The Law Offices of James M. Freeman, P.C.

Last week you may have heard about the Chicago Police Department ticketing cyclists for headlight violations. I, for one, am glad to hear it.

Apparently the CPD, in conjunction with CDOT and Mayor Daley's Bicycling Ambassadors set up a sting in Bucktown geared toward educating cyclists about the required lighting equipment. The Bicycling Ambassadors were positioned on a corner, and they would stop cyclists who lacked headlights. They would tell the cyclists that the law requires cyclists to use a white headlight, then offer to give them a headlight. If the cyclist ignored the Bicycling Ambassadors the CPD would pull the cyclist over a couple blocks away and ticket them for a headlight violation.

Any regular reader of my blog knows that a white headlight and red rear reflector are required by both Chicago and Illinois Law.

I'm fine with such stings which are geared to educate cyclists, but really, I'd like to see better enforcement of traffic laws across the board with respect to both cyclists and cars.