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Evanston Man Claims Bike Ticket Racially Motivated

The Reverend Michael James is threatening to make the bike stop a federal case after he was ticketed by Glencoe police for illegally travelling northbound in the Sheridan Road construction zone June 30, 'Glencoe News' reports.

 

An Evanston man is claiming racial profiling is the reason he was stopped and ticketed after riding his bicycle through the Sheridan Road construction zone June 30, according to Glencoe News. He also is threatening to make the issue a federal case. 

The Reverend Michael James, 52, stated he didn’t know he was breaking the law as he headed northbound and then headed southbound through the construction area, according to the article.

James was stopped by a Glencoe policewoman and received a $25 ticket.  

He has scheduled a press conference at Glencoe Police Headquarters to address the incident on Saturday, July 7 at 11 a.m., according to Glencoe News.  

Updates on on the water main construction and detour information for motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians is available on the Village of Glencoe website

Winnetka-Glencoe Patch has left messages for Glencoe Police Chief Michael Volling and Deputy Chief Al Kebby and will update this story as more information becomes available.

Correction: 11:41 a.m. The date listed for the citation was previously listed as July 30 when in fact it was June 30.  As our commenter Kurt pointed out, that would be amazing reporting to see in the future. Unfortunately we at Patch, have not figured out how to do that yet! 

On a serious note, we regret the initial error. 

Related Topics: Editor's Picks July 8 2012, Glencoe Police, Glencoe Police Department, Public Safety, and Reverend Michael James

Millie

12:59 pm on Thursday, July 5, 2012

Was the construction zone blocked for cars?

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Melanie Santostefano

1:14 pm on Thursday, July 5, 2012

Hi James,
Yes, according to the village engineer, the construction zone is blocked for motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians as well. There are updates on construction progress on the village website on a weekly basis. I am going to add that link to the above article based on your question.
Thank you!
Melanie

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Scott Nelson

12:20 am on Friday, July 6, 2012

I have been a Glencoe resident for many years. I believe that Glencoe has issues with minority people. The man ticketed might of been belligerent or or threatening which would cause the police to ticket him but if that didn't occur I believe the police racially profile. I have no faith in the Glencoe police. They couldn't catch a cold.

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Festus McMoron

7:40 am on Friday, July 6, 2012

...this guy must be friends with tom greene. get a life pal.

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Tea

8:49 am on Friday, July 6, 2012

What would the police have done if the cyclist was 12 years old or 15 years old? Do you ticket children? Was the signage clearly understandable? Most construction sites do allow motorists access.

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LaVerne

9:45 am on Friday, July 6, 2012

Did you bother to read the article and check out the links?

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Tea

8:33 pm on Friday, July 6, 2012

To Lucas: Yes I did!! What's your freaking point??? I guess you've never ran a light or disobeyed a traffic sign. You're perfect, right? At some point in our lives, we have all made mistakes while driving, biking, boating, etc. Stuff happens no matter how careful we try to be!!

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jim

9:46 am on Saturday, July 7, 2012

TEA:

APPARENTLY YOU MISSED THIS:
Yes, according to the village engineer, the construction zone is blocked for motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians as well. There are updates on construction progress on the village website on a weekly basis. I am going to add that link to the above article based on your question.
Thank you!
Melanie

mij

9:35 am on Friday, July 6, 2012

News Flash: Rules of road apply to people on Bikes

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Rosalind M. Wallace

10:23 am on Friday, July 6, 2012

Cyclists often have the attitude that they are not considered traffic. Darting in and out of traffic, construction zones, school and foot crossings causes dangerous situation and tickets should be issued. It may not be a car, but any mode of transportation used on the roads should be made to adhere to the rules...Cyclists often tend to be arrogant and seem to think they are above the law. Book em Dano!!

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Kurt W

11:37 am on Friday, July 6, 2012

Paragraph 1: Happened on July 30th?
What awesome reporting to have a story on something that hasn't happened yet. I'll have to check the business section to find out where the stockmarket will be on the 30th.

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Melanie Santostefano

11:44 am on Friday, July 6, 2012

Thank you, Kurt, for your keen eye. That correction has been made.
Melanie

Dopey

11:08 am on Monday, July 9, 2012

I can't comment on how this individual was treated by Glencoe Public Safety, although I know they are generally fairly strict about ticketing cyclists (and motorists, don't be mistaken in thinking cyclists get it worse), when they see infractions. Glencoe does get a LOT of cyclists passing through, mainly on Sheridan, and it does appear a deceptively quiet street, which may mean cyclists perhaps take more chances there than they would on busier streets.

I have to say though, that the signs are clear at the moment. No cyclists in either direction on Sheridan, until the work is completed in a few weeks time. The single lane is too narrow for cars and cyclists - it's just too dangerous. And it also seemed pretty clear to me where cyclists can go along the detour. Just saying that you're unfamiliar with somewhere does not mean you can ignore signs, I'm afraid, and police routinely only deal with one individual at a time, when issuing tickets, unless they are working as a team, so they can give their full attention.

It's kind of sad that this has happened, but at least one person didn't know about the detour, eveN with all the publicity, because I saw one cyclist yesterday, cycling the wrong way through the construction zone, with headphones on, completely oblivious to the danger he, and everyone else, were in.

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Richard Schulte

11:41 am on Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Thumbs up for the Glencoe Department of Public Safety.

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