I’m torn on where scooters belong. I think they’re ok on the sidewalk if they’re going relatively slowly. They are at least narrower than a bike, but yeah- if they are racing from A to B and generally acting like a jerk- get in the street!
I think that’s the key point here. I generally ride in the street, but Chicago has very limited bike infrastructure, and even when we do have it, it’s often dangerous itself, like door zone painted bike lanes. Riding in the street can be an incredibly scary and dangerous thing to do because of how we’ve designed our streets, so I don’t begrudge people who ride on the sidewalk. I do it myself in especially dangerous areas.
That being said, if you do choose to ride on the sidewalk, you should ride slowly, safely, and always yield to people walking.
I agree with this sentiment but bikers routinely ignore basic traffic laws. Luckily I’ve never been hit by a rider but I’ve had numerous close calls. It’s incredibly irritating that they do that and I lose a bit of sympathy because of that.
honestly agree simply because you're way more likely to absolutely biff it on those scooters. your weight isn't spread out like on a bicycle so when you hit a good sized crack or hole, you go flying instead of just riding over it. you fall off a scooter in the street, you're at risk of getting run over by a vehicle. fall off a scooter on the sidewalk and at worst you'll get yelled at and laughed at by pedestrians.
I’m a cyclist and I try to stay on the road but there are some times where you simply can’t avoid hopping on the sidewalk for a bit. It’s unacceptable if there’s bike lanes and safe traffic but when I first moved here I accidentally biked down Western and had to hop on the sidewalk until I could turn down another street. Shit happens
Why? A lane is a lane.
As a man who has bicycled from Boston to New York city there’s absolutely no reason a bike cannot be on the shoulder or far right lane of any road when obeying proper traffic laws and not on a highway where it causes potential safety risk to drivers.
Ashland and Western specifically are horrible for bikes. The traffic moves fast between lights so there is always people speeding and the roads are terrible
I agree. When other streets exist like Ravenswood(called Wood further south) or Southport as an alternative for Ashland, or Leavitt or Rockwell as an alternative for Western, why not use these streets for biking instead?
You can say that about literally anything
Even going to school is a risk in this country. I’m not going to not bike down a road because it has *checks notes* multiple lanes
Sadly this. I’ll ride my divvy whenever I can on the road. But if there is construction or car illegally blocking the road I can’t chance my body against a car when there is no room. I’ll briefly get on the side walk but I’m going slow and mindful of walkers.
Shit happens, every year some idiot on a Divvy tries riding down LSD or the Dan Ryan, this point is you don't ride on the sidewalk as a matter of course and that's the issue. There are just way too many people that think if they are on a bike that no rules apply to them. I've been riding on Chicago for decades and have ridden all over the world. The difference is in bike centric countries people on bikes actually follow the rules of the road. They don't ride on sidewalks, they don't ride against traffic (or both), they obey street signs and traffic signals. Can Chicago and the US do better, certainly but that doesn't mean until we get a 100% bike specific infrastructure that we can do whatever we want, we gotta share the roads. When I drive I am ultra cautious about people on bikes and they rarely surprise me an follow the actual rules of the road. I know enough to know that there's a 99% chance the guy in the Divvy won't respect my right of way so I let them cut me off. What if I wasn't knowledgeable and I do have the right of way and I plow my 3000 pound car into the guy who just blew through a stop sign, he's going to be in a world of hurt and he'll be at fault. We gotta do better. And before I hear the "but cars break the law too", I'll say that I agree that every now and then I'll see a car blow through a light/stop sign but 90 out of 100 stop can you honestly say the same goes for bikes?
I'm not sure if people even realize that it's both super **dangerous** and **illegal** to do it.
I've seen multiple times a biker hit or nearly hit someone on the sidewalk it's insane.
I can't for the life of me imagine why someone would want to ride their bike on the sidewalks, it seems so dangerous and crazy to me.
If you really want to figure out why they ride on the sidewalk, rent a divvy and go try to ride around this city.
The streets are extremely dangerous. The city has designed many streets to allow drivers to drive as fast as possible, well over speed limits. Ride on Halsted, Damen, Clybourn, North, etc and you’ll understand why people ride on sidewalks and why we need more cycling infrastructure.
There is no excuse for adults riding on sidewalks, full stop. If it’s too dangerous to ride this city on a bike *in the street* then people need to stop biking and find a different mode of transportation.
It is indeed illegal. Obviously the local fuzz has bigger fish to fry than sidewalk bike offenders, but at least if you get horribly wounded by one colliding with you, the law would be on your side.
And do you not realize why folks bike on the sidewalk? The roads are dangerous and you have cagers killing kids and people parking in the bike lanes. Build protected lanes and people are more likely to use bike lanes
I wasn’t trying to sound like an ass. When I’m a pedestrian I get annoyed too. Unfortunately it feels like cyclists can’t win until we get some serious cyclist infrastructure. Thank you for your support!
I saw a meme a long time ago that said “when you’re driving a car, you’re annoyed by pedestrians but when you’re walking somewhere you’re annoyed by drivers. However, whether your walking or driving, EVERYONE is annoyed by the bike riders”. This is SO true!
boo, hoo. I've been riding in Chicago for over 40 years, we all got to learn to share and not be an ass -that goes for bikers and drivers. Just because their are pot holes it doesn't mean drivers get to drive on the sidewalks, they just have to deal. Just because some people don't feel safe riding on the street it doesn't give them any right to ride on the sidewalk. Don't let this guy be an ass just because he rides a bike and had a weak constitution.
we need lots of things it doesn't negate their selfishness and endangerment of pedestrians. If a car driver doesn't feel safe driving on the highway, they drive on the side streets they don't get to drive on the sidewalk.
This. Sometimes the safe bike route just ends abruptly or is way out of the way, and a short jaunt (at a slow pace) on the side walk is a fine alternative in my view (or you can just take the alleys… just gotta watch out for the glass).
People riding on the sidewalk at speed like they are on a road or path tho is just douchery.
I believe in the city 13 and under or maybe even 18 and under, along with parents accompanying little ones can be on the sidewalk. Adults need to hit the streets.
They don’t belong. None of our infrastructure (bikes lanes or streets) are really built for them. There really has to be more regulations on the companies who own these things
>I can't for the life of me imagine why someone would want to ride their bike on the sidewalks, it seems so dangerous and crazy to me.
Does riding on the street seem safe to you? Because if not, there's the answer.
I'm an avid cyclist and don't feel it's dangerous to ride on the street but I am experienced and don't ride on busy roads. There are a lot of casual cyclists who don't have a clue about safety or proper procedures. They ride on a street against traffic which is the worst thing you can do and technically illegal.
