Bicyclists should obey traffic laws, too

At approximately 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 20, I had an unnerving experience while driving home. I was stopped at the three-way stop sign intersection at West Grove Street and South Ridge Avenue near Our Lady of the Wayside Catholic School in Arlington Heights.

Grove Street dead-ends into Ridge Avenue at that point but resumes immediately east of Cronin Park. Stop signs were added in both directions on Ridge for obvious safety reasons near a school.

When it was my turn to move through the intersection I accelerated slowly and saw two young, adult bikers approached the intersection traveling south on Ridge. It appeared they had no intention of obeying the stop sign, perhaps assuming it did not apply to them. The woman saw that my car was moving and tried to stop. I heard the sound of her bike breaks and had already applied my own.

The man riding with her shot right through the intersection. Fortunately I was in control of my vehicle and stopped without incident.

Why aren't bikers required to obey traffic signs and signals? Why is it the responsibility of drivers of cars to avoid accidents with bikers?

Mary W. Perry

Arlington Heights