Oh that is brilliant.......it's hard enough to get around on a bicycle in many parts here as it is and now we have someone doing this....just great.

Common sense...when your on a bike use your instinct and best judgement don't be trying to dictate some Russian law....bicycle riders neither have the right of way on a sidewalk as it belongs to pedestrians first nor do they have much safety on a road....bicycle riding takes skill and when people do junk like this it gives the good ones a bad rep...so knock it off or get to walking.

Ummmm,I think the 20 year old needs to be reminded she is not in Russia.

Once again why are people riding bikes on sidewalks they belong on the street I walk Oak Park Ave, almost every day and people are riding bikes on the sidewalks and sometimes even look at me like,look out I'm coming though.I point at the street and say "RIDE ON THE STREET ,ITS THE LAW!!"

From my understanding in Tinley Park it is NOT against the law to ride on sidewalks. In Chicago proper it is. I did review TP's ordinances, and there is no specific verbiage that describes this in any ordinance. Illinois law states that bicycles are entitled to all the rights and privileges of the roadway, and must obey all laws applicable to all vehicles while on the roadway.

That said, I personally ride in the street on Oak Park and many other streets whenever possible. I will only go onto a sidewalk when the traffic is in excess of 40 mph on the roadway, or there are safety conditions on the road preventing me from riding there (no shoulder for buffer, would cause traffic impediment due to speed differences, etc.)

You should refer first to the Secretary of State's documents on this first, then your local ordinances;

http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/publications/pdf_publications/dsd_a143.pdf
http://tinyurl.com/tpbikes-ordinance

As a pedestrian, motorist, and bicyclist everyone needs to have their guard up and ride/walk defensively. My rule of thumb is when on the sidewalk with a bike, you should move no faster than a pedestrian would, and approach driveways and intersections with hesitation.

All this said, this is quite a bonehead move and excuse. She is not a diplomat, therefore has no immunity from local laws & customs.

Agreed Brian, riding a bike in the city on sidewalks at speeds above a walking pace would be dangerous because pedestrians aren't looking for bikes and there is a higher risk of conflicts with cars coming out of alleys and driveways.