I am a non-traditional, commuter student who parks off campus and then bikes on and around campus. I am appalled by the lack of respect given by drivers of vehicles to bicyclists and pedestrians. Since the NIU campus is subject to Illinois driving laws, I would like to take this time to educate drivers on the subject.

Illinois Senate Bill 80 “provides that the driver of a vehicle overtaking a bicycle or individual proceeding in the same direction on a highway must maintain a distance of at least 3 feet between the vehicle and the bicycle or individual. Provides that a bicycle rider may signal a right turn by extending his or her right hand horizontally and to the right side of the bicycle. Provides that the rider of a bicycle or a motorized pedal cycle shall ride as close to the right-hand curb or edge as practicable and safe (rather than as close as practicable), except in specified circumstances. Provides that, in addition to the existing exceptions, the rider is not required to ride as close to the right-hand curb or edge as practicable and safe when the rider is approaching a place where a right turn is authorized.”

Drivers, be aware! You are not entitled to laying on your horn when I’m in front of you on my bike. If I’m in the middle of the lane, it’s most likely because it’s not safe to ride on the right hand side, or I’m preparing to make a left turn.

To the inconsiderate female driving the sedan behind me last week, who laid on her horn, you nearly caused me to fall off of my bike. I don’t like loud noises because I did two tours in the Middle East where I was subjected to loud noises on a regular basis, and car horns make me jumpy. Be more considerate. Honking your horn at any bicyclist is dangerous.

From the Illinois Rules of the Road, which can be found at www.il.gov, “a driver must yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian ... [w]hen a pedestrian is in a marked or unmarked crosswalk on the driver’s side of the roadway and there are no traffic control signals.”

To the driver who obnoxiously laid on the horn while pedestrians were trying to cross in front of Swen Parson on Tuesday, Sept. 2, perhaps you should brush up on the rules of the road.

We all need to share the road, and if I can get out of the way so you may pass me, I will do so. But, please, drivers, be more considerate. The law, in fact, requires you to do so.

Jackie Sharp
Junior journalism major

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