Ald. Cappleman, CDOT, Bike Uptown to Unveil
New Lakefront Intersection Signs for Public Safety
New Lakefront Intersection Signs for Public Safety
Event to Be Held Tuesday, August 7, 7:30 a.m.,
Montrose Ave. and the Lakefront Trail, Chicago, IL
After a year of discussion, planning and progress, Bike Uptown and the Chicago Department of Transportation will join 46th Ward Alderman James Cappleman to celebrate his transportation master plan goal of reducing pedestrian, bicycle and auto crashes and improve safety along the 46th Ward portion of the Lakefront Trail by unveiling the new intersection signs.
The event will also emphasize the new Illinois state law that vehicles are required to stop for pedestrians that are in a crosswalk.
Bike Uptown is a local organization that advocates for calmer Uptown streets for walking, biking and using transit.
They need to make laws and enforce them for bikers. Every biker I see ignors traffic lights and signs and should be issued tickets as well as they do for vehicles. I see too many accidents which is mostly do to carelessness of bikers and disrespect of traffic regulations they should be obeying too.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you Nickey.
ReplyDelete-One thing to remember is that by Illinois law a person on a bicycle is considered a moving vehicle and not a pedestrian so stopping at the pedestrian crosswalk for a bicyclist is not the law. They would need to unmount the bike and walk it.
-There should be streets were bikers should not be allowed to ride. It is unsafe for everyone. Streets such as Western, Ashland, Broadway.
-They should also make laws for pedestrians. If they're popping all these crosswalks all over the place, then let's make laws against jaywalking.
Welcome to L.A.
Nickey has it right. There are a whole lot of idiot bikers.
ReplyDeleteThe bikers usually don't slow down at that intersection. They come flying by so fast around the bend, it's hard to see them while driving. Put a stop sign for the bikers.
Because riding a bike does not require registration, a drivers license, city/license plate stickers or any education prior to riding such as drivers education, they are not considered VEHICLES and are not expected to follow laws made for people who drive cars. As such, people who ride bikes are considered pedestrians.
ReplyDeleteHave you ever seen a pedestrian walk through a red light? Jay-walk? Not stop at a corner when there is a stop sign present? Do cars stop at stop signs? Do cars stop at yellow lights or even frequently, lights that were yellow that just turned red?
The argument that bikers and their erratic behavior is the problem is getting VERY old. How many pedestrians (on bikes or not) have ever killed someone because they were speeding, under the influence or just driving erratically? Point is, unlike a 15 lb bike, cars are incredibly dangerous, hence the many laws governing them. Drivers who complain about a person on a bike always seem to forget this. My tip: slow down, be courteous, and take deep breaths more frequently. It's a city, a lot of people are in it and where you need to get to in a car isn't the rest of the city's agenda so respect other people and drive accordingly.
But to take a balanced opinion I also firmly believe that for any person biking aggressively finding themselves in a wreck or getting killed, it's their own damn fault and they should have been more aware..
ReplyDeleteMy bike is my main form of transportation this time of year, and I agree that bikers should be held accountable to traffic rules.
ReplyDeleteI've actually had several almost-mishaps, because of other bikers ignoring the rules of the road and placing me in danger.
I've also been in an accident because of a driver who didn't respect the bike lane, and decided to run me off the road just for the heck of it. So it goes both ways.
The problem isn't with one group over the other. It's both. Well, all three if you take into account pedestrians as well. Everyone needs to be mindful of other people sharing their space, respect the rules of the road, and practice safety. If we can get to that point, everyone will be safer out there.
Actually, uptown action, they are considered a vehicle and YES they DO have to follow the rules of the road. As much as you are tired of hearing that, I am SICK and TIRED of people denying this. Check your local laws. Bikers have indeed been issued tickets for running a red light. Get your facts straight please. I understand most bikers are no different from anyone else, just trying to get from point A to point B, but there are a few out there who seem to have a chip on their shoulders and think they have to prove a point. To this day, I still don't know what that point is, but I will be sure to share when I figure it out. Also, from a bikers point of view, their are a lot of inconsiderate drivers in cars out there as well. An argument can be made for both sides. If you are on a bike, you are NOT....let me repeat myself, you ARE NOT a pedestrian, nor do you get the rights of a pedestrian....period!
ReplyDeleteUptownAction.. I highly suggest you follow the SF papers (sfgate.com) because right now there is not one, but TWO, manslaughter trials starting because two different bikers went speeding through intersections and KILLED an innocent person in a crosswalk. I am sick and tired of bikes that have zero regard for the law, yet yell and scream when someone points out they do have to follow the rules.. because people DO get killed ...
