Drivers: Leave the bike riders alone

I know that part of the problem between automobile drivers and bicyclists stems from jealousy - I'm paying zero dollars for gasoline and don't need a gym membership for exercise. Part of the frustration is the fault of local cyclists who don't follow road rules and city ordinances regarding bikes.

No, you aren't supposed to ride on the sidewalks; they're for pedestrians. No, you don't ride against the flow of traffic, you ride with it. Yes, you do stop for red lights, and follow all the road rules meant for automobile drivers.

But I'm just one woman, vulnerably cruising along on her blue bicycle on her way to the grocery store, bank, etc. I don't deserve and haven't earned your vehement violence against me - your shouted epithets that I get off the road, your driving on my rear bumper to scare me, your honking horns, your pulling around me and slamming on the brakes.

And you bicycle riders - get informed. The more of you riding in violation of local ordinances, the fewer of you to help reinforce bicyclists' rights on the road. Local law enforcement needs to hear from us, the mayor's office needs to hear from us, motorists need to see us and hear from us. Let's do this together before someone gets seriously hurt or killed in Elgin.

The state of Missouri just passed a law making it a punishable offense for someone to mess with or injure a bicyclist. Must we attempt to legislate common sense and civility here as well?

Phyllis Bernstein

Elgin