Chicago Bicycling Regulations
This is a selection of links and quotations from the Illinois Compiled Statutes (ILCS) and the Municipal Code of Chicago (MCC) where they discuss bicycling and bicyclists. This article also references regulations regarding driving, motorists, and regulations that impact people who ride bikes.
This article exists for my personal reference. It is not meant as any authoritative source of information or suggestion of any sort of behavior.
I am not a lawyer and I take no risk and I do not offer any assurances, guarantees, responsibilities, or liabilities for the reader’s benefit or ailment for anything communicated in this article or any other related or unrelated information.
Conclusions listed below are the opinions of a single individual and have no legal bearing anywhere in any universe.
Right hook crashes
A “right hook” is when a driver crashes into a person riding a bike while attempting to turn to the right. The driver has an obligation to look for traffic on their right, and exercise caution, and when they fail to do so they can kill someone.
(f) Turning right in front of a bicycle. When a motor vehicle and a bicycle are traveling in the same direction on any highway, street, or road, the operator of the motor vehicle overtaking such bicycle traveling on the right side of the roadway shall not turn to the right in front of the bicycle at that intersection or at any alley or driveway until such vehicle has overtaken and is safely clear of the bicycle.
- 9-16-020 Turning at intersections. https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/chicago/latest/chicago_il/0-0-0-2645347
Turning left in front of a person bicycling
When a driver wants to turn left at an intersection, the driver is obligated to yield to people riding bicycles and similar vehicles.
(e) Right-of-way to a bicycle on left turn. The driver of a vehicle within an intersection intending to turn to the left shall yield the right-of-way to a bicycle approaching from the opposite direction which is within the intersection or so close thereto as to constitute an immediate hazard.
- 9-16-020 Turning at intersections. https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/chicago/latest/chicago_il/0-0-0-2645347
Right of way
This is not so much bicycling-specific, but a rule-of-the-road that many people seem to forget or disregard.
Drivers must yield the right of way to other vehicles on the right, including people riding bicycles.
(a) When 2 vehicles approach or enter an intersection from different roadways at approximately the same time, the driver of the vehicle on the left must yield the right-of-way to the vehicle on the right.
- 625 ILCS 5/11-901. https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/documents/062500050K11-901.htm
The word “approximately” does a lot of heavy lifting here. Who decides what is or is not “approximate”? Regardless, if a person operating a bicycle and a motorist driving a car both arrive at an intersection at “approximately” the same time then the traffic should yield to the right-most vehicle as specified by this statute.
Passing on the left
State and local Chicago laws agree that drivers must give at least 3 feet of space when passing someone on a bicycle.
The operator of a motor vehicle overtaking a bicycle or individual proceeding in the same direction on a highway shall leave a safe distance, but not less than 3 feet, when passing the bicycle or individual and shall maintain that distance until safely past the overtaken bicycle or individual.
- 9-36-010 Overtaking on the left. https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/chicago/latest/chicago_il/0-0-0-2645489
The operator of a motor vehicle overtaking a bicycle or individual proceeding in the same direction on a highway shall leave a safe distance, but not less than 3 feet, when passing the bicycle or individual and shall maintain that distance until safely past the overtaken bicycle or individual.
- 625 ILCS 5/11-703. https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/documents/062500050k11-703.htm
Parking in bicycle lanes
It is illegal to park in a bike lane in the City of Chicago. A bicycle lane is not a loading zone or parking area. Drivers cannot in any way impede bike travel in designated lanes. They cannot stand or park or drive through bike lanes. If they do so they are subject to a fine and immediate towing
(a) Prohibition.
(1) The driver of a vehicle shall not drive, unless entering or exiting a legal parking space, upon any on-street path or lane designated by official signs or markings for the use of bicycles, or otherwise drive or place the vehicle in such a manner as to impede bicycle traffic on such path or lane.
