With 100 miles of bike lanes installed throughout Chicago and the peak bicycle-riding season just around the corner, City officials are reminding motorists that parking or idling in a bike lane is not only dangerous to cyclists--it's illegal.

Together, the Department of Revenue (DOR) and the Department of Transportation (CDOT) will begin enforcement efforts aimed at making streets safer for cyclists. Parking tickets will be issued to motor vehicles found parked or idling in a bike lane. Motorists should be reminded that parking in a bike lane might cost them a $100 fine and risk having their vehicle towed.

"Cars parked in bike lanes endanger the lives of bicyclists by forcing them to swerve unexpectedly into faster motor-vehicle traffic," said Bea Reyna-Hickey, Department of Revenue Director.

Bike lanes, five- or six-foot-wide striped lanes on the right side of the road, encourage bicycling by giving bicyclists a dedicated riding space.

To report problematic areas with bike lanes, residents may call the city's bike hotline at 312-742-BIKE (2453) or the 311 non-emergency number.

For more information on bicycling in Chicago, residents may visit CDOT's Web site at www.ChicagoBikes.org.