Originally Posted by
kingston
Other than leaving the scene of an accident, I didn't see anything illegal. Cars are allowed to pull over and let people out.
If you didn't see anything illegal, it's because you don't know the law. There is a section of the Municipal Code Of Chicago which deals with opening a door into a traffic space:
9-80-035 Opening and closing vehicle doors.
No person shall open the door of a vehicle on the side available to moving traffic unless and until it is reasonably safe to do so, and can be done without interfering with the movement of other traffic, nor shall any person leave a door open on the side of a vehicle available to moving traffic for a period of time longer than necessary to load or unload passengers.
The reporter who researched the "Caught on Camera" piece linked above did not get the penalty right. See below, MCC 9-4-025 (c)2. Bolded for your reading pleasure. Note the fine.
9-4-025 Bicycle safety violation - Penalty
(a)
- Any person who violates subsection (e) or (f) of Section 9-16-020, subsection (c) of Section 9-36-010, or Section 9-40-060, of this Code, shall be subject to a fine of $150.00 for each offense.
- Any person who violates subsection (e) or (f) of Section 9-16-020, subsection (c) of Section 9-36-010, or Section 9-40-060, of this Code, when such violation causes a collision between a motor vehicle and a bicycle, shall be subject to a fine of $500.00 for each offense.
(b)
- Any person who violates Section 9-40-160 of this Code, when such violation interferes with the movement of a bicycle, shall be subject to a fine of $150.00 for each offense.
- Any person who violates Section 9-40-160 of this Code, when such violation causes a collision between a motor vehicle and a bicycle, shall be subject to a fine of $500.00 for each offense.
(c)
- Any person who violates Section 9-80-035 of this Code, when such violation interferes with the movement of a bicycle, shall be subject to a fine of $300.00 for each offense.
- Any person who violates Section 9-80-035 of this Code, when such violation causes a collision between a motor vehicle and a bicycle, shall be subject to a fine of $1,000.00 for each offense.
(Added Coun. J. 3-12-08, p. 22781, § 2; Amend Coun. J. 6-5-13, p. 54983, § 1)
Sources:
https://www.chicagobikelawfirm.com/p...l-in-one-place
https://willhaley.com/blog/chicago-bicycling/
https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/code...04#JD_9-80-035