This law guarantees the bicyclists the same rights on a road as the driver of a motor vehicle. The person riding the bicycle receives the right to travel on any public road so long as he or she follows the same laws that apply to motor vehicles. Signals must be used in order to turn, the right of way must be given at intersections and the cyclist must obey any traffic signs so long as he or she is on the bike. For example, if there is a no right turn sign, the rider must either obey the sign or dismount the bicycle to make the turn as a pedestrian.
When a person is on his or her bike, drivers must treat him or her with the same courtesy as another vehicle on the road and when the person dismounts from the bicycle, he or she needs to be treated as a pedestrian. The provisions in the the traffic code that apply specifically to bicycles are applicable when a person rides a bicycle on a public street, path, sidewalk or any path set aside especially for the use of bicycles.
The standard fine for violating this law is $25.00.
Added Coun. J. 7-12-90, p. 18634 – From the Chicago Department of Transportation.
The drivers of cars, trucks and other vehicles that fail to use proper signals and obey traffic control signals can be held legally responsible for bike crashes and rider injuries. At Chicago Bike Injury Lawyers we are committed to seeing injured cyclists receive every type of damages that they are entitled to under the law.
Additional Resources:
- http://www.isp.state.il.us/docs/5-035.pdf
- http://www.chicagobikes.org/bikelaws/bikelawcard2007.pdf
- http://www.bikelib.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/bikelawcard2011.pdf
- http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs4.asp?DocName=062500050HCh.+11+Art.+XV&ActID=1815&ChapAct=625%C2%A0ILCS%C2%A05/&ChapterID=49&ChapterName=VEHICLES&SectionID=59725&SeqStart=124000000&SeqEnd=125900000&ActName=Illinois+Vehicle+Code.