ABATE of Illinois - Chicago Chapter

6th Annual, September 6th 2009 Pictures

MOTORCYCLES ARE BANNED FROM LAKE SHORE DRIVE AND SEVERAL CHICAGO STREETS . !

Believe it that this really happened in Chicago in 1998 when the city of Chicago initiated motorcycle bans on Lake Shore Drive and on several North side Chicago streets near a motorcycle dealership on North Western Avenue. This was in response to some local residents who complained to their aldermen that motorcycles were loud and a nuisance to their neighborhood.

The city installed Motorcycle Ban signs at entry points to Lake Shore Drive, on Lower Wacker Drive and on the North Side of Chicago. Your Local ABATE Chapter in Chicago and The Illinois ABATE Legislative Board initiated legal proceedings against the City Of Chicago citing the facts that vehicle operators who pay road use fees and taxes thru purchasing License plates cannot be restricted from using public roads. Also cited was the fact that Lake Shore Drive running thru Chicago is US Federal Highway # 41. The city also stood the chance of losing millions of dollars in federal highway dollars to repair local streets and roads in the Chicago area one of which was Lower Wacker Drive.

The City Acknowledged these facts and the motorcycle ban signage was immediately removed.

ABATE Member " Heavy" was there when workers from the City Of Chicago returned to remove the Motorcycle Ban Signs from a North Side Chicago Street after Legislative action By ABATE cited that this was illegal !!!

"A MAJOR VICTORY FOR ALL MOTORCYCLISTS"

This resulted in sending a message out to all municipalities nationally that motorcyclists have as much right to use public roads as does any other tax paying vehicle operator.

Join us in celebrating this victory by participating in the 10th anniversary of our victory and celebrating our "Freedom" to be able to ride on Scenic Lake Shore Drive which is listed as one of the top ten Water Front roads thru a large city. The ride will only take 1 hour and food and fun will be available at Joe's Bar after the ride. Commemorative ride pin will be available for purchase.

"FREEDOM IS NOT FREE"