Illinois Bikers Can Run Red Lights Sometimes, But Not In Chicago

mmmmarshall

A new state law allows motorcycles and bicycles to legally run red lights in some instances, but bikers still must wait barreling through the intersection. The law explicitly states that this doesn't apply to Illinois municipalities with more than two million people — that means Chicago.

Gov. Pat Quinn asked state legislators to add a mandatory wait time before the vehicles continue through the intersection. CBS reports that they settled on 120 seconds. The law exists because bikes and motorcycles aren't heavy enough to trigger sensors to change the light, and if a car doesn't come along, the bike is stuck waiting. The law seems a bit superfluous, though. How many intersections are there outside of Chicago that have stoplights longer than two minutes and so little traffic that bikes are waiting around to get through them?

Also, once again we'd like to note that this law doesn't exist in Chicago, so get some brakes on your fixie before you go barreling through a six-corner intersection during rush hour. I'm looking at you, every bike on Milwaukee Avenue.

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By Samantha Abernethy in News on December 30, 2011 5:00 PM 0 Comments

Comments [rss]

Motorcyclist

The article say's bikes and motor cycles cannot run the red light but, how many bikes that seem to be cutting in front of cars dangerously and running those very same lights and they never are stopped and reprimanded. And motorcyclist aren't that ignorant to go barreling through a six corner intersection in rush hour, give credit where it's due.

ScooterLibbby

I'd like some lawyer to explain how the 2 million or less exception is constitutional since the Illinois Constitution requires equal protection.
Article 1

SECTION 2. DUE PROCESS AND EQUAL PROTECTION

No person shall be
deprived of life, liberty or property without due process of law nor be denied
the equal protection of the laws.

Eric Masek

Q - How many intersections are there outside of Chicago that have stoplights longer than two minutes and so little traffic that bikes are waiting around to get through them?
A - A lot.

Lights in chicago are set to timers. They will change whether someone is patiently waiting at the red or a million cars are backed up on a green light. The law not pertaining to motorcycles in the city limits is really no big deal unless you lack patience completely at 2am.

Most lights outside of chicago are set to change only when a vehicle is detected.

chiefjd

The author's comments near the end of the article point out some "Ivory Tower" lifestyle and beg to ask why were they permitted to pontificate on this subject. Stop lights outside of the urban areas are exactly why laws like this are needed. In many less traveled areas lights are set to not change at all unless a vehicle is detected waiting. I sense a little hostlility, closet jealousy toward motorcyclists, or just plain ignorance on the subject.

Schmüdde

Fundamentally, traffic laws need to be considered from the perspective of the most vulnerable and least resource-draining - thus encouraging a the most efficent mode of transportation. Laws like this are a step in the right direction even if they seem superfluous. At least alternative modes are being considered.

Schmüdde
www.schmudde.net