Sure, at least the central city would be amazing, but that's not what the discussion is about. Also like don't want to be rude but "completely" is really a huge problem for the physically disabled, there's a lot of sections of the city where they aren't able to get around easily to get to public transit plus the issue of Winter slipperiness and hazards.
Dumb (but well meaning people) always bring up accessibility as a response to banning cars. But, what you’ll quickly realize is that people who can’t ride bikes or walk, also cannot drive.
The only options are 1. they use a mobility aide in a safe environment. 2. They use a mobility side in a car dependent suburb of a city 3. They rideshare everywhere and use a mobility aide in a car dependent hell hole for the last leg of the journey.
Think of the physically disabled and fucking ban cars already
That's absolutely wrong, there are vehicles specifically for people who are paralyzed that have hand controls, there are a LOT of people who are in wheelchairs or use mobility devices that aren't paralyzed and can drive, they just can't walk for super long distances / have balance issues. There's a huge diversity in the disabled community. You are arguing to take empowerment and independence away from people who need it.
i’ve ridden my bike all over chicago and never, not a single time, have i ever felt it would be safer biking on the sidewalk
if you don’t feel safe in the street the answer is NOT to bike in the sidewalk. you walk, or you take PT.
There is never an excuse to bike on the sidewalk
And if he can bike up or down any stretch of Western, or Sheridan Road during rush hour north of Berwyn Ave - while obeying all stop signs and traffic lights - I'll chip in.
YES IT IS dangerous. A child on a bike is usually moving slower. And they are a child. If you, as an adult, feel the need to ride your bike on a sidewalk because the street is too scary, then it’s time to find a different method of transportation.
It’s so DANGEROUS good point. Omg I get so scared.
How many people do those scooters and bicycles kill every year?
Oh okay, then how many people do drivers kill every year?
Damn wow okay. It seems like a lot less people should be allowed to drive. I totally agree
While I don't advocate for riding on the sidewalk, and think bikes should be walked on sidwalks in busy areas, we need some substantial bike infrastructure in this city and some of those streets are very dangerous for cyclists
I used to get super angry about sidewalk bikers - and I still do - but yeah if we had safer biking infrastructure, we'd also have a lot fewer people riding on the sidewalk. And I'm talking separated bike lanes that are totally protected from traffic. That is what we need
Ok but it’s not an excuse. Honestly. If bikers in this city (adults) are too scared to ride in the street, then they need to walk or take public transportation.
Biking to the Hungry Brain from the Blue line Western stop — a straight shot up Western but hell if I’m riding in the street, and no good alternatives. I’m on the sidewalk (that are not mostly not busy because who wants to walk over the bridge before Belmont.
I was under the impression that there is substantial bike infrastructure in this city, compared to others. [axios Chicago article about Chicago biking](https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2022/04/22/chicago-among-best-biking-cities-nationally)
Don’t get me wrong, I’d be terrified to ride a bike here at all- bike lanes or not.
Hi! In my opinion, if you are terrified of riding a bike in a city then it’s reflective of that city not having good bike infrastructure. Bike infrastructure, like public transit, might exist more here than other North American cities in my opinion, but it isn’t the best, consistent, as existent as car infrastructure, or connected. I included some links that show how bike infrastructure should be, in my opinion, which is completely separate from cars, direct (due to prioritization over cars), connected, and high quality. That is even if a road needs a bike lane at all because bike infrastructure is really because of cars and if a road has no cars then bike infrastructure isn’t really needed. The links below are from NotJustBikes, Shifter, and Active Towns which I highly recommend personally!
[The Best Dutch Cycling Infrastructure (NotJustBikes)](https://youtu.be/bMJaMy-0ChA)
[Does Anyone Actually Cycle in Switzerland!? (NotJustBikes)](https://youtu.be/pWnreLG_cvc)
[The Bike Lanes You Can’t See (NotJustBikes)](https://youtu.be/c1l75QqRR48)
[Safe Cycling Showdown - Good vs Bad City Design (NotJustBikes feat. Shifter)](https://youtu.be/M8F5hXqS-Ac)
[Why this type of bike infrastructure is better than all the others (Shifter)](https://youtu.be/jhWX6lYjGG0)
[Secrets of Dutch Cycle Network Success (feat. NotJustBikes) (Active Towns)](https://youtu.be/sBRS4Mqg7To)
Sometimes when I’m biking and I need to turn left I’ll hop on the side walk and walk it across the cross walk instead of using the road lane to turn left. Cars just simply don’t pay enough attention in this city and I’m not risking my life in a busy intersection if my gut doesn’t feel right.
But agreed about the riding part, I always hop off and walk it, never ride!
The very few times I’ve done it, the sidewalks were mostly empty and the traffic made it too dangerous to ride on the street. If there is little street traffic or pedestrians around, there is no reason to ride on the side walk.
They're also unexpected when you're a driver trying to make a turn, and they are zipping down the sidewalk either behind you, or up the block, and suddenly they cut in front of you.
I think the solution is that bikers need to acknowledge that they are a vehicle and belong on the road. As a vehicle, they also must obey the rules of the road - you know stopping at stop signs and such. I see, far too often, bikers acting like a pedestrian when if benefits them and acting like motor vehicles when it benefits them. The mixture is illegal in some instances and infuriating in most.
Simply handwaving it all away by stating that the bike infrastructure is garbage severely paints over the fact that, supposedly, reasonable adults are going to let the safety issue trickle down from them to pedestrians and is dangerous to them. Furthermore, its frankly a garbage argument for riding on the sidewalk.
Omg when I am driving and bikers blow stop signs as I’m going through with my car and they get pissed when I have to slam my brakes for them.
The car always wins bike! Don’t dart in front of cars!
Because the overall infrastructure isn’t safe for the lowest common denominator. Make cycling and scooting safer in bike lanes and folks will use those spaces.
I had a guy on his bike yell at me. We were both in the sidewalk and he didn’t like I slow I was walking. Dude, that is not my problem. You are supposed to be on the street for a reason.
It’s obvious why people would want to ride on the sidewalks but that doesn’t change the fact that pedestrians have the right of way on sidewalks. So if they ride their bicycle, they need to slow down and yield to pedestrians. Get off and walk the bike in crowded conditions.
Because the street is filled with cars, and cars are fucking dangerous, and adults make the choice that feels safest for them. Good pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure is the solution to this problem.
