Originally Posted by
sweeks
Unfortunately, at least in Chicago, there is virtually no enforcement of traffic laws directed at cyclists. So as a bicyclist, you could expect to break the rules without incident even in front of the police. Based on my observations in traffic, cyclists who follow the rules are in the minority compared to those who do what they please because they know it's almost certain they won't be hassled.
Steve
I'd generalize this even further. Most of us don't live under a continuous police presence. I've rarely seen a police car in my neighborhood. Most people break rules all the time: Pedestrians jaywalk, motorists exceed the speed limit, etc.
In my view, even without rules, the behavior of cyclists is likely to be guided by common sense and self preservation. I don't need a rule to tell me not to collide with another cyclist.