ReplyDelete(sigh) dammit, why did I know this was going to happen...
ReplyDelete@ Uptown Superhero..
Thanks for the link to the homepage of sfgate.com, there is no story on their frontpage. I even did a search for "killed by bicycle" on their site and came back w/nothing other than stories of bikers killed by cars. SSSOOO, w/o a direct link I'm going to call you out and say b.s. There is currently a story on the bottom of their front page about "ghost bikes"; here's an excerpt:
"Overall, hundreds of cyclists die and thousands are injured in accidents each year in the U.S. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that 618 cyclists were killed and 52,000 injured in crashes with motor vehicles in 2010, the most recent year for which those statistics are available. The deaths accounted for about 2 percent of motor vehicle-related fatalities. More than 70 percent of cyclist fatalities happened in urban settings, about 30 percent took place at intersections and more than half happened between 4 p.m. and midnight.
Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Where-cyclists-die-ghost-bikes-rise-in-tribute-3769422.php#ixzz22u8RUGFr
I know it's just numbers and verifiable facts from a Government agency (and believe me, those numbers are LOWWWWWW due to unreported incidents and/or incidents that do not get recorded as a bicycle crashes) but ehh, what does that matter right? Bikers still think they own the road and are inconsiderate right? It's just a bit challenging trying to find injury statistics of accidents were a bicyclist was at fault..(scratching my head) I wonder why that is? 52,000 injured and 618 killed, in just one year with numbers that are probably more of an estimate than real yet you claim to have found a story, oh sorry, TWO stories where a person on a bike killed someone... hmmm. Not saying it doesn't happen or that it's impossible but do you really think a person on a bike WHATEVER they are doing is a threat to anyone's safety? If so, PLEASE overwhelm me with evidence. Humble me with numbers from a legitimate agency that says that bikes kill and are worth worrying about the way we have to worry about motor vehicles.
@ Big guy...
ReplyDeleteI understand your point and respect it; can you tell me what house or senate bill and the number on that bill is that considers bikes vehicles? I'd like to read exactly what that law states. Thanks.
As far as figuring out the point to a bikers chip on the ol' shoulder have you ever been hit while on your bike or nearly hit by a person in a car who was either not paying attention or was driving aggressively? No? Well, it's kind of not fun and even a wee bit scary as shit. After maybe a dozen or so times of this happening, you get a little bitter, even if you're doing everything right, biking where and how you should be biking you tend to look a little unfavorably on cars... Not to be a total hater though, I have an I-Go membership and love it.
Ok, to wrap it up, the rules of the road: http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/publications/pdf_publications/dsd_a112.pdf
Page 39 has laws and SAFETY TIPS for cyclists. It doesn't state which is which but is implied the first two are laws, can't bike on a highway and can't bike against traffic. The rest are safety tips mainly on what cars need to do such as always give 3 feet and always yield to bicyclists, even at intersections.
I'm even nice enough to give you the link to the Illinois Bicycle rules of the road:
http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/publications/pdf_publications/dsd_a143.pdf
This is at the beginning, "When riding your bicycle on Illinois roadways, you must obey the same traffic laws, signs and signals that apply to motorists.
• Bicyclists must ride in the same direction as other traffic. Riding in the opposite
direction of traffic is both dangerous and against the law."
So a cyclist must OBEY or observe the same traffic laws as motorists but it doesn't say its illegal not to, just obey. It is stated that it is illegal to bike against traffic however.
So there we go...
I dream of a day when UU commenters can stick to the topic rather than call each other names.
ReplyDeleteUptownAction, try Googling Dionette Cherney/Randolph Ang and Chris Bucchere/Sutchi Hui before you accuse someone of making things up.
@ uptownaction:
ReplyDeleteAs I'm sitting hear, giggling to myself, I am wondering if you read your own posts...and better yet, if you actually believe this crap!
A. Dont assume I haven't been hit by a car as we all know what assume means, right? Yes, I have, for the record.
That being said, it has only happened once. Oddly enough, get ready for it.....the amount of times I have had to slam on the brakes, or even swerve out of the way for a cyclist....unimaginable! I can't even begin to count
B. All of your little statistics fail to mention one itsy bitsy piece of information.....how many of those accidents are caused by the cyclist?? If you really think that those are all caused by the car only, please tell me what world you live in as it must be a VERY special place.
C. Are you seriously kidding me with the whole OBEY thing? Really. Last time I checked, obey means the same for everyone....much to your chagrin, there is NOT a different definition for someone on a bicycle. Give me a break. No worries though, i'm embarrassed enough for you since i'm sure your not.