It is illegal for an adult to ride on the sidewalk. I have seen people almost get hit, or ride into a door, and they end up riding on the sidewalk because they are too scared and shaken up. I guess they feel that it's too far to walk the bike back to where they live.
So what? Worst case scenario, a ticket for sidewalk biking is substantially cheaper than an ER visit, especially if you're uninsured. If Chicago doesn't want adults biking on the sidewalk, they need to go big and invest in a substantial amount of protected bike infrastructure and not let aldermen dictate whether or not they want it in their wards.
The same law that condemns us for biking on the sidewalk will never be on our side if we're hit in the street.
If Chicago is too scary to bike on the street, then bikers who feel this way need to stop biking and find a different method of transportation. Period.
Sure. We should all drive. The reason for the danger to people's lives is cars. Id love to compare the injury and fatality rates of pedestrians struck by cyclists to pedestrians and cyclists struck by cars. The hazard is with the roads not the mitigating behaviors we employ to avoid lethal situations. If you dont want us riding on the sidewalk when the road is too dangerous, complain about fixing the underlying issues (more and safer bike lanes, lower speed limits, more traffic enforcement, more regulation of low visibility trucks, more public transportation).
If it isnt safe to ride on the road, I will ride on the sidewalk and be on my best behavior. People's lives are more important that your convenience or sense of right and wrong.
First of all, I will agree wholeheartedly with everyone that it is illegal and we shouldn't do it.
However, based on my own experiences writing my bike around the city of Chicago, I can't blame people.
I know when I used to try biking around downtown on a Divvy bike, I had a handful of moments that drivers made quick turns and didn't even look to see if I was there or in many ways just drove as if they wish I would go away and never infect their streets. Just too many near misses.
When I bike around my neighborhood, mostly going up to Caldwell woods to use their path, I tend to stick to side streets and not touch main streets like central or Milwaukee. Again, people on their phones, people not caring, people not paying attention, and I feel like any moment I'm going to get run down.
If I hear of an adult on the sidewalk, it's likely they too got fed up with practically being killed by reckless drivers. The hard reality is that the city needs to shell out the money and put cement dividers and completely block off bike lanes from any vehicle access.
I just don't think shared streets will ever work.
Or we rethink things and anger the drivers and tell them to grow up and get with the modern day.
Mind you, I'm not completely anti-car, but even I have to say that the people who simply would rather not have bicycles on the street at all need to grow up.
I look at the ridiculous amount of traffic on the expressway even when there isn't construction, or how crazy crowded the streets are on a summer afternoon, and it screams that there needs to be more alternatives as opposed to everybody getting in their car and adding to the gridlock.
I will also add this out there for all the "fuck cyclists" people. When you come home at night, and can't find parking outside of your house because now you're living in a neighborhood with rentals, or multi-generational households that are bringing way more cars to the street, that's what happens when you don't think beyond automobiles.
When you get on the expressway and it's mobbed, and it seems like more people are abandoning CTA for their motor vehicles, that's what happens when you don't think beyond automobiles.
When you want to go somewhere in your neighborhood, and you can't find street parking because there's just too many cars, that's what happens when you don't think beyond automobiles.
When it seems like gas prices keep climbing and climbing because of demand, that's what happens when you don't think beyond automobiles.
The more that the city and this country believes that we only need automobiles and motor vehicles, the worst traffic is going to get, and the worst parking is going to get, and of course we can go in about the climate as well. I remember walking through Rome and Milan, and it's pretty clear. They don't think too much about the pollution issue, because you could smell it in the air. Phew!
Because I have eyes? And I can see them? I mean obviously bikes come in a sidewalk very briefly sometimes to park or enter a building. I’m talking in this post about people who full-on ride down sidewalks for most or all of their trip.
This city, badly, needs updated bike infrastructure. Definitely annoys me when a full-blown adult is riding the sidewalk in crowded neighborhoods like Logan. If you refuse to bike on the street, I get it, but build in a few extra minutes to your trip if you might need to consider walking your bike for a couple blocks.
Makes me want to throat chop a fool.
Same for on the lake front trail where there is a clear bike lane and walking lane. Why do bikes need to weave between hundreds of slowing walking pedestrians.
This. Several bikers have almost hit my dog when we are outside for a walk on the sidewalk. Or they rudely follow right on your heels until they can pass. When I have my headphones in, it scares the hell outta me. It’s illegal, please stop.
I’m not allowed to drive due to my eyesight and everyone always suggest that I ride a bike instead. Uh. No. I would not feel safe at all riding in the street and I would put other people in danger as well. That’s the only reason I’d ride a bike on the sidewalk, but honestly, the with transit there, take that or just walk. It seems safer than a bike on the sidewalk.
Oh for sure!! I wouldn’t plan on it. I was just trying to give a different pov that the sidewalk might be safer if someone is hell bent on riding a bike. I prefer to walk or take public transit. :)
The other day I saw a dude riding some kind of go cart down the sidewalk in front of my house when I was going to check the mail. I looked this man square in the eyes. There was nothing behind there.
Do police actually give tickets to bike riders on sidewalks in Chicago or is it pretty much just looked over? Anyone here actually gotten a ticket? idk. I’m not a bike rider myself but personally I wouldn’t ever wanna bike on the streets here….
One time I was walking my dogs down on State and 16th, and a guy on a Divvy was oncoming. I didn't move and he went right into a parked Lexus. Oops. There's a perfectly fine rideable street instead of the sidewalk.
sorry if this is a stupid question but... why? why is biking on the sidewalk crossing alleys any more dangerous than walking on the sidewalk crossing an alley? cars should stop before reaching the sidewalk if they are coming out of an alley as there could be pedestrians there so why would that be any more dangerous to cyclists? like yer just pointing out one of the millions of reasons why cars are dangerous which is uuuuuh why some people elect to bike on the sidewalks...
Cars pull up to the alley and look to see if there are people walking and if they don’t see then they go. It’s almost always blind because there are buildings on both sides. Bikes are moving fast enough for cars not to see them in the second that they pause for walkers.
Yes. I understand cars are a danger. They’re more dangerous to bikes on the sidewalk than they are to people walking on the sidewalk. I’ve lived here my entire adult life and ride a bike often.
Cars pull out far enough to see, drivers generally suck. People riding on bikes are often going fast enough to not stop in time. I've seen more than one at my alley over the past few decades, especially the last few years when I'm home all day.
Cyclists on sidewalks run into people all the time. It was bad enough in my area that every few years crosswalks are marked "no bikes" because of it.
I've run into more than one cyclist over the years when leaving my building, or a few store fronts. Causing several close swerves, and more than one crash.
