The Science of Bicycling

Ever wonder about the science behind what keeps you and your bicycle upright? If so, you'll enjoy this article from 1891 (page 766 of link) dissecting the science behind that technological wonder known as the bicycle.

Two Options For Left Turning Bicyclists In Illinois

Making a left turn on a bicycle in urban traffic can be a little scary at times. Generally, bicyclists are required to ride as far to the right as possible on the roadway. Turning left might mean crossing into a regular lane, the realm of motorized traffic. Luckily, Illinois law offers bicyclists some flexibility when it comes to turning left.

Let's use the intersection of Milwaukee Avenue and Armitage Avenue in Chicago to illustrate how to make a legal left:


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The view above is from northbound Milwaukee Avenue approaching its intersection with Armitage. Riding our virtual bicycles, we wish to turn left onto westbound Armitage. Under Illinois law, we have two options for doing so. Section 11-1510 of the Illinois Vehicle Code states:

(a) A person riding a bicycle or motorized pedalcycle intending to turn left shall follow a course described in Section 11-801 or in paragraph (b) of this Section. (emphasis added)

Option 1 (Sec. 11-801): If traffic permits, you may take the extreme left lane of northbound Milwaukee Avenue, in this case the designated left turn lane, and turn as a car would. The law states that, "Any person operating a bicycle . . . upon a roadway at less than the normal speed of traffic . . . shall ride as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway except . . . When preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway." 625 ILCS 5/11-11-1505. (emphasis added) Pedaling along the right edge of northbound Milwaukee, you may merge into traffic to the left turn lane as you begin to approach the intersection. Section 11-801(2) states:

The driver of a vehicle [bicycle] intending to turn left at any intersection shall approach the intersection in the extreme left-hand lane lawfully available to traffic moving in the direction of travel of such vehicle, and after entering the intersection, the left turn shall be made so as to leave the intersection in a lane lawfully available to traffic moving in such direction upon the roadway being entered. Whenever practicable the left turn shall be made in that portion of the intersection to the left of the center of the intersection.

Simple, right? You have the same rights and responsibilities as a motor vehicle when it comes to turning left. That point noted, it is sometimes just plain dangerous and frightening to merge across lanes of moving motor vehicle traffic on a bicycle. Recognizing that, Illinois law provides a second option.

Option 2 (Sec. 11-1510 b): This option does not require taking the left lane of Milwaukee Avenue at all. Instead, we would pedal our virtual bike in the right lane of Milwaukee Avenue across Armitage, assuming of course the traffic light is green in our favor. We would then position ourselves in front of Walgreens, facing westbound on Armitage. The best place would probably be to the right and a bit in front of the red minivan in the photo above. After doing so we would wait for the light controlling traffic on Armitage to change before proceeding west. Section 11-1510(b) states:

A person riding a bicycle. . . intending to turn left shall approach the turn as close as practicable to the right curb or edge of the roadway. After proceeding across the intersecting roadway to the far corner of the curb or intersection of the roadway edges, the bicyclist. . . shall stop, as much as practicable out of the way of traffic. After stopping the person shall yield to any traffic proceeding in either direction along the roadway such person had been using. After yielding, the bicycle. . . shall comply with any official traffic control device or police officer regulating traffic on the highway along which he intends to proceed, and the bicyclist. . . may proceed in the new direction.

Option #2 is probably the safer approach but may not be the fastest way to make a left turn. Of course, if you get into a bicycle accident you may not go anywhere quickly for quite some time. The approach you take should depend on the intersection, traffic conditions and your skill and comfort level as an urban cyclist. Remember, that just because you have the legal right to do something does not mean that you should. In a bike accident, the cyclist usually loses.

The Frail Mistress That Is Carbon Fiber

A relationship with a bicycle can be so. . . personal. The bike has needs, air in its tires, lubricant for its moving parts. The rider also asks the bicycle for things, to be fast, comfortable, light weight. It's a give and take relationship. If you want a rugged, forgiving bicycle you may purchase one made mostly of steel and other heavy materials. If weight reduction is more important, you may opt for a bike made of carbon fiber. But, as I said, there is always a price to be paid. I invite you to check out a blog I came across reading Urban Velo, called Busted Carbon that documents in pictures the price sometimes paid for weight reduction.

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No Helmet Obama, No Worries

A lot of people went berserk that President Obama did not wear a helmet while out bicycling with his children on Martha's Vineyard. Anyone reading this blog will recognize that I am a strong advocate of bicycling safety. I personally always wear a helmet while out riding in the city or mountain bicycling or anywhere else where it's reasonably foreseeable that I could crash and bonk my coconut. However, the conditions under which President Obama was riding last week could not have been safer if he were peddle-powering a cloud being escorted through the heavens by Saint Peter himself. He was peddling his hybrid, cruiser kind-a-bike along a smooth cycling path that I am guessing was closed to other bike traffic. There were no motor vehicles. He was surrounded by secret service agents who were not going to let anyone, whether pedestrian, cyclist or motorist come within 500 yards of the president. His chances of getting into a bicycling accident were probably as great as getting hit in the head by a plummeting asteroid. I feel comfortable saying that if you find yourself riding your bike under similar conditions, you have my blessing to leave your helmet at home.

