Is This Necessary?
- For motorists who think bicyclists in Chicago have been granted unconditional rights to violate every traffic law on the books, authorities were out in force today to suggest otherwise.
The sting was conducted at only one intersection near downtown, and only for two hours during the morning rush. But the site that was chosen is a complex intersection that’s a magnet for bicycling commuters, widespread disregard for red lights, and plenty of accidents and close calls, officials said.
Some 240 warnings and one ticket were issued by the end of the law enforcement and education operation, which was aimed at bicyclists pedaling through red lights and taking over crosswalks meant for pedestrians only, officials said. It was carried out by the Chicago Police Department, the Chicago Department of Transportation and the City of Chicago’s Bicycling Ambassadors program in what officials dubbed a “share the road” campaign.
OK, we know we've been beating the "mob beatings" stories pretty much to death the past few days, but for good reason. And we know that bikers are pretty much operating with impunity in Chicago. But 240 warning tickets?
Wouldn't we have been better served cracking down on the beaches? We're short manpower across the board and downtown is spiraling out of control. How about we shut off the main fire at the source before we worry about the outlying brush fires? We don't think the disobedient cyclists are going to be impacting the tourism trade with their antics any time soon. And if a few get run over when they're being assholes, well, that's Darwinism for you - send a traffic car, conduct an investigation, ticket the at-fault party.
Wouldn't we have been better served cracking down on the beaches? We're short manpower across the board and downtown is spiraling out of control. How about we shut off the main fire at the source before we worry about the outlying brush fires? We don't think the disobedient cyclists are going to be impacting the tourism trade with their antics any time soon. And if a few get run over when they're being assholes, well, that's Darwinism for you - send a traffic car, conduct an investigation, ticket the at-fault party.
Labels: dumb ideas
posted by SCC at 12:01 AM
49 Comments:
Another brilliant idea by a brilliant superintendent! Or maybe the idiots under him want to embarrass him more in order to try and take his job! Turn the knife that is what the wasteful exempt structure is good for!
I'm gonna get drunk & ride my bike around!
Will J-Fled still give me a ride home if I get a flat?
'Cuz I miss him, you know...we were buddies...I miss his 'lil eyes and his greazy forehead. My widdle caveman! Wanna go get flapjacks at Steak 'n Eggers, Jodi?
Wouldn't we have been better served cracking down on the beaches? We're short manpower across the board and downtown is spiraling out of control.
Nope, lets issue warnings to the mobs of shitheads that will fix the problem!
The timing of it all makes it appear that CDP is looking for self-validation to some.
By that I mean that we seem to be either unwilling or unable to control the mob violence or the shootings so we need to go after seat belt violations and bicycle "scofflaws" the soft targets.
Beside the soft targets most likely have a job and we can get tax revenue from them by writing violations. It's not about safety -- it's about tax revenue and validating that you have control over something right? Making your presence felt in a misguided way.
If the direction is to go after the scofflaws as part of the "Broken Windows" mindset I would suggest that we go after the illegal immigrant's that are scoffing the laws.
Go after the investment mortgage bankers in Illinois with there fraudulent forecloses and the mockery that they are making of the entire system by scoffing the laws.
The city is whining for revenue and there's a golden opportunity right in front of us in bringing the bankers to justice.. and we fail to do anything.
You know, start at the top where the real money and problems are and work your way down.
Don't start at the bottom trying to address the problems created by the events at the top and work your way up.
Until we do we send the impression that we don't have laws and they don't mean anything.
The laws are just recommendations really to pick and choose from which ones will implement today and ignore tomorrow.
It seems like a waste of time, with all the other bullshit going on. However, I'm an avid cyclist and get extremely pissed off when other cyclist don't obey the rules of the road. 240 tickets and 1 warning might have been a better start!
That sense of entitlement might not feel so good as you're flying through the air after getting plowed into by a 6000lb auto!
If they can do this, why can't something be done about those idiot Critical Mass bikers who take over the roads for hours on the last friday of every month. I would rather see them put in their place for the problems they create. Now that would be worthwhile....
Well, if they want to do another of these, could they please hit the Logan Boulevard, Milwaukee Ave and Kedzie Boulevard area? Idiots biking the wrong way around the one-way traffic circle, sending cars squealing left and right to avoid them in oncoming traffic, not stopping for lights or the stop signs, making a confusing and difficult street situation that much worse and playing chicken ON THE SIDEWALKS with the pedestrians leaving the CTA station.
Yes, the wildings are important, but that doesn't mean there's nothing else in the city that requires police attention.
Warning tickets? That just burns my rear end. If they were stopping cars, it wouldn't be 'warning' tickets. The bicyclists who refuse to follow the rules should be FINED, not warned.
These yuppy cyclists think they own the damn road. I cant wait for the day I have to exit my squad in a hurry and send one of them flying thru the air!
I've made numerous bicyclists Unit 1 on crash reports and issued them ANOV's for traffic violations.