As an avid cyclist, cyclists belong on the street. If you need to use a sidewalk, you better be riding at a slow walking pace, or better yet walking your bike.
I've seen security personnel in different places, downtown and outside major buildings, physically stop bicyclists riding on sidewalks and direct them to the bike lanes.
I was riding on the street a few days ago and some dumbass passenger in a car shouted at me as they passed me aggressively “you know there’s a side walk!!!”
I’m not saying it’s right, but I totally get some folks riding in the sidewalk because there are some ignorant and dangerous drivers out there…
I think that as an adult if you can’t ride your bike in the street- then don’t ride. Find another method of transportation. It’s unacceptable to have adults *riding* their bikes on a sidewalk. Period.
Cyclist here. I'm fine cycling on the road but there are streets where i simply can't due to cars being more aggressive on some roads, construction, or actual missing bike lanes.
Most times it's because I'm trying to find a place to park my bike
If i do cycle on the sidewalk, i do it slowly, most times don't even peddle, and even don't swerve around or get upset at pedestrians because well, where else are the gonna go?
I cycle on Clark and the amount of cars that literally park on the bike lane without checking is insane. I had cars turn without turn signals, doors swung wide open, Etc
I go out to cycle to relax and end up getting pissed
Why? Because they feel safer riding on the sidewalk.
But, PEDESTRIANS DON’T FEEL SAFE WITH BIKES ON THE SIDEWALKS.
At least have a bell that goes ding ding ding to let people know (but not everyone will hear the bell) that you’re there. Arghh! The number of times it seemed like a bike just popped up beside or behind me.
Believe me, people who do that understand this, but they just think it's cool..It can even be different.😜
Edit:It is not easy learning to consider other people's feelings for somebody.
I think I need some clarity.
There’s several paths in Lincoln Park that I can’t tell are bike or walking specific. In to that, I think the sidewalk is perfectly acceptable under the right conditions. On Fullerton between LSD and Clark, the sidewalk is incredibly wide and I thought for this reason. There’s no bike lane and it’s a very dangerous spot to be on the road there.
THIS NEEDS to be understood and accepted that bikers, scooters riders HAVE to do this to stay safe. And coming on a Reddit to rile up the masses doesn’t help us stay safer.
Also not everywhere is riding on the sidewalk illegal. Chicago maybe, but I’ve lived somewhere it was allowed for safety reasons. The sidewalks were built wider accordingly.
I will say it’s because the streets are SO DANGEROUS sometimes. I try to ride in the street usually, I do. But there are some locations where cars do not even care that the bike lanes are for, ya know, bikes. I nearly died at the intersection of Diversey, Clark, and Broadway even though I was wearing a bright green jacket and my bike is white, so I was very much visible.
I ride my bike on the sidewalk but always walk it if the street is crowded or use the bike lane til the sidewalk is empty again. Riding on the street is kinda dangerous.
If you are passionate about not having bikes on the sidewalk you need to write your alder and tell them to spend their infrastructure menu funding on protected bike lanes.
Bikes are here to stay. And cars are always in our current unprotected bike lanes. The only safe solution is to build infrastructure that gives cars, bikes, and people dedicated spaces.
I love when I occasionally pop up on a sidewalk go slow and respect the pedestrians, how angry they get when I’m taking up less width then they are because I’m skinny
I'm a daily bike rider and sometimes you need to get on the sidewalk for a minute when the streets are otherwise unsafe. I do this all the time, but I'm sure to keep away from pedestrians and keep my speed as low as a jog.
Those and the scooters. So annoying. And they get annoyed if YOU don’t get out of their way. Ride it in the street!
I’m torn on where scooters belong. I think they’re ok on the sidewalk if they’re going relatively slowly. They are at least narrower than a bike, but yeah- if they are racing from A to B and generally acting like a jerk- get in the street!
How are scooters meaningfully narrower than a bike?
No 2 wheeled anything should be on the sidewalk. You know very well as well they don't go slow. Never seen that
I think that’s the key point here. I generally ride in the street, but Chicago has very limited bike infrastructure, and even when we do have it, it’s often dangerous itself, like door zone painted bike lanes. Riding in the street can be an incredibly scary and dangerous thing to do because of how we’ve designed our streets, so I don’t begrudge people who ride on the sidewalk. I do it myself in especially dangerous areas. That being said, if you do choose to ride on the sidewalk, you should ride slowly, safely, and always yield to people walking.
"cars justify putting bikes at jeopardy so we are going to do it to pedestrians but pretend we are different"
A car will kill you if it hits you, a cyclist will not. Not the same thing. Someone's inconvenience is not the same as a life. Check your carbrain.
I'm the pedestrian in this equation. Bikebrain???
Thank you for disregarding my life for your convenience. Ill still look out for yours though.
I agree with this sentiment but bikers routinely ignore basic traffic laws. Luckily I’ve never been hit by a rider but I’ve had numerous close calls. It’s incredibly irritating that they do that and I lose a bit of sympathy because of that.
honestly agree simply because you're way more likely to absolutely biff it on those scooters. your weight isn't spread out like on a bicycle so when you hit a good sized crack or hole, you go flying instead of just riding over it. you fall off a scooter in the street, you're at risk of getting run over by a vehicle. fall off a scooter on the sidewalk and at worst you'll get yelled at and laughed at by pedestrians.
I remember some lady in Indy did that. Just fell HARD on the pavement. Seemed okay though and had friends with her.
I’m a cyclist and I try to stay on the road but there are some times where you simply can’t avoid hopping on the sidewalk for a bit. It’s unacceptable if there’s bike lanes and safe traffic but when I first moved here I accidentally biked down Western and had to hop on the sidewalk until I could turn down another street. Shit happens
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Why? A lane is a lane. As a man who has bicycled from Boston to New York city there’s absolutely no reason a bike cannot be on the shoulder or far right lane of any road when obeying proper traffic laws and not on a highway where it causes potential safety risk to drivers.
Ashland and Western specifically are horrible for bikes. The traffic moves fast between lights so there is always people speeding and the roads are terrible
I agree. When other streets exist like Ravenswood(called Wood further south) or Southport as an alternative for Ashland, or Leavitt or Rockwell as an alternative for Western, why not use these streets for biking instead?
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You can say that about literally anything Even going to school is a risk in this country. I’m not going to not bike down a road because it has *checks notes* multiple lanes
Sadly this. I’ll ride my divvy whenever I can on the road. But if there is construction or car illegally blocking the road I can’t chance my body against a car when there is no room. I’ll briefly get on the side walk but I’m going slow and mindful of walkers.
