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| Myths of motorists and bicyclists |
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By Bob Hoel Elmhurst Bike Task Force It is time to dispel some commonly held ideas about the separate and combined rights and responsibilities of motorists and bicyclists. Myth #1: Bicyclists should ride only on sidewalks or trails. False. By the laws of the State of Illinois, bicyclists are permitted to ride on the streets and, in fact, local communities can prohibit cyclists from riding on sidewalks in designated areas. In Elmhurst, for example, bicyclists may not ride on the sidewalk in the business districts such as those located downtown, at York and Vallette, and on Spring Road. These areas are clearly marked with signs to indicate that cycling is not allowed on the sidewalks. If, however, the bicyclist steps off the bicycle and walks it, she becomes a pedestrian and may walk the bike on those same sidewalks. It is also recommended that children under the age of 12 or without an adult ride their bikes on the sidewalk until they acquire the necessary skills for riding on the street. District 205 does not allow children younger than third grade to bike to school as these younger children have not yet developed the motor and observational skills required for safe biking. Finally, motorists are not expecting a fast-moving object on the sidewalk and so they are not looking for bicyclists crossing intersections on the sidewalk. A motorist is, however, on the lookout for other vehicles on the roadway. There is a better chance you will be observed by motorists if you are on the road. Statistically, a bicyclist riding on the sidewalk is more likely to be struck by a motorist at an intersection than a bicyclist riding on right side of the road. Myth #2: Bicyclists and motorists do not need to stop for stop signs. False. Just as many bicyclists, to their possible detriment, run stop signs and run the risk of being killed. We see all too many motorists who either make a feigned attempt to stop (the proverbial “rolling stop”) or just slow down to look both ways and continue ahead at street speed. The difference is that 200 pounds of cyclist and bike will never win out against a 4000-pound vehicle. Myth #3: Once a bicyclist can successfully pedal down the block on their own, he/she has learned all there is to know. False. This would be like saying that once you know how to start the car, you are ready to drive on the road. First, because they have to follow the Rules of the Road just like motorists, bicyclists need to be trained in those rules. Rules of the Road training typically doesn't come until driver’s education at around the age of 16. Second, driving and bicycling is more than just traveling down the street. Often it requires reacting to unexpected behaviors from others on the road, so the ability to deal with the unexpected is important. These skills can be acquired in bike safety classes. The Elmhurst Park District offers these periodically, as well as activities at Safety Town for the younger set. Myth #4: Motorists can drive as close to a bicyclist as desired, as long as you don’t hit them. False. In 2008, the Illinois State Legislature enacted a safety-related law that requires a motorist to leave at least three feet clearance when passing. Often that means you won't be able to "squeeze by" in the same lane. Myth #5: It is okay to go around a bicyclist and make a right turn in front of them because they are so much slower on the road. False. This is the third most frequent cause of motorist/bicyclist accidents and deaths each year, usually under the wheels of a vehicle. You wouldn't think of pulling around a slow moving car to make a right turn in front of them, so you shouldn’t do that with a cyclist. It's easy to misjudge how fast a cyclist is going. Myth #6: Bicyclists are allowed to “scoot” up on the right side of a line of stopped cars in order to get to the front of the line. False. As a vehicle on the road, a bicycle should wait its turn in the line of vehicles waiting at a stop sign or traffic control device. As a bicyclist, pulling up on the right is just setting you up to be “right-hooked” by a car. Further, just as cars are required to maintain a distance of three feet between their vehicle and a bicycle, a cyclist should not deliberately violate this distance with such maneuver. Myth #7: It is okay for a bicyclist or a motorist to text message while operating their vehicle. False. Effective January 1, 2010, it is illegal in Illinois to write, send or receive text messages while driving. Fines start at $75. These infractions are often caught in conjunction with another, such as speeding, etc. All the authorities need to do to prove their case is to subpoena the cell phone records from your provider. Myth # 8: Signaling a turn or stop is optional. False. Only by using your signals will those around you know what your next action will be. Drivers communicate that by using their turn signals and brake lights; bicyclists use their arms to point left or right for turns or a straight opened hand down and facing back to indicate slowing. The bottom line is that there are a lot of myths and misconceptions about the role of bicyclists and motorists in action. The important thing is they are courteous and respectful of each other. For more information, please send an e-mail to: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it |
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