists are fighting back! On the site where a cyclist kills are car driver, car activist take a a junker car, paint it stark white and afix it to the site where the car driver was killed by the cyclist. Ghost cars are silent memorials for the fallen. You might have noticed these memorials as they are becoming more and more commonplace as car activist are finally organizing and standing up for their rights! Hummmmm did I get that right? Maybe I need to reverse it?

marty

Mon, 20 Aug 2007 16:23:53 -0600

Jay (#5) had it right; of course no driver or cop is going to give a Hershey squirt about enforcing this law. Bikers probably won't be any safer right away. What this law is all about is being able to go to the judge with a lawsuit in hand and using it to sue the hell out of the driver for getting within 3 feet, etc. and breaking the law. Then, with all the settlement money, maybe the injured bicyclist can run over other bikers with a car of his own.

guest

Mon, 20 Aug 2007 16:20:58 -0600

It is New York. Click on the photo, and you'll see from the enlargement that the cabs have NY plates.

guest

Mon, 20 Aug 2007 16:19:55 -0600

I'm with 25 ... I've been wondering the exact thing. I can't place the location in Chicago, though the little tent ad on top of the cabs look like Chicago cabs. The street looks more like Broadway in NYC than anuplace I know around here.

Navin

Mon, 20 Aug 2007 16:15:24 -0600

By the way, I think there should be bike-only lanes, and, in general, WAY more support of bikers in this city. I just want them to obey traffic laws. You want respect? Give it, then. And don't look at me like I'm some asshole when I shout at you because you almost hit me as you blew that stop sign. I'm glad to hear that. As for the rest, you won't be shouting at me because like most cyclists you'll never be in that situation with me. #24 Why would it be my fault? Like almost all cyclists I've never hit (or nearly hit) a legally crossing pedestrian and I don't ride on the sidewalk. The only pedestrians I've almost hit have been the ones playing frogger by trying to cross the street illegally or those that just kind of obliviously drift out into the street. Luckily for them I've managed to swerve around them in time, without hurting them or causing me to be hit by a car. BTW 24 I'm a pedestrian and a driver too so that sort of kills your point. Even so this argument is totally ridiculous. Can you imagine people complaining about measures to increase safety for drivers because there are drivers that don't follow the letter of the law?

guest

Mon, 20 Aug 2007 16:04:36 -0600

Isn't that a picture of New York?

guest

Mon, 20 Aug 2007 15:47:04 -0600

See, Navin's post is the exact type of disingenous b.s. from bicyclists that I'm talking about. It's never, EVER their fault. #20, you need to read up on Illinois statute regarding pedestrians.

guest

Mon, 20 Aug 2007 15:34:37 -0600

Navin: Seems you are a lucky person. I walk probably 75% of the time, the rest being CTA. I never jaywalk (really, I don't--even when the street is clear), and I am very aware of my surroundings, to the point where I almost have eyes in the back of my head. No, I've never been injured by a bike, but I am sure the odds will catch up with me, either through vehicles or bikes--nearly everday I have to deal with both sets of assholes disobeying traffic laws and not giving too shits about pedestrians. If I were a violent person looking for a free vacation in County, I would start throwing bricks at the back tires of bikers. Some of them deserve it. By the way, I think there should be bike-only lanes, and, in general, WAY more support of bikers in this city. I just want them to obey traffic laws. You want respect? Give it, then. And don't look at me like I'm some asshole when I shout at you because you almost hit me as you blew that stop sign.

guest

Mon, 20 Aug 2007 15:26:57 -0600

"Basically, if you make a mistake driving on a congested city street and a bicyclist dies, the state can charge you with negligent homicide and send you to jail for up to a year." Good. The same standard should apply to people who "negligently" plow their car into crowds of non-bikers.

Navin

Mon, 20 Aug 2007 15:23:25 -0600

or who injure a pedestrian by blowing through a stop sign Yep, that happens often.....*rolls eyes* When was the last time a cyclist seriously injured somebody walking? How many people have perished after being brutally run down by cyclists this year? Or does that not happen? I walk about 80-90 percent of the time and take public transit the rest, and my safety's been endangered by reckless bikers at least as frequently, if not more so, than it has been by reckless motorists (of which there are indeed plenty). Oh geez, spare us the histrionics please. You forget that those of us riding our bikes are also spending time walking as well. 11 years in Chicago and I've never been hit by a cyclist or even had any kind of near altercation. Either I'm very lucky (and not oblivious to the world) or you've got personal issues with bikes.