A Better Approach For Illinois Bicyclists: Our Own Private Idaho

Image via Wikipedia

In Illinois, bicyclists are required to stop at all traffic control devices such as stop signs and. . . Oh, why am I bothering? You're not going to do it, are you? As sure as the sun will rise in the east, bicyclists will not come to a complete halt at stop signs and motorists will hate them for it. This tension between bicyclists and motorists is dangerous, especially for those who bike in heavily trafficked urban areas. A pissed-off person behind the wheel of a 2,000 lb rolling chunk of metal is liable to hurt someone. Perhaps if the law changed in Illinois to reflect the way real people actually ride their bicycles, some of the tension between these two groups can be lessened. If the motorist knows that the law permits a bicyclist to merely "slow and go" at stop signs and lights, maybe some of that anger will dissolve. People, after all, tend to resent seeing someone get away with something.

Presently, Illinois law states that, "Every person riding a bicycle upon a highway shall be granted all of the rights and shall be subject to all of the duties applicable to the driver of a vehicle by this Code. . ." 625 ILCS 5/11-1502. Not surprisingly, the Illinois Vehicle Code requires all vehicles to stop at all traffic control devices directing him or her to do so. 625 ILCS 5/11-305. I submit, however, that this law is impractical. Bicyclists are not going to halt at stop signs for two reasons: (1) As anyone who has ridden a bike will attest, momentum is vital. A bicycle is fun because of the freedom of movement it encourages. Gliding along the pavement without doors or walls or a roof, under one's own power is what makes it so enjoyable. Constantly, starting and stopping at every sign and light in the city is just a drag. Why even bother to ride then? (2) Though Illinois law treats bicycles as "vehicles" like cars, buses and garbage trucks, bicyclists do not see themselves that way. Bicyclists see themselves as something between a pedestrian and a "vehicle". Bicycles operating in the city can at times travel nearly as fast as a car. At the same time, bikes are not nearly as heavy as other vehicles. They have a light maneuverability like a pedestrian. What sense does it make for a bike to be required to lumber about like a CTA bus?

For those of you nodding your heads in agreement I have one word for you: Idaho. Since 1982, Idaho law has been unique in what it requires of bicyclists. When approaching a stop sign bicyclists in Idaho may merely slow before proceeding through an intersection if it is safe to do so. Upon approaching a red light a bicyclist must stop, but after doing so may proceed through the intersection once it is safe to do so even if the light remains red. If the cyclist's intent is to turn right at a light controlled intersection, he or she may simply slow and go like at a stop sign. The full statute states as follows:

(1) A person operating a bicycle or human-powered vehicle approaching a stop sign shall slow down and, if required for safety, stop before entering the intersection. After slowing to a reasonable speed or stopping, the person shall yield the right-of-way to any vehicle in the intersection or approaching on another highway so closely as to constitute an immediate hazard during the time the person is moving across or within the intersection or junction of highways, except that a person after slowing to a reasonable speed and yielding the right-of-way if required, may cautiously make a turn or proceed through the intersection without stopping.

(2) A person operating a bicycle or human-powered vehicle approaching a steady red traffic control light shall stop before entering the intersection and shall yield to all other traffic. Once the person has yielded, he may proceed through the steady red light with caution. Provided however, that a person after slowing to a reasonable speed and yielding the right-of-way if required, may cautiously make a right-hand turn. A left-hand turn onto a one-way highway may be made on a red light after stopping and yielding to other traffic.

(3) A person riding a bicycle shall comply with the provisions of section 49-643, Idaho Code.

(4) A signal of intention to turn right or left shall be given during not less than the last one hundred (100) feet traveled by the bicycle before turning, provided that a signal by hand and arm need not be given if the hand is needed in the control or operation of the bicycle.

This statute makes good sense. It does not allow bicyclists to simply ignore traffic control devices. They must look for traffic and yield the right-of-way to vehicles in or close to the intersection. It recognizes the reality that bicyclists are hybrid travelers, not quite vehicles and not quite pedestrians. It also codifies what cyclists do anyway. By making this practice legal, everyone on the road can proceed happier. Bikers can proceed with the confidence that by exercising this slow and go approach they are complying with the law. Motorists will be put on notice that bikes may not stop at controlled intersections. Maybe bicyclists will be no longer be viewed by motorists as outlaws on city streets, thumbing their noses at laws they themselves are required to obey. Maybe changing the law will help foster mutual respect between cyclists and drivers. Fingers crossed.

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Bike Recalled Due To Faulty Stem

Nirve Sports of California is recalling its Cannibal bicycle due to complaints about the bike's stem which can crack and fail. The stem attaches the handlebars to the rest of the bike. Click here for more information from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Amendment To Law Protects Illinois Bicyclists And Pedestrians

On August 11th, Illinois Governor Pat Quinn signed into law an amendment to the Crime Victims Compensation Act providing compensation for bicyclists and pedestrians injured or killed in a motor vehicle accident. The Act allows for a victim, or anyone dependent upon the victim, to receive compensation for for pecuniary loss or support caused by a "crime of violence." Violations of portions of the Illinois Motor Vehicle code are now considered crimes of violence under the amendment where they cause injury or death to a pedestrian or bicyclist. Compensation under the Act is permitted only after other sources of compensation, i.e. insurance or governmental benefits, if any, have been exhausted. There are also certain reporting requirements in the Act that need to be followed. The Amendment to the Act is effective immediately. To read the Act click here.

This is an important and welcome recognition that vehicular crimes against bicyclists and pedestrians are a very serious matter. Such incidents are all too common on Illinois roads and they often impart significant financial, as well as physical and emotional, consequences to victims.

For more information about the crime victims compensation program visit the Illinois Attorney General's website by clicking here.