One of the main reasons biking is my favorite way to get around Chicago is the good vibes. Cyclists can bypass hectic, sun-baked arterials during hot-weather rush hours in favor of tranquil, leafy backstreet routes. And nothing beats a relaxed cruise home, past buzzing neon and packed sidewalk cafes on an absolutely perfect summer night.
Particularly irksome is sexist “man-shoaling,” noted member Heléna Klumpp, “by guys who assume they’re faster than me—you know, because they’re guys, so they must be.” Kate M. added that it’s satisfying to loudly yell “On your left!” when passing these cads after the light turns green “because I am faster.”
Some of the worst intersection-bombing offenders are on brakeless fixed-gear bikes. Look, I know that serpentining around cross traffic on a “fixie” is considered an art form, but so is skidding to a stop at a red and track standing until it’s safe to cross. If that’s too much trouble for you, get a frickin’ hand brake already.
John Greenfield edits the transportation news website Streetsblog Chicago.
