July 23, 1999

To:Councillor Jack Layton

From: Ben Smith Lea <bsmithlea@oise.utoronto.ca>

Subject: Article re Bike Lane Encroachment

 The following article by Fran Spielman, City Hall Reporter, Chicago Sun Times, July 21, 1999, headed "City may crack down on bike lane encroachments", should shame us into action. As a City, we have taken the attitude that there is nothing that can be done about bike lane violations, when the experience of other cities shows that there are options.

"Drivers who swerve into bike lanes and use them to stand and double-park would face $100 fines and vehicle impoundment, under a crackdown proposed Tuesday by the city's No. 1 cyclist: Mayor Daley.

"If motorists are going to place their personal convenience above the safety of Chicago's bicyclists, they had better be prepared to pay for it," said Transportation Commissioner Thomas Walker.

The plan would add teeth to an ordinance that does nothing to prevent drivers from infringing on the 30 miles of bike lanes on major streets, including Wells, Milwaukee, Elston, Halsted and King Drive.

Bike lane encroachment is the No. 1 complaint among the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation's 2,500 members.

"Chicago drivers are opportunists. Whether a lane is marked or not, if two cars can fit on it at the same time, they'll do it," said federation spokesman Steve Buchtel.

The city's goal is to "raise the consciousness" of drivers to share the road and keep the 5-foot bike lanes open for safe cycling, said Ben Gomberg, the city's bicycle coordinator.

"Double-parking and standing are the biggest problems. Someone may be stopping to pick something up, drop someone off or get a cup of coffee and decide to use the bike lane," Gomberg said.

Daley, who prides himself on taking 100-mile-plus bike rides near his Michigan summer home, has been on a 10-year campaign to make Chicago more friendly to bicycles.

The ordinance, to be introduced by the mayor at today's City Council meeting, would slap drivers who "drive in, stand in, park in or double-park in any on-street bike path or bike lane" with a $100 fine--up from $25--and empower police to tow their vehicles to the city auto pound."

  Ben Smith Lea

Advocacy for Respect for Cyclists