City of Chicago steps up enforcement of bicycle laws.
Submitted by dwight on August 22, 2008 - 8:40pm.
With higher gas prices, there are more people using the roads. Unfortunately many of the new riders appear to be unaware that traffic laws apply to bicyclists also. This news story about Chicago enforcing bike laws was published in the Chicago Tribune today.
I would like to start a dialog about this program in our forum. A little enforcement with the accompanying publicity could go a long way towards educating all cyclists that we have a responsibility to follow the traffic laws too. At the same time, better enforcement (and publicity) directed towards motorists who violate laws that protect bicyclists can help to educate all motorists that bicyclists also have rights to use the roadways.
What are your thoughts?
Equality?
If you advocate for bicycling and walking as transportation you want funding, respect, and infrastructure. I think enforcing driving laws for bicyclists is a an effective means of educating and also getting the other three. However, in Idaho the laws are so few - it's not much of an issue. Most of the time I wish Idaho law didn't allow adults to ride on sidewalks because it gives Nampa an excuse to not build bike lanes.