Bicycle Accident Guidebook: A Step-by-Step Process for Injured Bicyclists

Bike Laws in Chicago: Safety and Responsibility Applies to Cyclists and Drivers Alike

For the most part, the same rules of the road apply to bicyclists as those which apply to motorists. Efforts to curb the number of bike related injuries have resulted in local and state ordinances that apply specifically to bicyclists, however, so it is important to make sure that you follow the law. Failure to do so could make it much more difficult to take legal action if you are in an accident and could even negate any claim that you would have had otherwise. Just as there are laws applying to you, others have been passed that allow negligent motorists to be held liable if they do not act in an appropriate manner.

City Ordinance 9-52-010 establishes that it is your responsibility to understand and follow all of the Illinois rules of the road and that you will be subject to all traffic devices and laws. This means that you need to stop at all intersections marked with signs or that have lights and cross intersections as you would in a vehicle. Here are the other laws that are specifically meant for bicyclists.

9-52-060. Cyclists must not carry items while riding that prevents them from holding on to the handlebars with at least one hand.

9-52-080. Night riders must have a front headlight and rear red reflector or red light.

9-52-110. Texting or talking on a cell phone while riding a bike is prohibited.

9-52-050. Bicyclists should ride single file when on roadways, unless they are not impeding traffic.

Many of the City of Chicago traffic laws regarding bicycles are for motorists. Since bicyclists are more vulnerable, Chicago Municipal Code puts emphasis on the motorist’s responsibility to not endanger cyclists. Breaking these laws can not only mean penalties for drivers, it can also help prove liability in a bicycle accident injury case.

9-16-020 e. Motorists must yield the right-of-way to bicyclists traveling the opposite direction when making a left hand turn. This includes bicycles that are in or approaching an intersection.

9-36-020 f. When making a right turn, motorists must yield to oncoming bicyclists as they would to a vehicle.

9-36-010 c. Motorists must give at least three feet of clearance when passing a bicycle in the same direction and maintain that clearance until they safely have passed the