Community Corner
Reckless Driving to Blame For Problems Involving Bicyclists
Writer claims recent crackdown on illegal bicycle riding should be geared more toward drivers.
A recent announcement that authorities in Highland Park, Deerfield and Bannockburn, Lake Forest and Highwood are planning to crackdown on illegal bicycle riding has received criticism from a member of the North Shore Cycling Advocates.
Kenneth Obel addressed the Highland Park News in an op-ed stating the announcement was purely a way to “placate a vocal minority” who harp on “lawlessness” by cyclists.
Related: Local Agencies to Crackdown on Illegal Bicycle Riding
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The majority of the blame, he says, should be placed on reckless drivers.
“Whatever people’s perceptions may be, nearly all law-breaking is committed by drivers of motor vehicles and they are collectively responsible for practically all road fatalities,” Obel wrote. “To enforce minor bike violations when major safety issues on the roads go largely unaddressed is, to be blunt, a farce.”
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He points out that more than 32,000 deaths resulted from motor vehicle crashes in 2013, including 743 cyclists and 4,735 pedestrians.
“Numerous people die on the roads every day and countless more are seriously injured because of the conduct of drivers,” he wrote.
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