Texting While Biking Banned By Chicago City Council

The Chicago City Council on Wednesday approved an ordinance barring bicyclists from using their cell phones to text message or talk on the phone without a hands-free device.

The ordinance, sponsored by Ald. Margaret Laurino (39th), the Committee on Pedestrian and Traffic Safety chairman, fines violators $20 on their first offense, and up to $100 for three or more violations. The fine is increased to a $500 maximum should they violate the ordinance during a traffic collision, according to the Chicago Tribune. Fines for motorists violating the existing cell phone ban are comparatively higher, starting at $75.

The ban, which Laurino described as "common sense" in leveling the playing field between bicyclists and motorists, will go into effect in November, NBC Chicago reports. It was approved by the council without dissent.

The ban was somewhat weakened compared to its original proposal last month. Originally, violators were to face a $50 fine on a first offense.

The Active Transportation Alliance, a group which promotes biking, walking and mass transit use, supported the ordinance but was concerned that bicyclists, because they are more visible than motorists, would be more often targeted than phone-using motorists.

Photo by pasa47 via Flickr.

Comments

[John MC]

12:31 PM on 10/06/2011

I'm still waiting for them to enforce the: no cell phone while driving a car law. I don't think I have gone on a drive for more 1 minute before seeing someone talking on the phone.

I almost got hit this weekend when some lady came out of a groccery store parking lot by my house and was talking on the phone and didn't see me. Luckly I saw her and was prepared to hit the brakes which I did. Even so she still looked at me like I was in the wrong.....

[chiGrkBoy]

11:09 AM on 10/06/2011

As much as I complain and fight cyclists on how much they break traffic laws, this is ridiculous. If a cyclist stops for a moment, does his phone thing, then leave him be. If he's riding and texting, then he deserves the accident that might come.

[gposner29]

04:30 AM on 10/06/2011

Simply confine biking to rooftops...problem solved

[canoeboundaryh20]

06:56 AM on 10/06/2011

Simply confine driving a car to rooftops...problem solved.

[samuraifrog37]

09:42 PM on 10/05/2011

If you look at the picture of the guy you might think he has a brain cell or two....I wonder how he might feel if someone he cared for was killed doing this on the streets of the city? Really really stupid.

[Paul Conrad]

06:05 PM on 10/05/2011

Good thing there's no real crime for the city of Chicago to worry about.

[samuraifrog37]

09:38 PM on 10/05/2011

Good thing some of the fools that ride and use their phones might think twice about getting killed or injuring or killing pedestrians....or maybe screwing up some poor guys life who has the horrible experience of crushing some fools head under their car wheels....I think you miss the point....by a mile or two.

[Paul Conrad]

09:52 AM on 10/06/2011

Expending police resources protecting bikers from themselves is a waste of money and time in a city facing as many real problems as Chicago. That's the point.

[gposner29]

04:31 AM on 10/06/2011

Naw...primarily white collar, by elected officials and city workers...thats all....aside from the mayhem on the south and west sides...