Taken from the rules of the road in Il:
Regulatory Signs
Regulatory signs tell you what to do and must be obeyed.
So, I guess its ok for us to make our own definition of what obey means, right? So the next time I come to a stop sign and I don't stop, I will just tell the person its not my fault, I wasn't told it was a law, only that I had to obey the sign. I'm sure they will understand.
http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/publications/pdf_publications/dsd_a112.pdf. Page 58 if you feel the need to check it out.
And if this isn't enough:
Obey all Traffic Laws and Signals
• When riding your bicycle on Illinois roadways
,you must obey the same traffic laws, signs and signals that apply to motorists.
-Two-way Intersections — When you come to a stop sign at a two-way stop intersection, you must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians and vehicles on the cross street before you go ahead.
-Four-way Intersections — At a four-way stop intersection, the driver or bicycle rider who arrives first at the intersection should be the first to go. Take turns and go one by one through the intersection after coming to a complete stop. Proceed only when it is safe to do so.
These are taken directly from the Bicycle rules of the road web site....Cyberdriveillinois.com
And last but not least, since your definition of OBEY is clearly in need of updating....here ya go!
Definition of OBEY
transitive verb
1
: to follow the commands or guidance of
2
: to conform to or comply with.
CN,
ReplyDeleteI've reread every post 3 times and don't see any name calling, maybe you could point out where that is happening in this feed?
I also stated that I didn't think it impossible that a cyclist could kill a pedestrian but thanks for providing two examples. My overall argument was to raise the question of what form of transportation poses a greater threat to safety, cars, or a person on a bike? Drivers for the most part seem to complain about bikers blowing stop signs/lights. It's no secret that cars also do this all the time but the real issue shouldn't be "who did it" but the effects of those actions. Why would a person in a 2000 lb vehicle care if a person on a bike blows a stop sign really? Are they in danger of serious injury b/c of it? A person on a bike cares about cars blowing stop signs and lights b/c if a biker or pedestrian gets hit as a result serious injury is inevitable. That's the difference. If we want to split hairs about "well how come that person doesn't have to follow the rules and I have to" then why don't drivers get all worked up about other drivers speeding, or not stopping at stop signs while you do? My guess is b/c most people speed and a lot of people roll through stop signs or gun it through yellow or red lights. I'd like to know what it is about a person on a bike that really bothers people b/c I don't think the blowing stop signs argument holds much weight. I hope someone can provide an honest answer..
Everybody needs to slow down whatever the rules are. People get hurt.
ReplyDeleteThe bicycles on the lakefront path need to slow down when the path traffic is heavy, and it has nothing to do with cars. On the lakefront bike path there have been many many injuries to pedestrians and bicyclists alike, young and old, because of people being reckless/careless and dare I say...inconsiderate.
I hope this new sign and its glaringly visible placement slows down cars to make the crossing safer.
But for a safer rest of the path bicyclists need to slow down and enjoy the ride. Unlike the streets there are kids on that path and seniors walking....slooooooow dooown.
Thats all Folks.
BG,
ReplyDeleteA.) For all you know I'm 8 feet tall, have 2 heads and can fly. For all I know you have or have not ever been hit by a car. Without being able to know these things is it worth mentioning, or are you just trying to strengthen your argument? How come you didn't tell me which state law specifically says that a bicycle is considered a vehicle? Didn't I ask nicely enough? It's either a house or a senate bill right? Which one?
B.) I didn't collect the data so I have know idea who is at fault but to caress your ego, you are probably right in that a small number of those reported accidents were the fault of a cyclist.
C.) I tossed the "obey" point at you to see how much fun you'd have it. You're welcome for enjoying it! :-)
D.) I drive every day for work but bike to and from as well so I see both sides of the coin and can confidently NOT identify myself as a "bike nazi".
This debate is like debating what is more dangerous, a great white or a gold fish? I always find it completely ridiculous b/c drivers always play the "safety" or "following the rules" card the whole time not recognizing the safety disparity that exists between a bike and car or that drivers speed, fail to yield, blow stop signs/lights, make illegal turns, drive the wrong way down one way streets and drive aggressively (tailgating, road rage, excessive honking etc) all the time.
SO, BG if you can recognize that drivers do all of the things I just mentioned I'll begin to start taking you seriously.
Since no one has mentioned the event that this post is about, and since "Nazi" has been invoked (Godwin's Law), I'm cutting off comments at this point.
ReplyDelete