guest

Mon, 20 Aug 2007 15:23:23 -0600

Well, #19, while we're at it we should come up with some legislation punishing pedestrians who jaywalk in the middle of a street without looking or stroll through crosswalks against the light. These people are just as dangerous as the faux-Armstrongs tearing up the lake trail.

guest

Mon, 20 Aug 2007 15:05:29 -0600

I have no problem with this legislation... as long as it is accompanied by concurrent legislation that mandates stiff penalties for bicyclists caught riding on sidewalks, or who injure a pedestrian by blowing through a stop sign or while treating paths through the park like their own personal racetrack... I walk about 80-90 percent of the time and take public transit the rest, and my safety's been endangered by reckless bikers at least as frequently, if not more so, than it has been by reckless motorists (of which there are indeed plenty). This has to go both ways, people...

mss2400

Mon, 20 Aug 2007 14:45:11 -0600

Actually, everyone should be worried about the "Negligent Vehicular Homicide" legislation, which (according to the link) was tabled by the Senate. We used to throw drivers in jail if they were drunk, speeding excessively or were otherwise reckless. Apparently the House wants to throw drivers in jail for simple negligence. Basically, if you make a mistake driving on a congested city street and a bicyclist dies, the state can charge you with negligent homicide and send you to jail for up to a year. This is scary folks. And this passed the state house without opposition?

guest

Mon, 20 Aug 2007 14:22:33 -0600

#13, How could you possibly pass bikers at "higher speeds"? With your holier-than-thou attitude about traffic laws, you aren't driving faster than the legal posted limit, are you?

Matt Stratton

Mon, 20 Aug 2007 14:19:39 -0600

Above that should say "negliGENT", not "negligiBLE".

Matt Stratton

Mon, 20 Aug 2007 14:19:13 -0600

Hey #13...did you check the part on that link about the new law on the table in the Senate about negligible vehicular homicide? We've covered this ground before - the arguments on both sides have to do with entitlement. However, folks like #13 blow my mind. I can't imagine someone wanting to actual inflict physical harm on another person just to prove a point about transportation. I hope you're joking, because if you aren't, I can't imagine how you sleep at night. When I ride my bike to and from work, I try to live by an unspoken contract with drivers - I will try to stay out of your way if you try to not kill me. Is that so hard for anyone (cyclist OR motorist) to live by?

mindylou

Mon, 20 Aug 2007 14:15:31 -0600

guest 4, you hit it right on the head. i ride the same way you do and think that if more people did the same there would be less friction between cyclists, motorists and pedestrians.

guest

Mon, 20 Aug 2007 14:11:01 -0600

Any cyclist who injures themselves while a)going the wrong way on a one way street b)running a red light or c)riding on a sidewalk full of pedestrians should be required to face a law requiring they be denied medical care even if they have insurance, under the grounds that they were already stupid beforehand for doing these things in the first place. I love taking my big SUV out on weekends and getting as close to cyclists as possible, preferably at higher speeds. If I can scare just one into a car or on a bus, it will all be worth it.

Navin

Mon, 20 Aug 2007 14:09:59 -0600

Will someone tell CTA bus drivers it's not okay to pass bikers by inches? Good point, a good start would be to teach bus drivers a thing or two. So many of them have swerved around (passed) me just as we were both approaching a bus stop only to grind to a halt in front of me which creates a seriously dangerous situation. Apparently the drivers can't wait the .5 seconds for me to clear the stop area in front of them, usually I'm going as fast as them anyway. I think these things are hard for drivers to understand. If the bus did the same thing to a car you'd proabably have a fist fight situation.

Matt Stratton

Mon, 20 Aug 2007 14:08:55 -0600

I have to agree with #8 - CTA buses are probably the worst offenders for almost knocking me off of my bike. Also, cement mixer trucks like to buzz me within inches. Regular drivers usually give me plenty of clearance as they pass me. The exception being the occasional person in a big hurry in their Mustang, but as #4 pointed out above, the guys almost clipping me in their cars as they zoom past are also generally about to turn left from the right lane, so they're endangering everyone no matter how many wheels.

guest

Mon, 20 Aug 2007 14:06:43 -0600

guest 8: It's even better when you're stuck between two oblivious douchebag buses. This has happened to me so many times that it's a major factor in why I don't bike to work every day. Cars I can generally handle. Buses, 3 feet will be so nice.

guest

Mon, 20 Aug 2007 14:06:09 -0600

More useful would be to create bike only roads and paths. I commute on the north branch river path and it makes for a nice trip. It wouldn't be a big deal to limit motor traffic on secondary streets and make them bike only. Bikes and trucks should be kept apart as much as possible!