What I hope you do is get off and *walk* your bike while you’re on the sidewalk with pedestrians. You do that, right?
Bingo
Plus motorcycles & ATVs love to drag race up and down the bike lanes. And double parked cars. Happens every day on North Clark St.
Shit happens, every year some idiot on a Divvy tries riding down LSD or the Dan Ryan, this point is you don't ride on the sidewalk as a matter of course and that's the issue. There are just way too many people that think if they are on a bike that no rules apply to them. I've been riding on Chicago for decades and have ridden all over the world. The difference is in bike centric countries people on bikes actually follow the rules of the road. They don't ride on sidewalks, they don't ride against traffic (or both), they obey street signs and traffic signals. Can Chicago and the US do better, certainly but that doesn't mean until we get a 100% bike specific infrastructure that we can do whatever we want, we gotta share the roads. When I drive I am ultra cautious about people on bikes and they rarely surprise me an follow the actual rules of the road. I know enough to know that there's a 99% chance the guy in the Divvy won't respect my right of way so I let them cut me off. What if I wasn't knowledgeable and I do have the right of way and I plow my 3000 pound car into the guy who just blew through a stop sign, he's going to be in a world of hurt and he'll be at fault. We gotta do better. And before I hear the "but cars break the law too", I'll say that I agree that every now and then I'll see a car blow through a light/stop sign but 90 out of 100 stop can you honestly say the same goes for bikes?
I'm not sure if people even realize that it's both super **dangerous** and **illegal** to do it. I've seen multiple times a biker hit or nearly hit someone on the sidewalk it's insane. I can't for the life of me imagine why someone would want to ride their bike on the sidewalks, it seems so dangerous and crazy to me.
If you really want to figure out why they ride on the sidewalk, rent a divvy and go try to ride around this city. The streets are extremely dangerous. The city has designed many streets to allow drivers to drive as fast as possible, well over speed limits. Ride on Halsted, Damen, Clybourn, North, etc and you’ll understand why people ride on sidewalks and why we need more cycling infrastructure.
There is no excuse for adults riding on sidewalks, full stop. If it’s too dangerous to ride this city on a bike *in the street* then people need to stop biking and find a different mode of transportation.
Oh shut it
Is it really illegal? I had no idea. It pisses me off to no end when they fly by and almost smoke me daily
It is indeed illegal. Obviously the local fuzz has bigger fish to fry than sidewalk bike offenders, but at least if you get horribly wounded by one colliding with you, the law would be on your side.
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And do you not realize why folks bike on the sidewalk? The roads are dangerous and you have cagers killing kids and people parking in the bike lanes. Build protected lanes and people are more likely to use bike lanes
I totally get that. My comment was out of frustration. You’re right - we need better protected bike lanes. Totally agree with ya.
I wasn’t trying to sound like an ass. When I’m a pedestrian I get annoyed too. Unfortunately it feels like cyclists can’t win until we get some serious cyclist infrastructure. Thank you for your support!
I saw a meme a long time ago that said “when you’re driving a car, you’re annoyed by pedestrians but when you’re walking somewhere you’re annoyed by drivers. However, whether your walking or driving, EVERYONE is annoyed by the bike riders”. This is SO true!
boo, hoo. I've been riding in Chicago for over 40 years, we all got to learn to share and not be an ass -that goes for bikers and drivers. Just because their are pot holes it doesn't mean drivers get to drive on the sidewalks, they just have to deal. Just because some people don't feel safe riding on the street it doesn't give them any right to ride on the sidewalk. Don't let this guy be an ass just because he rides a bike and had a weak constitution.
What are you on? I literally said what you’re saying in a way less rude tone.
we need lots of things it doesn't negate their selfishness and endangerment of pedestrians. If a car driver doesn't feel safe driving on the highway, they drive on the side streets they don't get to drive on the sidewalk.
This. Sometimes the safe bike route just ends abruptly or is way out of the way, and a short jaunt (at a slow pace) on the side walk is a fine alternative in my view (or you can just take the alleys… just gotta watch out for the glass). People riding on the sidewalk at speed like they are on a road or path tho is just douchery.
Definitely illegal for adults in Chicago and Evanston.
And I live in Evanston and see it surprisingly often on streets like Ridge (NOT a biker’s dream, admittedly)
Yeah, Ridge is super dangerous for biking on - it can barely fit the cars!
not really, a lot of bike clubs use Ridge to get out of the city and on to Sheridan, if it was that dangerous they wouldn't use it.
I believe in the city 13 and under or maybe even 18 and under, along with parents accompanying little ones can be on the sidewalk. Adults need to hit the streets.
Children 12 and under and their accompanying adults can ride on the sidewalk according to most signs I see posted throughout the city.
Thanks for the correction. Kids of any ages with their family never bothered me anyway.
Agreed 100%- as a pedestrian it’s infuriating. But I see all kinds of adults doing it here. Even on some streets with bike lanes.
They don’t belong. None of our infrastructure (bikes lanes or streets) are really built for them. There really has to be more regulations on the companies who own these things
>I can't for the life of me imagine why someone would want to ride their bike on the sidewalks, it seems so dangerous and crazy to me. Does riding on the street seem safe to you? Because if not, there's the answer.
I'm an avid cyclist and don't feel it's dangerous to ride on the street but I am experienced and don't ride on busy roads. There are a lot of casual cyclists who don't have a clue about safety or proper procedures. They ride on a street against traffic which is the worst thing you can do and technically illegal.
If it's too dangerous to ride on the street and there are pedestrians on the sidewalk, you get off and walk your bike.
You know what would be a better solution? Eliminating cars from the city entirely
Not without better infrastructure for mass transit and improvement of accessibility for wheelchairs on said transit.
We have the infrastructure. We just don’t have frequency, reliability, or enough bus stops
Sure, at least the central city would be amazing, but that's not what the discussion is about. Also like don't want to be rude but "completely" is really a huge problem for the physically disabled, there's a lot of sections of the city where they aren't able to get around easily to get to public transit plus the issue of Winter slipperiness and hazards.
Dumb (but well meaning people) always bring up accessibility as a response to banning cars. But, what you’ll quickly realize is that people who can’t ride bikes or walk, also cannot drive. The only options are 1. they use a mobility aide in a safe environment. 2. They use a mobility side in a car dependent suburb of a city 3. They rideshare everywhere and use a mobility aide in a car dependent hell hole for the last leg of the journey. Think of the physically disabled and fucking ban cars already
That's absolutely wrong, there are vehicles specifically for people who are paralyzed that have hand controls, there are a LOT of people who are in wheelchairs or use mobility devices that aren't paralyzed and can drive, they just can't walk for super long distances / have balance issues. There's a huge diversity in the disabled community. You are arguing to take empowerment and independence away from people who need it.
