Laws That Protect Chicago Bicyclists

 

Bicyclists in Illinois and Chicago have the legal right to share the road with motor vehicles on the roadways.  Additionally, bicyclists have the legal responsibly to follow that same traffic laws that motor vehicles do.  The bicycle injury lawyers of Zneimer & Zneimer P.C. often use violations these statutes to prove negligence when litigating bike injury cases.

Illinois State Laws Protecting Bicyclists

1. Three-Foot Passing Law (625 ILCS 5/11-703)

Illinois law requires motorists to maintain at least three feet of clearance when passing a bicyclist. If traffic conditions do not allow for safe passing with this clearance, the driver must wait until it is safe to do so.

2. Right-of-Way for Bicyclists (625 ILCS 5/11-1003.1)

Motorists must yield to bicyclists when required by traffic laws, such as at intersections or when making turns. By the same token, bicyclists must yield to motorists when required by traffic laws such as stop sighs and yielding when making a left turn.

3. Dooring Law (625 ILCS 5/11-1407)

It is illegal for drivers or passengers to open a vehicle door into the path of a bicyclist unless it is safe to do so. Violations of this law can result a ticket.

4. Bicycle Lane Protections (625 ILCS 5/11-1513)

Motor vehicles are prohibited from driving, parking, or standing in designated bicycle lanes except when necessary to avoid conflict with other traffic or when turning. It is not uncommon for vehicles to park in biking lanes causing bicyclist to have to go into the motorist’s lane.  Bike activists have been pushing for more tickets to be given for this infraction.

5. Safe Following Distance (625 ILCS 5/11-1412.1)

Motorists must not follow bicyclists too closely. A safe distance must be maintained to prevent collisions in case the cyclist stops or slows down.  Bicyclists must also keep a safe distance.

Chicago-Specific Bicycle Protection Ordinances

In addition to Illinois state laws, Chicago has several ordinances specifically designed to protect bicyclists.

1. The Chicago Safe Passing Ordinance (Municipal Code of Chicago 9-36-010)

The same as state law.  Drivers must keep a safe distance when passing.

2. Prohibition of Doorings (Municipal Code of Chicago 9-80-035)

Chicago’s ticket penalties for dooring violations are among the highest in the country.

3. Driving in Bike Lanes (Municipal Code of Chicago 9-40-060)

Drivers may not stop or park in the bike lanes.

4. Turning and Yielding to Bicyclists (Municipal Code of Chicago 9-16-020 & 9-16-030)

Motorists must yield to bicyclists when making turns. Bicyclist must yield to motorists when they have a stop or yield sign.

If you have been in a bike crash, call the bike injury lawyers of Zneimer & Zneimer P.C. for a free consultation.