Weaponized stupidity:
A Department of Transportation spokesperson defended the decision in a statement to NPR: “This is a common-sense approach, despite the Left’s belief that everyone should ride a bike to their shoebox-sized apartment to eat crickets to achieve a phony climate agenda.”

I had a bit of drama on my commute in today.

I was heading West on Upper Randolph, approaching Columbus. The bike lane (classic unprotected bike lane) disappears and becomes a shared right-turn lane. There are 2 large SUV's waiting to go straight in the right-hand lane, but the turn lane is empty. I rock up to the left corner, giving plenty of space for a right-hand-turning car.

Then SUV #2 decides "Oh, I do want to turn here", and tries to do a 1-car-length lane change in a Chevy Suburban. Which goes as well as can be imagined, and they end up diagonal across the turn lane with their rear still in the straight lane.

They get the arrow, honking ensues and the driver rolls down the window to yell at me, of course. "You're in the wrong spot! You need to move!" etc, etc. I'm right where Illinois State law says I should be, and even if I am in the wrong spot, YOU have an obligation to avoid other road users even if they might be committing some kind of traffic infraction, just like I had to go around various illegally parked cars in the bike lane, jaywalkers, and salmoning eScooters.

She eventually gets herself unstuck and turns, then #1 rolls down his window and yells at me for existing, also claiming I'm in the wrong spot.

Fortunately no harm done, but it's just frustrating when we get blamed for simply existing while idiots do obviously dumb and illegal stuff. I will say I did make the mistake of getting into a shouting match with the idiots. No issue chewing them out, but from a personal safety standpoint never a smart move.

I am curious where the drivers thought I was supposed to be, and how that would have helped the situation. Because if I stayed on the Curb, the SUV would have had an even harder time making the turn. But of course they never actually think that through and just want me somewhere else.

Hi all --

Posting on behalf of Dovetail Brewery (1800 W Belle Plaine) -- this Sunday is our annual Bike Social and Radler Party. We love biking in Chicago and this is our way to celebrate it. :) One of our longtime bartenders and tour guides is co-owner of Cog Cycles & Yarns, and co-organizes it.

Here's the whole spiel -- if you're interested in signing up for a workshop or tune-up, head to dovetailbrewery.com/events (Mods, I hope it's okay to link that).

--

On Sunday, July 26, from noon-6pm, join us for our 3rd Annual Bike Social & Radler Party, where we gather Chicago’s riders, makers, mechanics, and advocates for an afternoon celebrating the joy of riding bikes.

And you can’t have a Bike Social without a Radler—it literally means “cyclist” in German! Since opening in 2016, we’ve made our house Radlers with Filbert’s soda, the South Side institution that’s been bottling pop for more than 100 years. We’ll have a special menu of these refreshing, lower-ABV beer cocktails waiting for you after your ride to Dovetail. The first 50 attendees will also receive a free Dovetail bike water bottle!

Throughout the afternoon, meet local cycling organizations, browse bike-inspired art, pick up free bike safety resources, and connect with the people who make Chicago’s cycling community so special. Curbside Bicycles will offer same-day bike tune-ups, and Cog Cycles & Yarns will host hands-on wheel truing workshops for anyone interested in learning one of cycling’s most satisfying maintenance skills.

We’ll also welcome Out Our Front Door, The Recyclery, Working Bikes (who will be demo-ing “Clown Bikes!”), and Broadway Bikes, plus a community gear swap—so bring any gently used cycling or camping gear you’d like to pass along to a new home.

Anyone have a suggestion for a water bottle holder that can hold a larger bottle? I have a 20oz Hydroflask that doesn't quite fit the standard holders you see.

Why? Seems like there's so much more of these shirtless riders everywhere these days.