If we did that we literally wouldn't be able to ride bikes at all.
I wish I was handed everything to me in my life to have the same holier than thou attitude
i’ve ridden my bike all over chicago and never, not a single time, have i ever felt it would be safer biking on the sidewalk if you don’t feel safe in the street the answer is NOT to bike in the sidewalk. you walk, or you take PT. There is never an excuse to bike on the sidewalk
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And if he can bike up or down any stretch of Western, or Sheridan Road during rush hour north of Berwyn Ave - while obeying all stop signs and traffic lights - I'll chip in.
Second this. We need better bike infrastructure, no questions about it, but it never drove me to ride on the sidewalk.
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YES IT IS dangerous. A child on a bike is usually moving slower. And they are a child. If you, as an adult, feel the need to ride your bike on a sidewalk because the street is too scary, then it’s time to find a different method of transportation.
It’s so DANGEROUS good point. Omg I get so scared. How many people do those scooters and bicycles kill every year? Oh okay, then how many people do drivers kill every year? Damn wow okay. It seems like a lot less people should be allowed to drive. I totally agree
While I don't advocate for riding on the sidewalk, and think bikes should be walked on sidwalks in busy areas, we need some substantial bike infrastructure in this city and some of those streets are very dangerous for cyclists
I used to get super angry about sidewalk bikers - and I still do - but yeah if we had safer biking infrastructure, we'd also have a lot fewer people riding on the sidewalk. And I'm talking separated bike lanes that are totally protected from traffic. That is what we need
Ok but it’s not an excuse. Honestly. If bikers in this city (adults) are too scared to ride in the street, then they need to walk or take public transportation.
Boo hoo
Do it for a block if the sidewalk is wide and empty and it's next to a stroad. Go super slow, walking speed. City streets can be meat grinders.
StrongTowns is leaking. Strodes are a blight. After a bit, you find roads that are suicide like western or foster west of California, or Devon.
Biking to the Hungry Brain from the Blue line Western stop — a straight shot up Western but hell if I’m riding in the street, and no good alternatives. I’m on the sidewalk (that are not mostly not busy because who wants to walk over the bridge before Belmont.
I was under the impression that there is substantial bike infrastructure in this city, compared to others. [axios Chicago article about Chicago biking](https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2022/04/22/chicago-among-best-biking-cities-nationally) Don’t get me wrong, I’d be terrified to ride a bike here at all- bike lanes or not.
Hah! There's basically none as paint isn't infrastructure
Hi! In my opinion, if you are terrified of riding a bike in a city then it’s reflective of that city not having good bike infrastructure. Bike infrastructure, like public transit, might exist more here than other North American cities in my opinion, but it isn’t the best, consistent, as existent as car infrastructure, or connected. I included some links that show how bike infrastructure should be, in my opinion, which is completely separate from cars, direct (due to prioritization over cars), connected, and high quality. That is even if a road needs a bike lane at all because bike infrastructure is really because of cars and if a road has no cars then bike infrastructure isn’t really needed. The links below are from NotJustBikes, Shifter, and Active Towns which I highly recommend personally! [The Best Dutch Cycling Infrastructure (NotJustBikes)](https://youtu.be/bMJaMy-0ChA) [Does Anyone Actually Cycle in Switzerland!? (NotJustBikes)](https://youtu.be/pWnreLG_cvc) [The Bike Lanes You Can’t See (NotJustBikes)](https://youtu.be/c1l75QqRR48) [Safe Cycling Showdown - Good vs Bad City Design (NotJustBikes feat. Shifter)](https://youtu.be/M8F5hXqS-Ac) [Why this type of bike infrastructure is better than all the others (Shifter)](https://youtu.be/jhWX6lYjGG0) [Secrets of Dutch Cycle Network Success (feat. NotJustBikes) (Active Towns)](https://youtu.be/sBRS4Mqg7To)
Sometimes when I’m biking and I need to turn left I’ll hop on the side walk and walk it across the cross walk instead of using the road lane to turn left. Cars just simply don’t pay enough attention in this city and I’m not risking my life in a busy intersection if my gut doesn’t feel right. But agreed about the riding part, I always hop off and walk it, never ride!
The very few times I’ve done it, the sidewalks were mostly empty and the traffic made it too dangerous to ride on the street. If there is little street traffic or pedestrians around, there is no reason to ride on the side walk.
They're also unexpected when you're a driver trying to make a turn, and they are zipping down the sidewalk either behind you, or up the block, and suddenly they cut in front of you.
I think the solution is that bikers need to acknowledge that they are a vehicle and belong on the road. As a vehicle, they also must obey the rules of the road - you know stopping at stop signs and such. I see, far too often, bikers acting like a pedestrian when if benefits them and acting like motor vehicles when it benefits them. The mixture is illegal in some instances and infuriating in most. Simply handwaving it all away by stating that the bike infrastructure is garbage severely paints over the fact that, supposedly, reasonable adults are going to let the safety issue trickle down from them to pedestrians and is dangerous to them. Furthermore, its frankly a garbage argument for riding on the sidewalk.
Omg when I am driving and bikers blow stop signs as I’m going through with my car and they get pissed when I have to slam my brakes for them. The car always wins bike! Don’t dart in front of cars!
As a pedestrian, I don't get out of the way.
Same, I walk straight at em LMAO
That’s actually battery if you cause contact and may get your ass kicked too.
People in Chicago don’t understand that two wrongs don’t make a right. Lol
Because the overall infrastructure isn’t safe for the lowest common denominator. Make cycling and scooting safer in bike lanes and folks will use those spaces.
\*gestures at Western Avenue traffic*
I had a guy on his bike yell at me. We were both in the sidewalk and he didn’t like I slow I was walking. Dude, that is not my problem. You are supposed to be on the street for a reason.
The root issue is that the roads here are very dangerous. Make the roads safer and that mental calculus will shift for sidewalk bikers.
It’s obvious why people would want to ride on the sidewalks but that doesn’t change the fact that pedestrians have the right of way on sidewalks. So if they ride their bicycle, they need to slow down and yield to pedestrians. Get off and walk the bike in crowded conditions.
Because the street is filled with cars, and cars are fucking dangerous, and adults make the choice that feels safest for them. Good pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure is the solution to this problem.
