Peoria Station

12 responses so far ↓

• 1    SD // Oct 17, 2009 at 4:06 pm

  But David, don’t you understand that those white lines are for the bicyclists? They are supposed to ride within that area. Just ask them, they’ll tell you. Besides all of this area will be a hiking, biking walking area very soon. Its best for all. Just lug your groceries home in your fanny pack.

• 2    David P. Jordan // Oct 17, 2009 at 5:47 pm

  Yeah, and like the car ahead of me, I had to cross the median to avoid hitting the bicyclist!

• 3    dd // Oct 19, 2009 at 1:31 pm

  What’s the matter? Can’t you see him? Is he in your way? Well then, unless there is some law against it, just run him off the road. Oh, wait there is a law. This from the Ill. Sec. of State web site:

  On most roadways, bicyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as other roadway users. Bicyclists are prohibited on limited-access highways, expressways and certain other marked roadways.

  Following are laws and safety tips you should know:

  “Bicyclists are required to travel in the same direction as vehicles.

  Bicyclists should travel just to the right of faster moving traffic. However, certain hazards, such as rough surfaces, debris, drainage grates or a narrow traffic lane, may require bike riders to move toward the center of the lane.

  Drivers must yield the right-of-way to a bicyclist just as they would to another vehicle.

  When passing a bicyclist do so slowly and leave at least three feet of passing space.

  A motorist should not park or drive in marked bike lanes.

  When following bicyclists, give them plenty of room and be prepared to stop quickly. Use extra caution during rainy and icy weather. At night do not use high beams when you see an oncoming bicycle rider.
  After parking and before opening vehicle doors, a motorist should first check for bicyclists.

  When a motorist is turning left and there is a bicyclist entering the intersection from the opposite direction, the driver should wait for the bicyclist to pass before making the turn. Also, if a motorist is sharing the left turn lane with a bicyclist, stay behind them until they have safely completed their turn.

  If a motorist is turning right and a bicyclist is approaching on the right, let the bicyclist go through the intersection first before making a right turn. Remember to always signal your turns.

  For more information, go to your local Driver Services Facility or download the Bicycle Rules of the Road booklet.”

  I just don’t understand your hostility toward bicycle riders. If that was a mail truck, or a UPS truck, or some other slow moving vehicle, you would just take your time and pass with care. Why can’t you do the same here.

• 4    dd // Oct 19, 2009 at 1:42 pm

  By the way David, if you crossed the yellow line to pass this bicycle you passed a vehicle in a no passing zone.

• 5    David P. Jordan // Oct 19, 2009 at 8:13 pm

  dd,

  You obviously missed the point of my post, which is mainly humor. But since you obviously take it quite seriously, I’ll bite.

  The bicyclist seen above may have a legal right to use the road, but he should instead be using the trail seen at left. Trail proponents used “safety” as justification for ripping out an operational railroad regardless of the consequences to its users. Filling the gap between the Rock Island Trail and Pimiteoui Trail would, they have claimed, replace the present use of busy streets. Yet, trail proponents vehemently defend their legal right to use those same streets. In the future, could we expect those same safety-conscious trail proponents to continue riding those streets instead of a parallel multi-million dollar recreational trail that is oh so vital to the city’s future? Given the above photo, the answer is obviously “Yes.”

  As to your second comment, bicyclists like the one above can impede traffic. Allen Road can be quite busy at times. Posted speed on that stretch is 45mph. He’s an obstruction when traveling just 20-25 mph, and thus a necessity to pass him. The double lines denote that it is illegal/unsafe to pass another vehicle on the road, not a bicyclist who fails to, “Ride as close to the right edge of the road as practical” per Illinois Bicycle Rules of the Road, Page 5.

  http://www.sos.state.il.us/publications/pdf_publications/dsd_a143.pdf

• 6    Steve Jaeger // Oct 20, 2009 at 10:40 am

  David, trail proponents cannot assume responsibility for what every cyclist chooses to do. And you know that. We should abandon our zeal for the Kellar trail project because some bozo decides to take a spin down Allen Road in front of your camera?
  Those of us who will utilize the completed trail can’t wait, and maybe we can even convert our friend on Allen.