guest

Mon, 20 Aug 2007 13:59:33 -0600

The sidewalk thing is tough. I bike to work almost every day, all 4 seasons. Exception: sometimes I hop on to avoid a lumbering, oblivious bus at rush hour. Will someone tell CTA bus drivers it's not okay to pass bikers by inches? I can't count the number of times I've been cut off/nearly squashed by buses coming up behind me--and I'm obeying all the rules of the road! Talk about your life flashing before your eyes. And there's nothing like having to get further into traffic because you want to get around the bus that nearly mashed you into the parked cars.

guest

Mon, 20 Aug 2007 13:57:21 -0600

This law is ok--but the main issue is that our transportation/traffic system [and the bulk of the financing] is ENTIRELY dedicated to automobiles. Drivers complain about cyclists' abuse of the traffic laws, but it is important to note that these laws are not very appropriate to cycling. What really needs to be done is for the state to become proactive in changing the transportation infrastructure to become more bicycle-focused.

guest

Mon, 20 Aug 2007 13:43:56 -0600

The law sounds great but I question the acutal enforcement. I usually bike to work everday and I often have to compete with cars, mopeds and motorcycles using the bicycle lanes to get through traffic quicker. I wish CPD would be present on these heavily trafficked streets and start ticketing drivers.

jay

Mon, 20 Aug 2007 13:41:55 -0600

The law essentially provides better legal recourse for bikers hit by drivers who passed too close. It's not going to significantly change the frustration drivers feel when sharing the lane with cyclists (can any law do that?) but it should influence their behavior, knowing they're breaking a law and could actually be punished. Next question: what's the punishment for passing too close or causing an accident when you pass too close?

guest

Mon, 20 Aug 2007 13:38:06 -0600

Mindylou's right ... for the most part, Chicago drivers are courteous to bicyclists. I've had my share of close calls, but it usually involves drivers who already are breaking any number of traffic laws anyway. I sort of don't think having another law on the books will do anything to change attitudes. Really, it's just another tool cops can use to charge someone after an accident. And in his inciteful way (notice the "c" there), guest #1 has a point. Too many bikers disregard stoplights and ignore people who have the right-of-way, thus giving us all a bad rap. I'm not saying I stop for every stop sign, or even that I come to a complete stop for any of them. Just like any of us on the road, biker, driver, or pedestrian, I break rules. My own personal rule is that I don't do anything that forces someone else with the right-of-way to slow down or alter course. This keeps me and other people safe. If we all followed similar rules instead of selfishly trying to put outselves in front of everyone else, we'd all be better off.

Navin

Mon, 20 Aug 2007 13:37:41 -0600

Glad to hear that some efforts are being made but sadly it won't make much difference unless cops and the city make it clear to drivers that bikes have a right to be on the road. I can't count how many times I've been yelled at to ride on the sidewalk by ignorant drivers. Cities like Portland Or. have done a decent job of making drivers aware of the rights of cyclists and pedestrians, I don't see why we can't. And yes if you are riding on the sidewalk at length (unless you're just quickly coming off the street to lock your bike) then you are lame and giving cyclists a bad name. Of course I've never seen anybody who even looks like they really use their bike riding on the sidewalk.

mindylou

Mon, 20 Aug 2007 13:18:54 -0600

i'd like to know how many police are going to be around to enforce the 3-feet rule. however, in my experience, a majority of drivers leave plenty of space between me and their car.

guest

Mon, 20 Aug 2007 13:09:30 -0600

Perhaps the state can pass a law calling on bikers to actually obey the laws they often ignore. Yeah, yeah, I know, it sucks, dudes, that bikers have to stop at stop signs or respect pedestrians or (gasp!) traffic lights. But the law is the law, and bikers would get a lot more respect if they obeyed the law. About 3-4 times a week in this city I am almost run down by bikers who refuse to obey stop signs or lights, or who apparently like to play chicken with pedestrians lawfully using crosswalks (no, I'm not a driver, and no, I don't jaywalk.). This happens in the Loop and in the neighborhoods. As well, unless you are a kid, you should not ride on city sidewalks. I realize that to criticize bikers in certain quarters of Chicago is like going to Tibet and talking shit about Buddha, but still ... just because bikers engage in what some people consider the holy act of pushing pedals in a northern urban center does not exempt bikers from the mundane requirements of the law. If you don't believe me, research state and local law.