They probably used the useless traffic section. They're usually nowhere to be found for accidents on LSD, where they should be.
I have lived in River North area for the past 14 years and I don't think I have ever seen one cyclist stop for a red light or stop sign.
try the cab drivers who think chicago is their own fucking playground. to the downtown officer i saw months ago writting a cabbie a ticket, you make me proud! seriously. those assholes are half the cause of any accidents, running into cars buildings people. this isnt nigeria learn how to drive.
I understand the city has a million and crimes and issues going on but that dosnt mean you ignore ALL of the petty shit thats a pain in the ass to everyone else like mainly just cab drivers (and bikers) Theres a difference in making a living and driving like a piece of shit asshole.
the only way the bikers bother me is when those fuckers just fly around like they can do whatever they want,
hey dumbass im in an over 1,000 pound metal object, im going to win. then of course its always the drivers fault because how could it not be,
give me a break.
its about time someone cracked down on these hippies, same people getting robbed by honor students anyways.
SCC,
I was@ this bike enforcement detail Tuesday am. We did not issue 240 warnings, maybe 40 at the most. Besides the warnings were more like pep talks by CDOT, with bike saftey in mind. I will agree it seems petty in the wake of what's going on in 018, but these hippies on bikes are becomming a huge problem on Milwaukee Ave for both 013 & 014. The citation issued was well deserved.
What is a "warning ticket?"
I have not seen one in 25 years here. I missed when that one started I guess.
We need to crush this out of control bicycle wilding...
NOW!
It's not a dumb idea at all, SCC. When you come close to making a hood ornament of a reckless cyclist who has darted directly in front of the path of your personal car or squad, you'll agree. Many cyclists have no respect of the traffic laws; hopefully, these enforcement missions will go far in educating bikers that it's in their best interest to ride responsibly.
The Next Time some biker cuts you off in the intersection, you screech to a halt and get rear ended...revisit this topic.
Vehicular Code APPLIES to all.
Just like you have to park your M plate legally, you have to stop for lights and stop signs on your Bike.
Try to catch the bicyclist...They can dart thru traffic fairly fast...
Where do I get a ticket book to issue WARNINGS?
As much as I hate the bad bikers (you motorcycle guys too) I always figure the laws of natural selection will one day catch up to them.
There are plenty of bad drivers, too, but the percentages go way up on two wheels. I hope the coppers investigating those crashes do there job well and protect the real victim.
How about issuing actual tickets? My fellow biker numbskulls won't learn until it hits them in the pocketbook, or it lands them in the morgue.
Re: It seems like a waste of time, with all the other bullshit going on. However, I'm an avid cyclist and get extremely pissed off when other cyclist don't obey the rules of the road. 240 tickets and 1 warning might have been a better start!...
Roadie anon, I prefer natural selecection that the rules of the road. If people want cyclists to obey the laws we need laws made for cyclist not cars, (e.g. a red light is a yeild, must yeild to pedestrians going through the walk, ect.)
P.S. cars don't follow the letter of the law here either, and cops have very little regaurd for moving violations themselve. In fact I find it great fun to blow a light and then see the cop car behind me follow.
RE: Warning tickets? That just burns my rear end. If they were stopping cars, it wouldn't be 'warning' tickets. The bicyclists who refuse to follow the rules should be FINED, not warned.
They aren't cars, cars kill people. How many people died from getting hit by a bike.
The issues of less police manpower and cracking down on bad cyclist behavior are mutually exclusive, in my opinion.
I commute to work daily on my bike from May to October. While there are many horrible car drivers out there, there's also a ton of morons on bikes who break every road rule in the book, go thru red lights, ride wrong ways, use sidewalks, etc etc.
If they were putting themselves alone at risk, that would be one thing. But when they force cars and other riders to react to some of the dumb things they do, now the level of risk is elevated and others can get hurt or killed.
I was happy to see CPD doing this yesterday, and had a decent chat with an officer on my ride home. They are enforcing basic rules of the road, and rather than get slammed for it or be told that they should be rounding up flash mobs downtown, they should be commended.
If I was the one that got the only ticket I'd sue. that's some funny shit. How would you like to be the only asshole cited out of 240 warnings. he must have been a real dickhead. and the best part is i'd probably win millions in this fucked up ass city.
TWO points to be considered here
1) In the scheme of things, bike enforcement ranks well below the 'gang wildings.' (NOTE: These are 'NOT' teen flash-mobs)
2) The arrogant, disrespectful cyclists, especially bike messengers that squeeze between stopped cars, blow red lights, cut through vehicular and pedestrian traffic, drive in the middle of the lane/street as if they were part of traffic, yet feel that 'traffic rules of the road' don't apply to them, drive on the sidewalk, cut you off then give you the finger when you alert them by blowing the horn etc. ALL need to be held responsible as well.
The main concern is how, when, where and whom will enforce BOTH issues with a limited amount of manpower and protocol that doesn't recognize 'priorities?'
