Everyone should obey the traffic laws of our city, as a matter of safety and common courtesy. But a crackdown on bicyclists is unfair, given the hazards of biking here in the city. The focus should be on making Chicago a bike- and pedestrian-focused city.
As a person who bikes daily in Chicago, I am always fearful of the countless aggressive, distracted drivers in huge SUVs or sedans who ignore bike lanes and right-turn-only lanes, speed through red lights and zigzag recklessly across lanes in their quest to trim microseconds off their trips.
I wear my helmet, stick to bike-lane streets, signal my turns, stop at intersections, etc. But is that going to save my life if Mr. Escalade decides to cruise down the bike-only lane at 50 m.p.h.? Watch the Indy 500 prelims on Roosevelt Road any given morning, and then tell me if you would risk your life in the bike lane.
When the psycho drivers are under control, I promise I’ll keep my bike off the sidewalk.
