sidewalk bicycling in chicago (cars, tickets, work)

[esalinge]

Today well walking down a particularly crowded sidewalk in an area of the city with little traffic a well defined bike lanes I noticed a bike coming down a hill in the middle of the sidewalk. I refused to step over, he refused to move over. As he passed within two inches of me I said (mostly under my breath) that biking on the sidewalk is a 500 dollar fine. He finished the hill squealed on his breaks, biked up the hill and dismounted his bike. He then asked me to repeat what I said to which he responded "you are lucky you didn't get shot for that". I responded that I'd been biking in chicago and the risk you incur biking with cars is regrettable but it is part of using a bike in the city and he had no rite to risk the many pedestrians on the sidewalk. He made some threatening gestures I pointed to the cop on the corner. Lol, this guy had a brand new bike, a jerky little rear-view mirror, one of those fake french tour shirts. Clearly not a regular biker. Now, I've never said anything to the people who ride on the side walks but today was a traffic free beautiful day. I grew up without bike lanes or protective laws and I never got in anyones face about. Still can't believe it.

[UnderTheLiveOaks]

Originally Posted by esalinge

Today well walking down a particularly crowded sidewalk in an area of the city with little traffic a well defined bike lanes I noticed a bike coming down a hill in the middle of the sidewalk. I refused to step over, he refused to move over. As he passed within two inches of me I said (mostly under my breath) that biking on the sidewalk is a 500 dollar fine. He finished the hill squealed on his breaks, biked up the hill and dismounted his bike. He then asked me to repeat what I said to which he responded "you are lucky you didn't get shot for that". I responded that I'd been biking in chicago and the risk you incur biking with cars is regrettable but it is part of using a bike in the city and he had no rite to risk the many pedestrians on the sidewalk. He made some threatening gestures I pointed to the cop on the corner. Lol, this guy had a brand new bike, a jerky little rear-view mirror, one of those fake french tour shirts. Clearly not a regular biker. Now, I've never said anything to the people who ride on the side walks but today was a traffic free beautiful day. I grew up without bike lanes or protective laws and I never got in anyones face about. Still can't believe it.

You were right. That guy can suck it.

[Jesse69]

You just can't win as a biker. I got told off the road / driver told me to get on the sidewalk biking in Houston and Chicago. Then they tell you you can't bike on the sidewalk in Michigan Ave. But I blew past red light even with a cop car nearby and the cops did nothing, - but I stopped and looked before going...

[WhaThe]

I thought the fine was $50.00. Did it go up that much? Man, they must really be trying to plug those holes in the budget.

[UnderTheLiveOaks]

Originally Posted by Jesse69

You just can't win as a biker. I got told off the road / driver told me to get on the sidewalk biking in Houston and Chicago. Then they tell you you can't bike on the sidewalk in Michigan Ave. But I blew past red light even with a cop car nearby and the cops did nothing, - but I stopped and looked before going...

That driver was wrong. Get off of the GD sidewalk.

[Venom]

I just use them on the small streets.

Why would I ride on main streets?

[scarletneon]

seriously - GET OFF THE SIDEWALKS.

i'm sick of having to give priority to some cyclist when PEDESTRIANS have the right of way on sidewalks.

you just need to deal with drivers. thus, why, as i stated earlier in this thread, i don't ride a bike is because I KNOW BETTER than to ride on the sidewalks, and am terrified of getting run over by a car.

[Irishtom29]

I never give an inch to a bicycle on the sidewalk. When I see one coming I stop, plant my feet and look the bike rider right in the eye. They steer wide every time.

However on the streets while driving I give bike riders every break. And when I ride my bike I'm scrupulous about obeying traffic laws.

[Chi-town Native]

when did Chicagoans become such a bunch of Sallies? I've been riding my bloody bike in the street since I was 10 years old - when I was a kid you were a punk if you weren't long before the legal age of 12. I bike everywhere on the street - cyclists who don't are part of the problem.

No doubt you deal with some aggressive jerks, but you know what - you do that as a driver or pedestrian as well. Don't be one of those cyclists who indiscriminately blow through red lights and respect all people regardless of their mode of transportation and you will generally be fine. Over 25 years of cycling in the streets, and I haven't been hit once by a car and I ride a good 8 months out of the year.

[UnderTheLiveOaks]

Originally Posted by Chi-town Native

when did Chicagoans become such a bunch of Sallies? I've been riding my bloody bike in the street since I was 10 years old - when I was a kid you were a punk if you weren't long before the legal age of 12. I bike everywhere on the street - cyclists who don't are part of the problem.

No doubt you deal with some aggressive jerks, but you know what - you do that as a driver or pedestrian as well. Don't be one of those cyclists who indiscriminately blow through red lights and respect all people regardless of their mode of transportation and you will generally be fine. Over 25 years of cycling in the streets, and I haven't been hit once by a car and I ride a good 8 months out of the year.

x2. I haven't been riding for 25 years. More like 5-6. However, I obey the laws and stay alert and (knock on some wood here, people), have never been involved in an accident of any note. I've had to swerve, mind you, but I've never hit anyone or been hit by anyone.

I know that there are PLENTY of cyclists who have followed every rule and still gotten doored, etc. However, being safe and alert sure helps.