"How about we shut off the main fire at the source before we worry about the outlying brush fires?"
That doesn't fit with Supt. McDreamy's broken windows bullsh*t.
Years ago you just stuck your nightstick in their spokes.
I've made numerous bicyclists Unit 1 on crash reports and issued them ANOV's for traffic violations.
6/08/2011 01:22:00 AM
Ooooh, I LIKE you.
Make running through a stop light on a bicycle a forcible felony.
They should make these people get bicycle licenses, insurance and license plates on their bikes. They cause way too many problems on the road not to mention their attitude problems too.
I guess the one who got the only ticket must have been a real winner, eh?
where's JFLED We will want him back jerseyshore is a box o rocks
'If they can do this, why can't something be done about those idiot Critical Mass bikers who take over the roads for hours on the last friday of every month. I would rather see them put in their place for the problems they create. Now that would be worthwhile....'
Simple, get CFD to unroll a fire hose and 'sweep' the crap off the street.
This group could go out in any neighborhood, and they should, and pass out real tickets as well. How many times have you passed the same bicyclist going to work as he cruises through each red light that you stop at?? I try to give them a little space, but they are some of the worst offenders out there, and I get tired passing the same guy 1/2 a dozen times on the way to work.
Most of the bicycle problems are caused over near the lakefront by twentysomething trendies. It's like a beehive sometimes.
Remember the one who ran a red light while street racing and got killed? There was another one riding his zoomy triple-butted deluxe Whatever the wrong way on the freaking expressway when he got it. The SUV that hit him had to be towed away...
This is a very big city, though, and about 95% of this particular problem is concentrated into 5% of the space. Everything is pretty much OK everywhere else. The lakefront is an anomaly.
Giant flash mob vs. Critical Mass.
Please.
the bikers on the roadway are subject to the same laws and rules as cars. The best thing about, they have to be taken in and either pay a bond or given an I bond. There license is not valid for bond because they werent driving a car.
They need to ticket more of these tree hugging yuppie-hipsters. They are frigging dangerous! 95% of the time they disregard all traffic laws, ride in crosswalks, and run over people crossing the street. I picked up one of these douchebags yesterday who said this was the 4th time he was hit by a car! And guess what, he was listening to his iPod and blew a red light and got smacked by a tourist in a retal car.
CFD FF
I've made more than one bike rider and pedestrian a unit 1. If you are at fault, you are at fault---doesn't matter if you are driving a car, a bike or on foot. Why screw over a motorist who was in the right and some jagballs rolls through a stop sign when you have no traffic controls for your street?
RE: Warning tickets? That just burns my rear end. If they were stopping cars, it wouldn't be 'warning' tickets. The bicyclists who refuse to follow the rules should be FINED, not warned.
They aren't cars, cars kill people. How many people died from getting hit by a bike.
6/08/2011 08:58:00 AM
Actually my mother's co-worker died from being hit by a bike. Skull fracture.
And that's not the point. Once again, we have an entire group of people who feel they are somehow entitled. THEY are the only ones exempt from the rules.
The hipsters have web site calling for closing milwaukee ave. To cars, bikes only.
I never laughed so hard, these people are soft I tell you.
Hey can I say I really hate Critical Mass, I REALLY HATE THOSE CRITICAL MASS ASSHOLES !!!
WOW! As a cyclist who deals with driver harassment on almost a daily basis AND obeys the traffic laws, I think a "share the road" initiative should be targeting MOTORISTS who can kill us with their malevolent behavior rather than the other way around. Granted I am not from Chicago but with your track record of "mobbings," you are right to proclaim cops could have served the community better. I will be making a call to the station to voice my concern first thing tomorrow!
to 10.47pm,,,,save your breath, you'll call the station, say your piece and the officer will be polite and then say "fuck you" after he hangs up the phone.
Biker: "who's streets? our streets!" Cop: "don't sue me!"
18th here, a cyclist and a no-car person. I'm at the point of wanting to scream (or kick) these biking morons who are on the damn sidewalk.
--No Cop Here
I agree.. energy should be re-focused to the real problem and not the bicyclist. I think if you are going to ride your bike in traffic you should also be aware of the risks. If you get hit, oh well, shame on you.
I have never heard of Mob flashes until just a month ago. I can not comprehend this tremendous stupidity that is occurring here in Chicago. Something seriously needs to be done about this. What can be done about this... Good questions. This is going to be a tough one.
WOW! As a cyclist who deals with driver harassment on almost a daily basis AND obeys the traffic laws, I think a "share the road" initiative should be targeting MOTORISTS who can kill us with their malevolent behavior rather than the other way around. Granted I am not from Chicago but with your track record of "mobbings," you are right to proclaim cops could have served the community better. I will be making a call to the station to voice my concern first thing tomorrow!
6/08/2011 10:47:00 PM
This is supposed to be filed under sarcasm and silliness, right? Because you can NOT be for real.
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