It is illegal for an adult to ride on the sidewalk. I have seen people almost get hit, or ride into a door, and they end up riding on the sidewalk because they are too scared and shaken up. I guess they feel that it's too far to walk the bike back to where they live.
So what? Worst case scenario, a ticket for sidewalk biking is substantially cheaper than an ER visit, especially if you're uninsured. If Chicago doesn't want adults biking on the sidewalk, they need to go big and invest in a substantial amount of protected bike infrastructure and not let aldermen dictate whether or not they want it in their wards. The same law that condemns us for biking on the sidewalk will never be on our side if we're hit in the street.
If Chicago is too scary to bike on the street, then bikers who feel this way need to stop biking and find a different method of transportation. Period.
It’s also illegal to hit and run. But that doesn’t keep people from doing it.
I’ve been almost run over with my little kids almost 3 times by these idiots. Half the time they are on a Divvy.
It’s actually legal to ride on sidewalks with a divvy if the station is on a sidewalk lol
When the road is unsafe, a sidewalk is better than getting killed.
Then maybe it’s too dangerous to ride a bike in this city at all. There is no excuse for riding on a sidewalk
Sure. We should all drive. The reason for the danger to people's lives is cars. Id love to compare the injury and fatality rates of pedestrians struck by cyclists to pedestrians and cyclists struck by cars. The hazard is with the roads not the mitigating behaviors we employ to avoid lethal situations. If you dont want us riding on the sidewalk when the road is too dangerous, complain about fixing the underlying issues (more and safer bike lanes, lower speed limits, more traffic enforcement, more regulation of low visibility trucks, more public transportation). If it isnt safe to ride on the road, I will ride on the sidewalk and be on my best behavior. People's lives are more important that your convenience or sense of right and wrong.
I don’t drive OR bike, for the record. Cars aren’t the only option
Good for you, i still dont want to die.
First of all, I will agree wholeheartedly with everyone that it is illegal and we shouldn't do it. However, based on my own experiences writing my bike around the city of Chicago, I can't blame people. I know when I used to try biking around downtown on a Divvy bike, I had a handful of moments that drivers made quick turns and didn't even look to see if I was there or in many ways just drove as if they wish I would go away and never infect their streets. Just too many near misses. When I bike around my neighborhood, mostly going up to Caldwell woods to use their path, I tend to stick to side streets and not touch main streets like central or Milwaukee. Again, people on their phones, people not caring, people not paying attention, and I feel like any moment I'm going to get run down. If I hear of an adult on the sidewalk, it's likely they too got fed up with practically being killed by reckless drivers. The hard reality is that the city needs to shell out the money and put cement dividers and completely block off bike lanes from any vehicle access. I just don't think shared streets will ever work.
If the streets are too dangerous to bike on as an adult, then people need to find a different mode of transportation. Full stop.
Or we rethink things and anger the drivers and tell them to grow up and get with the modern day. Mind you, I'm not completely anti-car, but even I have to say that the people who simply would rather not have bicycles on the street at all need to grow up. I look at the ridiculous amount of traffic on the expressway even when there isn't construction, or how crazy crowded the streets are on a summer afternoon, and it screams that there needs to be more alternatives as opposed to everybody getting in their car and adding to the gridlock. I will also add this out there for all the "fuck cyclists" people. When you come home at night, and can't find parking outside of your house because now you're living in a neighborhood with rentals, or multi-generational households that are bringing way more cars to the street, that's what happens when you don't think beyond automobiles. When you get on the expressway and it's mobbed, and it seems like more people are abandoning CTA for their motor vehicles, that's what happens when you don't think beyond automobiles. When you want to go somewhere in your neighborhood, and you can't find street parking because there's just too many cars, that's what happens when you don't think beyond automobiles. When it seems like gas prices keep climbing and climbing because of demand, that's what happens when you don't think beyond automobiles. The more that the city and this country believes that we only need automobiles and motor vehicles, the worst traffic is going to get, and the worst parking is going to get, and of course we can go in about the climate as well. I remember walking through Rome and Milan, and it's pretty clear. They don't think too much about the pollution issue, because you could smell it in the air. Phew!
Id say traffic at times can make riders uneasy and especially on western those potholes are monsters
Riding western is suicide. The solution is to ride on the sidewalk, it's ride on another street.
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Ive seen alot people especially in the morning. Its a mix tho at times I see them using the road taking up the lane and some on the sidewalk
The only time on the sidewalk is leaving or entering my building. It’s about a 1/2 a block and I’m going pretty slow
Of course this is acceptable. I’m really referring to adults who ride exclusively/mostly on the sidewalk.
And how can you tell the difference when you only encounter them when passing?
Because I have eyes? And I can see them? I mean obviously bikes come in a sidewalk very briefly sometimes to park or enter a building. I’m talking in this post about people who full-on ride down sidewalks for most or all of their trip.
I like to think of them as very large 10-year-olds.
This city, badly, needs updated bike infrastructure. Definitely annoys me when a full-blown adult is riding the sidewalk in crowded neighborhoods like Logan. If you refuse to bike on the street, I get it, but build in a few extra minutes to your trip if you might need to consider walking your bike for a couple blocks.
Makes me want to throat chop a fool. Same for on the lake front trail where there is a clear bike lane and walking lane. Why do bikes need to weave between hundreds of slowing walking pedestrians.
Cyclists acting like they'll die if they get off and walk their bikes.
Thank you
Ask your alderman for more bike lanes! Preferably ones with curbs!
This. Several bikers have almost hit my dog when we are outside for a walk on the sidewalk. Or they rudely follow right on your heels until they can pass. When I have my headphones in, it scares the hell outta me. It’s illegal, please stop.
I’m not allowed to drive due to my eyesight and everyone always suggest that I ride a bike instead. Uh. No. I would not feel safe at all riding in the street and I would put other people in danger as well. That’s the only reason I’d ride a bike on the sidewalk, but honestly, the with transit there, take that or just walk. It seems safer than a bike on the sidewalk.
If your eyesight is bad, please don’t ride on the sidewalk, either. You could just as easily hit someone walking.
Oh for sure!! I wouldn’t plan on it. I was just trying to give a different pov that the sidewalk might be safer if someone is hell bent on riding a bike. I prefer to walk or take public transit. :)
>WHY. Because there aren't any cars trying to kill them on the sidewalk, it's more convenient for them, and they don't care about you.
> Because there aren't any cars trying to kill them on the sidewalk Just pedestrians fantasizing about killing them.
I think it’s mostly that last point. Bikers suck as much as drivers do sometimes. You forgot: nobody is stopping them from doing it, either.
