Chicago bike lane laws, explained by specific statutes, can assist bicyclists in staying safe on city streets. If you’ve been hurt in a bike crash, contact a Chicago bike accident attorney from our team for assistance.
Types of Bike Lanes in Chicago
Protected Bike Lanes – These have concrete barriers or permanent cones to separate bicyclists from drivers.
Neighborhood Greenways – Generally seen on quieter streets, these have pavement markings, additional signs, and motor vehicle traffic calming measures to slow down drivers. These provide a reasonably safe condition for cyclists, but are not as protected.
Off-Street Trails – Paths like the North Shore Canal Trail or Lakefront Trail are dedicated spaces for people biking or walking.
Bike Lanes – These lanes, like those on North Clark Street or North Winthrop Avenue, are not protected but do provide enough room for cyclists to pass by cars.
Buffered Bike Lanes – Over 20,000 cyclists use the buffered bike lane on Milwaukee Avenue daily. This offers an additional distance for cyclists to keep them away from cars.
Marked Shared Lanes – Cyclists are permitted to use shared lanes, and drivers should pass bicyclists the same way they would pass another car passing in the same direction.
Chicago Municipal Code: Key Ordinances Governing Bike Lanes
Chicago, Illinois, has a variety of statutes related to bikes and bike lanes, including the following.
9-40-060: Obedience to Traffic Control Devices
Many motorists may use the curb lane as additional parking space, but this is illegal if it is a bike lane, as explained by §9-40-060.
9-52-010: Riding on Roadways and Bicycle Paths
§9-52-010 states that a person on a bike is considered the same as someone in a motor vehicle and has the same obligations, including yielding to oncoming traffic when making a left turn at an intersection, coming to a complete stop at red lights, and proceeding with caution when making a right turn.
9-80-035: Opening and Closing Vehicle Doors
§9-80-035 governs dooring accidents, which is when people open car doors in a bike’s path of travel. This can lead to serious injuries for bikers. Any person opening a car door should always check that the path is clear of obstructions.
9-52-020: Restrictions on the Use of Bicycles, etc.
Per §9-52-020, bicycles can only be ridden on sidewalks in areas where this is explicitly allowed. Otherwise, they should use shared lanes or bike lanes.
Other Relevant Ordinances
Per §9-52-040(e), cyclists should use the left side of the street when on a one-way street with multiple lanes. Additionally, §9-52-050 notes that people should ride single-file except on bike-only paths with no motor vehicle access.
Cyclist Rights and Responsibilities in Chicago Bike Lanes
According to the Illinois Vehicle Code §625 ILCS 5/11-1501, cyclists have the following responsibilities :
- Using bike lanes whenever possible
- Staying to the right of traffic
- Leaving the lane only to turn or pass stationary objects
- Signalling their turns and stops
- Obeying traffic laws and signals
- Using reflectors and lights: red for the back bumper and white lights for the front
Motorist Responsibilities in Relation to Chicago Bike Lanes
Drivers also have a responsibility to exercise due caution around cyclists. These include:
- Not driving, parking, or standing in bike lanes
- Yielding to cyclists in bike lanes
- Giving bikes at least three feet of space
- Checking for the presence of bikes before opening doors to prevent dooring accidents
- Avoiding right-hook or left-hook collisions
What to Do if You’ve Been Involved in a Bike Lane Accident in Chicago
- Get Medical Help – Always go to the hospital to get treated. Tell 911 the cross street so you get help faster.
- Report the Crash – Report the accident to the police and the Illinois Department of Transportation.
- Preserve Evidence – Get driver details and preserve your bike.
- Contact a Lawyer – Contact an attorney right away.
How a Chicago Bicycle Accident Lawyer Can Help
Working with a law firm has many advantages, including negotiating with insurance companies, investigating the crash, and maximizing compensation.
We can also determine whether it’s possible to sue the city despite the Tort Immunity Act. The Illinois Supreme Court recently reversed the decision of the appellate court through Alave v. City of Chicago, which states that bicyclists are not intended users but permitted users of roadways.
Unlike a permitted entity, intended users are those a certain property is designed to serve. Despite this, we can identify legal arguments to maximize your compensation both from the city and the negligent driver.
Secure Expert Legal Counsel!
Despite all manner of infrastructure improvements, cyclists are still in danger on the city’s streets. Our law firm can fight for your rights and has recovered $450+ million in damages for our injured clients. schedule a free consultation with a bike accident attorney serving Illinois today.
