I like how bikers say that they are vehicles and should be able to ride in the road, then they blow stop signs, red lights, and weave in and out of traffic when cars are backed up at a red light. Can't have it both ways.

I ride my bike a lot. Sometimes I get annoyed when people are out walking on a path oblivious to what's happening around them. But I don't think it's my right to roar through a park yelling at everyone to get the fuck out of my way. I realize that "on your left" has become an accepted warning so that an unwitting pedestrian doesn't suddenly step into the cyclist's path, but that isn't really the way it's used. It's more of a threat, like "LOOK OUT, HERE I COME!" The paths in Chicago's parks aren't part of a Grand European Tour or a Velodrome. They're shared space for pedestrians, cyclists, idiots on rollerblades, and babies wandering aimlessly in circles. If you're on a bike it's your responsibility to be able to stop before you crash into someone. Screaming, "ON YOUR LEFT!!!!!" doesn't absolve you of said responsibility.

What do you wear while riding?

Spot on. I especially love the recumbent bikes cruising at 20-30 MPH with little steering ability. I used to get those all the time in the bike path up in Kane county.

I ride my bike a lot. Sometimes I get annoyed when people are out walking on a path oblivious to what's happening around them. But I don't think it's my right to roar through a park yelling at everyone to get the fuck out of my way. I realize that "on your left" has become an accepted warning so that an unwitting pedestrian doesn't suddenly step into the cyclist's path, but that isn't really the way it's used. It's more of a threat, like "LOOK OUT, HERE I COME!" The paths in Chicago's parks aren't part of a Grand European Tour or a Velodrome. They're shared space for pedestrians, cyclists, idiots on rollerblades, and babies wandering aimlessly in circles. If you're on a bike it's your responsibility to be able to stop before you crash into someone. Screaming, "ON YOUR LEFT!!!!!" doesn't absolve you of said responsibility.

The guys on the racing bikes are even worse, especially since a lot of them ride at peak times on the LSD trail. It's a recipe for disaster.

I still think rollerbladers are the worst, though, since they are apparently incapable of moving without straying onto the wrong side of the path.

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The commuters are worse than the speed bikers.

Do you say "On Your Left", ring a bell, or just pass them silently hoping they don't make a sudden move into the lane in which you're passing them?

Saying "On Your Left" often seems to make small children either on foot or on a bike drift to their left. Also, if I am approaching someone with a little kid on a bike they often seem to drift into my side of the path as I get closer. It's like they're doing perfectly fine until someone approaches them and then they suddenly lose control of all voluntary movement and head directly into oncoming traffic.

A group of people walking three, four, or more across taking up both sides of a path are real pieces of work.

How so?

What do you wear while riding?

Do you say "On Your Left", ring a bell, or just pass them silently hoping they don't make a sudden move into the lane in which you're passing them?

It depends on what time of year it is. In the summer I just wear shorts and gym shoes. I prefer to go shirtless if it's hot out. I'd also rather not wear a helmet and I usually don't on my normal route which has minimal dangers. I do put the helmet on if I'm going to be riding in heavy traffic or in icy conditions.

It depends on what time of year it is. In the summer I just wear shorts and gym shoes. I prefer to go shirtless if it's hot out. I'd also rather not wear a helmet and I usually don't on my normal route which has minimal dangers. I do put the helmet on if I'm going to be riding in heavy traffic or in icy conditions.

It depends on what time of year it is. In the summer I just wear shorts and gym shoes. I prefer to go shirtless if it's hot out. I'd also rather not wear a helmet and I usually don't on my normal route which has minimal dangers. I do put the helmet on if I'm going to be riding in heavy traffic or in icy conditions.

I ride my bike a lot. Sometimes I get annoyed when people are out walking on a path oblivious to what's happening around them. But I don't think it's my right to roar through a park yelling at everyone to get the fuck out of my way. I realize that "on your left" has become an accepted warning so that an unwitting pedestrian doesn't suddenly step into the cyclist's path, but that isn't really the way it's used. It's more of a threat, like "LOOK OUT, HERE I COME!" The paths in Chicago's parks aren't part of a Grand European Tour or a Velodrome. They're shared space for pedestrians, cyclists, idiots on rollerblades, and babies wandering aimlessly in circles. If you're on a bike it's your responsibility to be able to stop before you crash into someone. Screaming, "ON YOUR LEFT!!!!!" doesn't absolve you of said responsibility.

So you're not a biker shorts guy? Glad to hear it.

Savage.

just passed a shirtless guy about to board a plane at Midway and immediately thought of JORR. He was wearing bib overall shorts but no shirt Glad he wasn't on my flt.

Between the Dupage County Fair, Chuck E. Cheese's, and a local pig roast, I saw my share of savages this weekend.

Saying "On Your Left" often seems to make small children either on foot or on a bike drift to their left. Also, if I am approaching someone with a little kid on a bike they often seem to drift into my side of the path as I get closer. It's like they're doing perfectly fine until someone approaches them and then they suddenly lose control of all voluntary movement and head directly into oncoming traffic.

It's because riders have a tendency to go in the direction they are looking. Especially with kids - they see you and they start steering in your direction.

Beginning motorcylists are taught to "look through the turn" for this very reason.

I quietly "say on your left" if on a path but I use discretion and don't ride like an asswipe.

I ride my bike a lot.

When I used to rollerblade the lake front for exercise back in the 90s I used to treat the bike path as an arena for my own personal combat sports exhibition. On average I would cause 2-4 bikers a summer to wipe out. My favorite was when a bike tried to pass me near Fullerton and didn't make enough room for the width of my stride...he clipped my toe wheel and flipped off his bike sideways directly into another biker who then also went head over heels on his bike. Not often when you can pull off the 7-10 split on the bike path.

I ride my bike a lot. Sometimes I get annoyed when people are out walking on a path oblivious to what's happening around them. But I don't think it's my right to roar through a park yelling at everyone to get the fuck out of my way. I realize that "on your left" has become an accepted warning so that an unwitting pedestrian doesn't suddenly step into the cyclist's path, but that isn't really the way it's used. It's more of a threat, like "LOOK OUT, HERE I COME!" The paths in Chicago's parks aren't part of a Grand European Tour or a Velodrome. They're shared space for pedestrians, cyclists, idiots on rollerblades, and babies wandering aimlessly in circles. If you're on a bike it's your responsibility to be able to stop before you crash into someone. Screaming, "ON YOUR LEFT!!!!!" doesn't absolve you of said responsibility.