• 7    dd // Oct 20, 2009 at 12:20 pm

  Sorry, I forgot all about the little feud going on between those who want to keep an abandoned (or semi-abandoned) rail line in suspended animation and those that want to turn it in to something more useful. I don’t have a dog in that fight. As a road cyclist, I couldn’t care less whether there is a trail or railroad on the Keller Line. My problem is with people who are trying to kill me while I am exercising my legal right to ride a bicycle on Allen Road or anywhere else I am legally entitled to ride. Yes, the word is “entitled.” The law requires that motor vehicles treat bicyclist as another vehicle. The laws says you cannot pass a bike in a no passing zone, so slow down, stay behind me until you are in a passing zone, then pass with care, giving me at least three feet clearance (thats the law too). If you can’t give me 3 feet clearance, then don’t pass me. There are too many dead and injured cyclist around to take this lightly. If that cyclist in the picture were me, I would be out in the street, not on the trail. Two reasons: 1) because I cannot safely ride my bike at 25 mph on the trail, like I can on the road; and 2) because the law says that I can ride in the road and you have to share the road with me, even if it means you have to slow down a bit. Come on Dave, where are you going in such a hurry that you can’t slow down for the 5 -10 seconds it takes to safely pass a bicycle – even on Allen Road.

• 8    David P. Jordan // Oct 20, 2009 at 2:57 pm

  DD,

  I believe some clarification of your concerns is necessary. You wrote:

  “My problem is with people who are trying to kill me while I am exercising my legal right to ride a bicycle on Allen Road or anywhere else I am legally entitled to ride.”

  “…I cannot safely ride my bike at 25 mph on the trail, like I can on the road.”

  So at first, you’re concerned that there is some danger when riding public roads, but then claim riding on a public road is safer than riding on a trail. Which is it? Perhaps both are dangerous? In that case, why do it at all?

  Perhaps you’ve inadvertently revealed a major flaw in the trail proponents’ reasoning. The extended Rock Island Trail will supposedly be crowded with joggers and also moms and dads walking with their children, so I guess it’s too dangerous for use by 25mph bicyclists? Maybe a second, parallel trail will have to be built to separate bikers and walkers? What will that cost? (But with supposedly no room for both railroad and trail, two trails would be impossible!).

  Go ahead and ride city roadways. You have a legal right to do so. Hopefully, motorists will be courteous when trying to pass, and you and other bicyclists will be courteous toward motorists who would prefer to drive closer to the speed limit. But when there is a parallel trail, please use it, even if you can’t ride at 25mph.

• 9    Franklin C. // Oct 21, 2009 at 6:12 pm

  Well I kind of have to take the middle road in this.

  I ride a fixed gear bicycle, commonly with agroup of friends who also ride them here in Peoria. I don’t feel that the Kellar Branch should be ripped up, but a bike trail from the north to south end of town would be nice. From what I can see David, you aren’t an avid cyclist. 25mph is pretty fast on a bike. Roadies commonly cruise around at that speed though.You wouldn’t want to go that fast on a bike trail. Your average joe on a comfort bike with his kids is going to be doing something like 8-12mph which is fine. One common thing I see on trails in CHicago though is a painted lane for joggers/skaters, and a bike lane. I am living car-free, and it was alot easier in CHicago. I deal with alot of a-hole motorists on a daily basis. And while many people will use the trail, others won’t, and their taxes go toward both roads and trails.Sometimes the road is just more convenient.

  Regards

  Frank

• 10    Merle // Oct 24, 2009 at 3:22 pm

  This is a test.

• 11    Greg D. // Nov 18, 2009 at 11:37 am

  Question: What’s Wrong With This Scene on Allen Road?
  Answer: Nothing. The cyclist and vehicles in the photo appear to be obeying all provisions of the Illinois vehicle code.

  If you wish to change the vehicle code, contact your state representative.

• 12    David P. Jordan // Nov 18, 2009 at 3:35 pm

  Greg D.,

  While this post was meant to be humorous, it obviously touched a nerve for some folks. Bicyclists’ right to use public roads is irrelevant. A scene showing a bicyclist riding on the road while a parallel trail sits empty is a bit hilarious, IMHO.

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