Today I rode down to Navy Pier to pick up my race packet for the 8K Shamrock Shuffle run tomorrow. My new Bianchi Veloche (The Green Hornet) rode like a dream. It became clear to me, however, that Chicagoans have forgotten how to look out for bikes over the long, cold winter. Six people stepped right into my path on the course of the 14 mile ride. Each time I yelled, "Heads up!" Some of them scooted away, some backed off, and one stopped dead in her tracks and stared at me, forcing me to veer into traffic around her.
Now Chicago streets are busy, and you take your chances. But it seems to me that people are more likely to look both ways and be mindful of bikes in the summer. So I've got to be even more mindful of the pedestrians until they remember, as the Whoos said, "We are heeeeere!" :p Has anyone else noticed this phenomenon?
