Now that you have your bike tuned up and your route to work planned out, it's time to have some fun, and be safe doing it.
Chicago's Lakefront Path, with the skyline framed by a deep summer blue, is one of the most recognizable and iconic sights in the world. Millions enjoy its 15-mile span, from Hollywood to 75th St, as it cuts through the largest park in the city and passes beaches filled with sun-bathers and volleyball players. People walk, jog, run, skate, and bike past million dollar condos at Oak Street in the Gold Coast and the tourist mecca, that giant human bug-zapper, Navy Pier on their way to the Museum Campus, the southside skate park, 63rd St Beach's Columbian splendor, to the once-exclusive South Shore Cultural Center.
Bicyclists, in particular, are so fond of the Lakefront Parth, that many will ride their bikes there only. There are no cars, angry drivers, or blind-spotted busses. What could be safer? They can ride for miles in complete joy and uninterrupted bliss.
Until that jogger with the headphones suddenly turns on a dime right in front of their path.
There's a lot of people on the Lakefront Path. Probably too many. Yet, this article is not intended to be a hateful diatribe against those who do not take their bikes on it. It is moreso a reminder to those who do on how to be safe. It assumes there will always be the four suburban ladies on their lunch hour walking across the breadth of the path, not noticing the significance of the yellow line they're standing over, who act surprised when bicyclists pass them with a shout. That joggers will always wear headphones and decide that this is just as good a time as any to suddenly turn around to their left without checking over their shoulder. That there will always be trongs of little kids crossing the path without looking, standing in the middle and crying, or just running around in circles, laughing.
These are all completely out of your control, and they will never change. They will always be there. But there are a few things you can do to take responsibility for your own safety when riding on the path. After all, it's you and only you who is ultimately responsible.
Headphones
You are travelling on a bike anywhere between 10 and 25 miles per hour. Many will attest that after years of riding, they have developed a sixth sense for things about to go wrong, a sort of halo-effect from their existing five. Why would you ever take one of those away? Do not be one of these people.
Training
It's perfectly okay to train on the Lakefront Path. Lots do it. Just don't train when there's lots of the other people I described above around. Places to avoid, especially during peak uage times are pretty much anywhere on the North Side - particulary North Avenue Beach, Belmont Harbor, and the Addison tennis courts - and the strip through 35th street by the park, where parents and kids are contantly crossing to the parking lot. Riding in your aero-bars or weaving through a crowd of yuppie volleyballers in your CSC kit, shouting, "on your left," faster than you can breathe in enough air to support it doesn't just make you look like a jackass, it makes you dangerous.
Do not be a "pathlete." There are plenty of clubs and teams to train with safely off of the path.
Share the space
Lanes go both ways. There's room in each lane for two cyclists abreast. Don't ride three or more across, forcing those who are passing you to go too far into the oncoming lane, especially during peak times when the path is crowded. As well, relax during those crowded times. If there are too many other people in your lane to pass without a reasonable expectation of not hitting somebody slower than you, you are obviously in a hurry to get somewhere. Therefore, the Lakefront Path might not be the best way to get there. You might want to consider taking advantage of our great city's more than 100 miles of bike lanes.
Passing
A simple, "on your left" and even a bell ring goes a long way. If the person you are passing is not wearing headphones.
Keep your temper
Just ride on and leave it behind you. Why bother getting that upset about it when in all likelilood it's going to happen again tomorrow? Those people will always be there and only you can keep yourself truly safe. Enjoy all that the Lakefront Path has to offer, and let everyone else enjoy it as well.
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