Bicycles and Traffic

This is a topic that I have covered numerous times in this column. Something I feel is extremely important for all of us, whether a cyclist or not. In Illinois, a bicycle is legally defined as a vehicle and cyclists have the same rights and the same responsibilities as the operators of other vehicles.   This concept is normally pretty logical to a cyclist, but it’s important for all of us to understand this logic.

If we aren’t sure of our rights it’s really hard to defend them. So let’s start there. When we ride our bikes on a roadway, the bike is a vehicle, and as the operator, we have the right to use the road. No matter what our purpose - commuting, fun and recreation, or whatever.

Cyclists earned this legal status long ago – even before the first automobiles started using the roads. In the late 19^th century the roads were rutted, uneven, and muddy. The Good Roads Movement came about after the formation in 1880 of the American Wheelman, which later became the League of American Bicyclists.  With cyclists leading the way, many roads were paved.

These and other early efforts established bicycles as vehicles, giving cyclists equal rights and duties When automobiles became more prevalent, the principles that had been developed were adapted to include them. As time went on, and the automobile became the predominate vehicle, traffic laws were expanded, often in ways that favored the automobile.

Today, as in the past, cyclist’s rights to the road are frequently challenged. Some communities actually ban bicycles from roads despite our rights. Law enforcement, many times fail to protect us, and I have even heard of attempts to remove us from the roads - despite our rights. And many times motorists will assault cyclists in various ways in efforts to enforce laws that don’t exist. Even with all of this, we cyclists still exercise our right to the road.

As more people take up cycling, public acceptance of our rights will grow – assuming cyclists understand their rights. Knowledge is an essential step. Thai’s why I feel that repeating this topic, again, and again. Is necessary.. We need to remember our responsibilities as cyclists or as the driver of a motor vehicle.  

There will be an opportunity for you cyclists to ride the roads of Fermilab at the end of July. This is a ride I would encourage you to participate. It is called Chase the Moon Moonlight Bike Ride. Each year on the scheduled day of this event, as the clock strikes midnight a throng of excited bicyclists’ put their pedals to work for conservation. This year the ride takes place on July 31^st into August 1^st. with a pre-ride party at 10 pm with the bike ride starting at 12:00 am. And this year the ride will begin right here in Warrenville at the Warrenville Commons Shopping Center at the NE corner of Rt. 59 and