LINCOLN PARK — Blowing through red lights, biking without a headlight and cycling on the sidewalk are some of the most common complaints against cyclists in the city.
Chicago's Bicycling Ambassadors will be targeting those violations at a series of of bike safety enforcement events in the 43rd Ward this summer.
The first event was held Monday at the intersection of Clark and Deming, but eight more are set through September.
Bikers beware. The 43rd Ward is setting up checkpoints to catch law-breaking cyclists:
The Bicycling Ambassadors are part of the city's bicycle safety outreach and education team.
They will be teaming up with police districts throughout 25 wards this summer for 100 enforcement events.
The enforcement events will also target motorists who park in bike lanes, open their doors in front of cyclists, pass cyclists with less than three feet of clearance and drive distracted.
"We have, I'm sure, one of the heaviest uses of resident cyclists as well as people commuting through the ward and everyone wants to be safe," said Ald. Michele Smith (43rd).
Smith said the goal of the events is to make the neighborhood a safer place to ride as well as drive.
Free bike headlights will be distributed at some events.
The full schedule in the 43rd Ward:
• July 6 - Clark/Belden 4-6 p.m.
• July 21 - Sheffield/Fullerton 4-6 p.m.
• July 30 - Lincoln/Sheffield/Wrightwood 4-6 p.m.
• Aug. 13 - Clark/Fullerton 4-6 p.m.
• Aug. 27 - Halsted/Willow 4-6 p.m.
• Aug. 31 - Broadway/Clark/Diversey 4-6 p.m.
• Sept. 10 - Lincoln/Belden/Orchard 7-9 p.m. (Bike lights will be distributed)
• Sept. 14 - Halsted/Diversey 4-6 p.m.
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