E
Eric Vey
Guest
http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/781816,CST-NWS-bike07.article
Share the road with bicycles -- or pay
Reckless drivers who endanger bicycle riders would pay fines of $150 --
$500 if there's a bike crash -- under a crackdown proposed Wednesday by
Chicago's No. 1 cyclist.
Mayor Daley, who once scraped the skin off his kneecap during a marathon
bike ride in Michigan, has been there and done that.
He has had drivers open car doors in his path. He has had cars turn left
in front of him and had a car pass within three feet of his bike.
"When someone opens a door -- that's why you have to be very, very alert
on a bike," Daley said.
"Yes, it's taken place. And [there were] a few choice words. Every biker
does that -- salutes the driver in a Chicago way."
All three violations were targeted by the ordinance introduced by Daley
at Wednesday's City Council meeting. It's designed to reduce the number
of crashes involving bikes and motor vehicles. There were 6,000 such
crashes in Chicago between 2001 and 2005, killing 30 cyclists.
The ordinance establishes a fine for double-parking in a marked lane
that's supposed to be shared by bikes and vehicles. And it raises the
fine for driving, standing and parking in a bicycle-only lane.
The city has more than 110 miles of designated bike lanes and 21 miles
of shared lanes.
Share the road with bicycles -- or pay
Reckless drivers who endanger bicycle riders would pay fines of $150 --
$500 if there's a bike crash -- under a crackdown proposed Wednesday by
Chicago's No. 1 cyclist.
Mayor Daley, who once scraped the skin off his kneecap during a marathon
bike ride in Michigan, has been there and done that.
He has had drivers open car doors in his path. He has had cars turn left
in front of him and had a car pass within three feet of his bike.
"When someone opens a door -- that's why you have to be very, very alert
on a bike," Daley said.
"Yes, it's taken place. And [there were] a few choice words. Every biker
does that -- salutes the driver in a Chicago way."
All three violations were targeted by the ordinance introduced by Daley
at Wednesday's City Council meeting. It's designed to reduce the number
of crashes involving bikes and motor vehicles. There were 6,000 such
crashes in Chicago between 2001 and 2005, killing 30 cyclists.
The ordinance establishes a fine for double-parking in a marked lane
that's supposed to be shared by bikes and vehicles. And it raises the
fine for driving, standing and parking in a bicycle-only lane.
The city has more than 110 miles of designated bike lanes and 21 miles
of shared lanes.