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Drivers Who Endanger Bikers May Get Big Tickets

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Feb 7, 2008 10:27 am US/Central

Drivers Who Endanger Bikers May Get Big Tickets

Mayor Daley Proposes Crackdown For Drivers Who Violate Bike Lane Rules

CHICAGO (Sun-Times Media Wire) ―

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Reckless drivers who endanger bicycle riders would pay fines of $150 -- $500 if there's a bike crash -- under a crackdown proposed Wednesday by Chicago's No. 1 cyclist.

Mayor Daley, who once scraped the skin off his kneecap during a marathon bike ride in Michigan, has been there and done that. He has had drivers open car doors in his path.

He has had cars turn left in front of him and had a car pass within three feet of his bike.

"When someone opens a door -- that's why you have to be very, very alert on a bike," Daley said.

"Yes, it's taken place. And [there were] a few choice words. Every biker does that -- salutes the driver in a Chicago way.

All three violations were targeted by the ordinance introduced by Daley at Wednesday's City Council meeting. It's designed to reduce the number of crashes involving bikes and motor vehicles. There were 6,000 such crashes in Chicago between 2001 and 2005, killing 30 cyclists.

The ordinance establishes a fine for double-parking in a marked lane that's supposed to be shared by bikes and vehicles. And it raises the fine for driving, standing and parking in a bicycle-only lane.

The city has more than 110 miles of designated bike lanes and 21 miles of shared lanes.

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