Share the Road campaign continues to focus on bike safety

June 1, 2011

With more cyclists on the road than ever, Chicago is showing its commitment to the safety of all road users by upholding traffic laws through the Share the Road Campaign.  

Aldermen in multiple wards are partnering with local police commanders and the City of Chicago's Bicycling Ambassadors to hold 75 enforcement events through September to educate motorists and bicyclists to share the road.

Events will focus on dangerous behaviors that put cyclists and motorists at risk, including:

  • motorists who pass cyclists without the required minimum 3 feet of clearance
  • motorists who park in bike lanes or open car doors into a cyclist’s path (aka “dooring.”)
  • cyclists who disobey traffic signs and signals and ride at night without headlights

In 2011, the City will focus its efforts on keeping bicyclists and motorists safe by enforcing the use of headlights at night by cyclists and of all traffic safety laws by motorists and bicyclists.

The Bicycling Ambassadors are a team of bicycle safety and education specialists who have been encouraging Chicagoans to ride their bikes more often and safely since 2001.  The Ambassadors appear at hundreds of events each year, providing information and education to children, teens and adults.

These enforcement and awareness efforts are funded with a grant from the Illinois Department of Transportation’s Division of Traffic Safety.

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