It may take superb balance to pull off, but texting bicyclists could soon face fines while riding on city streets.
A proposal making it illegal to talk or text on a cellphone while bicycling was endorsed by a panel of aldermen Monday, according to the Chicago Tribune.
The proposal, which faces a full city council vote on Wednesday, would impose fines as high as $500 on bicyclists caught using their phone without a hands-free device.
If approved, the ban will go into effect next month. The fine for a first offense would be $20 to $50, and fines would increase for each subsequent offense. If the offense came during a traffic accident, the fine could go as high as $500.
The proposal was put forth by Ald. Margaret Laurino (39th) who said the measure was "common sense" and that she has actually "seen people riding and texting with both hands."
