Follow the rules on cars and bicycles

I’d like to address the driver who yelled, “Bikes have rules of the road too, you jerk!” on a recent afternoon in Mundelein.

Exactly what rule did you think I was violating, please? We both arrived at a stop sign at the same time. I was on the right. When we started moving, you began to turn right. I’m sorry if my horn startled you, but it looked as if you might run into me.

Perhaps a review of Illinois traffic laws, as they pertain to bicycles, is in order.

Though this is too big a topic for a letter to the editor, there is one that should be mentioned: The Illinois Vehicle Code states, “Every person riding a bicycle upon a highway shall be granted all of the rights and shall be subject to all of the duties applicable to the driver of a vehicle ...” Section 11-1502

Just as it is not the duty of a car driver to allow another car to turn right across his or her path, it was not my duty to wait for you to turn across mine.

What is more, whether I had the right of way or not, turning into me would be a failure to exercise due caution, which is also against the law.

Please educate yourself about the rules of the road for cars and bicycles, and exercise the same caution you would want others to use driving around you or your family.

Steve Weeks

Mundelein