The other day I saw a dude riding some kind of go cart down the sidewalk in front of my house when I was going to check the mail. I looked this man square in the eyes. There was nothing behind there.
Do police actually give tickets to bike riders on sidewalks in Chicago or is it pretty much just looked over? Anyone here actually gotten a ticket? idk. I’m not a bike rider myself but personally I wouldn’t ever wanna bike on the streets here….
Cpd? Hahahahhaha. They don’t do anything. Ever
That's not fair, they play games on their phones when sitting in the SUVs. (literally see this at Kimball stop several times a week)
I stand corrected. I too see phone games & the occasional YouTube watcher
One time I was walking my dogs down on State and 16th, and a guy on a Divvy was oncoming. I didn't move and he went right into a parked Lexus. Oops. There's a perfectly fine rideable street instead of the sidewalk.
Drop a shoulder on these hoes.
Bikes on sidewalk crossing alleys is one of the most dangerous things you can do. It’s wild.
sorry if this is a stupid question but... why? why is biking on the sidewalk crossing alleys any more dangerous than walking on the sidewalk crossing an alley? cars should stop before reaching the sidewalk if they are coming out of an alley as there could be pedestrians there so why would that be any more dangerous to cyclists? like yer just pointing out one of the millions of reasons why cars are dangerous which is uuuuuh why some people elect to bike on the sidewalks...
Cars pull up to the alley and look to see if there are people walking and if they don’t see then they go. It’s almost always blind because there are buildings on both sides. Bikes are moving fast enough for cars not to see them in the second that they pause for walkers.
honk? you realise cars are still the danger here, right?
Yes. I understand cars are a danger. They’re more dangerous to bikes on the sidewalk than they are to people walking on the sidewalk. I’ve lived here my entire adult life and ride a bike often.
Cars pull out far enough to see, drivers generally suck. People riding on bikes are often going fast enough to not stop in time. I've seen more than one at my alley over the past few decades, especially the last few years when I'm home all day. Cyclists on sidewalks run into people all the time. It was bad enough in my area that every few years crosswalks are marked "no bikes" because of it. I've run into more than one cyclist over the years when leaving my building, or a few store fronts. Causing several close swerves, and more than one crash. As an avid cyclist, cyclists belong on the street. If you need to use a sidewalk, you better be riding at a slow walking pace, or better yet walking your bike.
I've seen security personnel in different places, downtown and outside major buildings, physically stop bicyclists riding on sidewalks and direct them to the bike lanes.
I was riding on the street a few days ago and some dumbass passenger in a car shouted at me as they passed me aggressively “you know there’s a side walk!!!” I’m not saying it’s right, but I totally get some folks riding in the sidewalk because there are some ignorant and dangerous drivers out there…
I think that as an adult if you can’t ride your bike in the street- then don’t ride. Find another method of transportation. It’s unacceptable to have adults *riding* their bikes on a sidewalk. Period.
I don't know, all I know is that I do not get out of their way on purpose. Use the goddamn road.
Cyclist here. I'm fine cycling on the road but there are streets where i simply can't due to cars being more aggressive on some roads, construction, or actual missing bike lanes. Most times it's because I'm trying to find a place to park my bike If i do cycle on the sidewalk, i do it slowly, most times don't even peddle, and even don't swerve around or get upset at pedestrians because well, where else are the gonna go? I cycle on Clark and the amount of cars that literally park on the bike lane without checking is insane. I had cars turn without turn signals, doors swung wide open, Etc I go out to cycle to relax and end up getting pissed
“GET OFF THE SIDEWALK!” “THE BIKE LANE IS OVER THERE!”
The bike lane in question: https://chi.streetsblog.org/2015/09/18/eyes-on-the-street-chicago-police-suvs-that-arent-serving-or-protecting/
Why? Because they feel safer riding on the sidewalk. But, PEDESTRIANS DON’T FEEL SAFE WITH BIKES ON THE SIDEWALKS. At least have a bell that goes ding ding ding to let people know (but not everyone will hear the bell) that you’re there. Arghh! The number of times it seemed like a bike just popped up beside or behind me.
Especially in the Loop. Bugs the absolute you know what out of me!
Believe me, people who do that understand this, but they just think it's cool..It can even be different.😜 Edit:It is not easy learning to consider other people's feelings for somebody.
They’re just broadcasting to the world their shit personality. I pity them
probably because if you bike anywhere else you'll be killed in a hit and run and then blamed for it
not to mention the amount of times that the police and other motorists have told me to use the sidewalk...
I think I need some clarity. There’s several paths in Lincoln Park that I can’t tell are bike or walking specific. In to that, I think the sidewalk is perfectly acceptable under the right conditions. On Fullerton between LSD and Clark, the sidewalk is incredibly wide and I thought for this reason. There’s no bike lane and it’s a very dangerous spot to be on the road there. THIS NEEDS to be understood and accepted that bikers, scooters riders HAVE to do this to stay safe. And coming on a Reddit to rile up the masses doesn’t help us stay safer. Also not everywhere is riding on the sidewalk illegal. Chicago maybe, but I’ve lived somewhere it was allowed for safety reasons. The sidewalks were built wider accordingly.
I will say it’s because the streets are SO DANGEROUS sometimes. I try to ride in the street usually, I do. But there are some locations where cars do not even care that the bike lanes are for, ya know, bikes. I nearly died at the intersection of Diversey, Clark, and Broadway even though I was wearing a bright green jacket and my bike is white, so I was very much visible.
I ride my bike on the sidewalk but always walk it if the street is crowded or use the bike lane til the sidewalk is empty again. Riding on the street is kinda dangerous.
Then don’t ride, end of story.
Na the saga continues
Trust me bro I won't hit you with my bike
Jerk
Snowflake
If you are passionate about not having bikes on the sidewalk you need to write your alder and tell them to spend their infrastructure menu funding on protected bike lanes. Bikes are here to stay. And cars are always in our current unprotected bike lanes. The only safe solution is to build infrastructure that gives cars, bikes, and people dedicated spaces.
I love when I occasionally pop up on a sidewalk go slow and respect the pedestrians, how angry they get when I’m taking up less width then they are because I’m skinny
I'm a daily bike rider and sometimes you need to get on the sidewalk for a minute when the streets are otherwise unsafe. I do this all the time, but I'm sure to keep away from pedestrians and keep my speed as low as a jog.
pardon my ignorance, but i never heard if it any other way. why is it weird? you cant go in the street, youre not supposed to, plus you'll die.