Bicyclists subject to Rules of the Road
Updated: October 2, 2012
CAMPUS -- Police are cracking down on bicyclists who don't follow the rules. If those cyclists are caught, they can expect a ticket. WCIA-3's Jessica Shaw finds out it's all to make things safer.
UI Police say more people are riding their bikes, which means more people are breaking the rules of the road. Authorities hope this effort will cut down on some of that. On campus, it doesn't take long to spot a biker who likes to cut across traffic.
"Some people are just crazy."
Or, not use the bike lane.
"They just don't look where they're going. They just cut people off."
Or, ride the opposite direction on a one-way street. But, starting now, if you don't follow traffic laws, you could end up like Cory Buttry.
"I got a ticket for riding my bike through a stop sign."
UI Police hope the tickets will make cyclists more mindful when they're on the road.
"I suppose it would help a little bit. Some people don't care at all, but I think it would make it a little safer."
But not everyone thinks so.
"They're riding their bikes. They're just going to do what they want. People still speed now."
Some people think many don't follow the rules when it comes to biking.
"I didn't know it was against the law to go on a one-way street the opposite way."
That's why some say tickets won't do the trick.
"I think it stigmatizes bicycling and really keeps people off the bike than teaches them how to be safe."
UI Police say more people are riding their bikes, which means more people are breaking the rules of the road. Authorities hope this effort will cut down on some of that. On campus, it doesn't take long to spot a biker who likes to cut across traffic.
"Some people are just crazy."
Or, not use the bike lane.
"They just don't look where they're going. They just cut people off."
Or, ride the opposite direction on a one-way street. But, starting now, if you don't follow traffic laws, you could end up like Cory Buttry.
"I got a ticket for riding my bike through a stop sign."
UI Police hope the tickets will make cyclists more mindful when they're on the road.
"I suppose it would help a little bit. Some people don't care at all, but I think it would make it a little safer."
But not everyone thinks so.
"They're riding their bikes. They're just going to do what they want. People still speed now."
Some people think many don't follow the rules when it comes to biking.
"I didn't know it was against the law to go on a one-way street the opposite way."
That's why some say tickets won't do the trick.
"I think it stigmatizes bicycling and really keeps people off the bike than teaches them how to be safe."
Comments
Traffic laws need to be enforced for all users of our roads. But there is no law in Illinois that requires cyclists to use a bike lane. And while a well designed bike lane can make it easier for both motorists and cyclists to share the road, there are many good reasons for not using a bike lane, such as when approaching a driveway or intersection, preparing for a left turn, or to avoid the possibility of getting "doored" by someone opening the door of a parked car.
Gary C.
October 2, 2012 at 5:27 am
I'm glad the police are cracking down on the cyclists! We live in the country, on a working farm, and the bicyclists just ride out in frount of the large farm machinery without looking. They need to realize that the machinery operator can't always see them in time. Some people are lacking in common sense.
Roxanne M.
October 1, 2012 at 6:25 pm
I think they should get a ticket, just like Drivers on I74 at rush time crazy
Bryan H.
October 1, 2012 at 6:10 pm
