Attention Pedestrians!

[Lise]

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!" Has anyone else noticed this phenomenon?

[Bike Goddess]

Lise- Actually, I think it's year round. In my town, people walk across the street often in the MIDDLE of the block and don't bother to look either way! When I ride, I'm always on the lookout for these folks. It just amazes me that they don't think a car or some other moving object just might be coming their way!

For sure, lots think they have the right of way no matter who you are or what you drive, ride, etc.!

[Trek420]

Yep. year round here and worse than cars in my book. My theory; they see us and think "toy". Shouldn't jay walk in the first place (we'd never do that, right? ) But they go right smack splat dab into us because they don't make that time/space/speed judgement they might with a car.

Bikeless DH got smooshed on his commute, he's going downhill, car's uphill and takes a left into him. (broke his arm very badly, he's back on a bike now). That's a car again but the driver saw him, missjudged the speed.

Let's be heads up out there

[betagirl]

Oh my yes. That path is a total obstacle course. Between the pedestrians, the roller bladers with their uber strides, and the other cyclists talking on their cell phones it's a wonder you can ride north of navy pier and not get in a wreck. I much prefer the south end of the path, from the pier down to 79th street. Much less traffic. I rarely ride north any more. Actually my friend got knocked off his bike a couple weeks ago by a runner coming in the opposite direction. I think it was near Fullerton or so. The guy was running down the middle of the path, on the line, and my friend tried to get around a woman walking her dog. The runner basically thrown an elbow and cross checks him. He hooked his handlebars on the dogs leash and did a face plant. Broke his nose, cracked his helmet in half, and slit his lip open. He's a pretty skilled rider so the guy really must have biffed him. What an a-hole. Mike is a tough cookie, so he was ok after an ER visit and some stitches.

If you gave me the choice to ride in traffic or ride the north end of the path in the summer, I'd take traffic. Any single day of the week!

I'm so glad you got out on your new bike. What the heck happened to our nice weather? I left the house friday in short sleeves and by the time I came home it had dropped 15 degrees and the wind was out of control. Today just sucked

[Fuji Girl]

I know exactly what you mean! I was riding north, right by the chess pavilion, and there was some guy walking down the middle of the path. I called "on your left" a few times, but he didn't budge. Finally I screamed "Move it!!!" and he STILL didn't move. I couldn't swerve into the opposite lane because someone else was walking in it. So i just ran into him.

I missed all the beautiful weather last week because I was at worked > 80 hours last week. So sad.

[Lise]

That was spring. Hope you enjoyed it. What we have now is called "spring", but it's really that yucky prolonged time before it gets hot...at the end of June...OK, done grousing about Chicago weather.

Yeah, I expect nincompoops on the lakefront path. I try to stay off the north part--today was not so bad because it was so cold and gray. The worst, IMO, are the rollerbladers with headphones. I swear I want to carry a stick and ... no, no, I'd never do such a thing...

Sorry to hear about Bikeless's DH, and glad to hear he's back on the bike.

The pedestrian near crashes were mostly on Lincoln Ave. People just strolling across the street, not looking left. Two were people running across the street, midblock, heading right into me. One lady I yelled at: "YOU'D BETTER BE FASTER THAN ME!" She was. Barely.

"On your left" is a great warning, but people don't seem to pay much attention. Or they jump to the left. Some of our TE sisters have snakes and mountain lions. We have our fellow citizens.

Stay safe, oh cyclists! L.

[Selkie]

I know exactly what you mean! I was riding north, right by the chess pavilion, and there was some guy walking down the middle of the path. I called "on your left" a few times, but he didn't budge. Finally I screamed "Move it!!!" and he STILL didn't move. I couldn't swerve into the opposite lane because someone else was walking in it. So i just ran into him.

.

haha. I've been so tempted to do the same many times. The worst are the peds wearing headphones who tend drift to the left, obviously lost in their "tunes" and unable to hear your warning. As you make it by them, you can hear the music. Too bad there isn't a remote you can use on others' Ipods/Walkmans to allow you to lower their music (or blast it!). hmmm. Any electrical engineers out there?