With 100 miles of bike lanes installed throughout Chicago and the peak bicycle-riding season here at last, City officials are reminding motorists that parking or idling in a bike lane is not only dangerous to cyclists, it's illegal.
Together, the Department of Revenue (DOR) and the Department of Transportation (CDOT) have begun enforcement efforts aimed at making streets safer for cyclists. Parking tickets will be issued to motor vehicles found parked or idling in a bike lane. Motorists should remember that parking in a bike lane might cost them a $100 fine — and they risk having their vehicle towed.
"Cars parked in bike lanes endanger the lives of bicyclists by forcing them to swerve unexpectedly into faster motor-vehicle traffic," said Bea Reyna-Hickey, Department of Revenue Director.
Bike lanes, five- or six-foot-wide striped lanes on the right side ofthe road, encourage bicycling by giving bicyclists a dedicated ridingspace.
To report problematic areas with bike lanes, residents may call the city's bike hotline at (312) 742-BIKE (2453) or the 311 non-emergency number. For more information on bicycling in Chicago, residents may visit CDOT's Web site at www.ChicagoBikes.org. |
