...And, finally, a bit of advice to bikers, too

... And, finally, a bit of advice to bikers, too

Spring is in full swing now and one of the season's favorite pastimes -- bicycling -- is back in vogue among the many thousands of enthusiasts who cruise up and down the city's major Park District bike paths -- and in the streets.

But there is an inherent danger lurking -- careless or callous drivers and/or belligerent bikers and joggers, as well as skateboarders and others with no sense of propriety when it comes to sharing the streets or park paths provided by the city.

When navigating Chicago's many crowded bike trails and its congested streets, we would advise bicyclists, drivers, joggers and skateboarders -- to keep in mind the "two c's" -- caution and courtesy.

On the streets, of course, the right-of-way should go to drivers, if for no other reason than common sense.

Guess which one will lose when a 175-pound bicyclist on a 20-pound bike takes on a 3,000-lb. auto?

On the bike trails, bicyclists should acquiesce to joggers, the elderly and children and to other bikers who have the obvious right of way.

The Chicago Police Department's Traffic Division reports that in 1997, there were four auto/bike fatalities and two truck/bike fatalities on the roadways.

More recent statistics were only slightly different -- two auto/bike fatalities and two truck/bike fatalities in 1999.

Several bikers and joggers were also injured in unwanted encounters with motorists across the area.

In a town as large as Chicago there is a lot of room for all to indulge their various favorite pastimes.

Be courteous, but most of all, be careful and cautious in the parks and on the streets of the city this summer -- whether bicycling, walking, jogging or skateboarding.

Another bit of advice to bikers and skateboarders: Don't forget those helmets and kneepads!

Article Copyright Sengstacke Enterprises, Inc.