Like motorists, cyclists need to follow rules and respect others

The recent articles about cycling that appeared in the Chicago Sun-Times were wellwritten and informative. Drivers do need to keep an eye on cyclists and understand the dangers they face. But there are also many cyclists who endanger themselves, other cyclists, pedestrians and motorists.

Everyone on our streets is expected to follow the rules of the road. Yet, cyclists blow by stop signs so often that, when I see one who stops, I roll down my window to say thank you. I’ve also seen so many cyclists weave in and out of traffic, and I know pedestrians who have been struck by them.

The stretch of Sheridan Road where I live doesn’t permit cycling on the sidewalk and has signs saying so. Still, cyclists ride on the sidewalk every day. When I ask them to walk their bikes, many tell me to get out of their way — even after they are told pedestrians have been hit and that at least one died.

Some cyclists who ride at night don’t attach lights or good reflectors on their bicycles or clothing. That might work on well-lit main streets, but it can be deadly on side streets. I have almost hit a couple of these cyclists. No doubt, the motorist would be blamed for any damage or physical harm in such scenarios.

Finally, where there are well-marked pedestrian and bike lanes on the lakefront trail and other places, all parties need to stay in their lanes. The problem is that we have both “disappearing” bike and pedestrian lanes. That needs to be fixed. Often when a pedestrian lane stops and there is a bike lane, walkers end up using bike lanes, putting them at risk of being hit by a cyclist.

Judith Markowitz, Edgewater