ChiWhoBike #12
Since I’ve been on a bike, I’ve realized how much of an awkward situation bikes are in. In Chicago it’s technically illegal to ride on the sidewalk, and I get that - we’re on a bike, people are walking, there’s senior citizens, et cetera - but if there’s a super fast road where cars are going 40, 50 miles per hour when the speed limit’s like 35 and people aren’t paying attention, I’m not riding on the road, I’m riding on the sidewalk. I know it’s illegal, I’m taking that risk, but you’re just in this precarious situation where you’re not welcome on the sidewalk because of pedestrians, like ‘oh there’s a bike lane, go in the street!’ and you’re not welcome in the street because drivers feel like you belong on the sidewalk. Am I welcome in the road? Or do I have to ride on the sidewalk where it’s illegal and I don’t really feel comfortable dodging people that are getting off the bus, but I don’t want to die in the road from someone who’s trying to scroll through TikTok at 45 miles per hour.
