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Daley backs license plates for bikes

License plates soon could be hanging off the back seats of millions of Illinois bicycles, Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley suggested at a recent gathering of municipal leaders, the Northbrook Star reports.

A spokeswoman confirmed last week that Daley was serious Jan. 20 when he told the 272-member Metropolitan Mayors' Caucus that if a Northbrook legislator's bill to help injured bicycle riders sue towns with hazardous roads becomes law, bicycle license and insurance might soon be required of cyclists.

State Rep. Elaine Nekritz, D-Skokie, is trying to pass a bill that would overturn the Boub v. Township of Wayne Illinois Supreme Court ruling that made bicycles non-intended users of Illinois roads. Right now, Illinois is the only state in which bicycle are non-intended users of roads, and the League of Illinois Bicyclists, the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation and other cyclists have been seeking legislation for years overturning that ruling.

I think Daley is taking a wrong-headed approach to the legislation. Many people in Illinois municipal governments are fearful the legislation would open them to lawsuits. To get an idea of the arguments communities are using to fight the legislation, visit the Illinois Municipal League's recent General Assembly Update or the League's recent Action Alert.

All the bill is intended to do is to give cyclists the same rights as any other users of Illinois highways. But the League is using the same fractured logic that some people use when they tell cyclists to "get the f*** off MY road." For example, read this excerpt from the Action Alert:

The intended users (the League's emphasis) finance and support the system through the payment of taxes and fees (license and other). Through insurance or other financial responsibility requirements, intended users bear liability for their actions while using the system.

The term permitted users allows others, not operating a motorized vehicle, to use the motorized vehicle transportation system. However, a permitted user has no expectation that the system was designed for their use unless specifically marked, such as a cross walk for pedestrians.

The last time I checked, I'm a resident of Illinois. That means I pay income and sales taxes and share a role with about 11 million other people in maintaining the state's highways. Most of the adults I know who ride bicycles also have a driver's license and pay motor fuel taxes.

At a time when people are being encouraged to find alternative means of transportation -- including bicycling -- to save money, it's disappointing to know I live in a state where a bicycle isn't an intended user of the road.

I'm surprised Daley would suggest an approach, given his previous efforts to make Chicago a more bicycle-friendly city. The Chicagoland Bicycle Federation has put out a call for action to support the current bill, and it's time for cyclists to heed that call.

To get some background on the Boub v. Wayne decision, read the Federation's analysis.

Roger 2 comments 11:28 AM

Comments:

Whoa, I thought Daley was supposed to be an advocate of cycling!

# posted by  Yokota Fritz : 12:58 PM

 

As a truck driver that has to pass through Ill. on a regular basis, this does not surprise me. Ask any truck driver what he/she thinks about the 2nd rate state of Illinois. Daley hate trucks. Course so does the governor.

# posted by  Anonymous : 9:14 PM

 

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