(2) The driver of a vehicle shall not: (i) stand or park a vehicle upon any on-street path or lane designated by official signs or markings for the use of bicycles; (ii) stand or park upon any lane designated by pavement markings for the shared use of motor vehicles and bicycles; or (iii) stand the vehicle in such a manner as to impede bicycle traffic on such lane.
(3) In addition to the fine provided in Section 9-4-025 of this Code, any vehicle parked in violation of subsection (a)(2) shall be subject to an immediate tow and removal to a city vehicle pound or authorized garage pursuant to Section 9-92-030.
(4) Notwithstanding subsections (a)(1) and (a)(2), the driver of a bus may stop the bus in any such lane: (i) at a designated bus stop for the purpose of loading or unloading of passengers; (ii) in case of an emergency; or (iii) as permitted in Section 9-48-050(d) of this Code.
…
(d) Enforcement. Any police officer shall have authority to enforce the provisions of this section. In addition, any traffic control aide, or other designated member of the Police Department, or any parking enforcement aide or other person designated by the Traffic Compliance Administrator, Commissioner of Transportation, or the Commissioner of Streets and Sanitation shall have authority to enforce the provisions of subsection (a)(2) of this section.
- 9-40-060 Driving, standing or parking on bicycle paths or lanes prohibited. https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/chicago/latest/chicago_il/0-0-0-2645590
A bus can park in the bike lane during normal loading/unloading or if there are extenuating circumstances, but no other vehicle can.
See also a special notice from the City of Chicago as well as official media from IDOT regarding enforcement of regulation 9-40-060.
Drivers should be cautious
Drivers should be cautious near people biking and drivers should drive as defensively as they would around pedestrians
Every driver of a vehicle shall exercise due care to avoid colliding with any pedestrian, or any person operating a bicycle or other device propelled by human or animal power, upon any roadway, and shall give warning by sounding the horn when necessary and shall exercise proper precautions upon observing any child or any confused or incapacitated person upon a roadway.
- 9-40-160 Drivers to exercise due care. https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/chicago/latest/chicago_il/0-0-0-2645633#JD_9-40-160
Riding bikes on sidewalks
People can ride bikes on the sidewalk if the sidewalk is designated for cycling, to enter or exit traffic, or to access a bike share (Divvy) station.
Kids under 12 can ride on the sidewalk any time
(a) Unless the prohibition imposed by subsection (c) or (d) applies, a person may ride a bicycle upon a sidewalk along a business street only if such sidewalk has been officially designated and marked as a bicycle route, or such sidewalk is used to enter the nearest roadway, intersection, or designated bicycle path, or to access a bicycle share station.
(b) Unless the prohibition imposed by subsection (a), (c), or (d) applies, a person 12 or more years of age may ride a bicycle upon any sidewalk along any roadway only if such sidewalk has been officially designated and marked as a bicycle route, or such sidewalk is used to enter the nearest roadway, intersection, or designated bicycle path, or to access a bicycle share station.
(c) Bicycles shall not be operated on Lake Shore Drive or on any public way where the operation of bicycles has been prohibited and signs have been erected indicating such prohibition.
- 9-52-020 Riding bicycles on sidewalks and certain roadways. https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/chicago/latest/chicago_il/0-0-0-2645812#JD_9-52-020
Bicycling speed limits
Regulations around speed are ambiguous. Don’t break the speed limit, just like a driver shouldn’t, and ride safely.
No person shall operate a bicycle at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under the conditions then existing.
- 9-52-030 Speed of bicycles. https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/chicago/latest/chicago_il/0-0-0-2645822
Avoid the “Door Zone”
Avoid the “door zone” — The “door zone” extends 4 feet along the left side of a lane of parked cars, where a person opening a door while exiting a car can hit and seriously injure a person biking. As shown below, (1) Ride at least 4 feet away from parked cars on the street. (2) Take the full lane if there is no room to safely pass open car doors and to avoid exiting passengers.
- Illinois Bicycle Rules of the Road (2024) https://www.ilsos.gov/publications/pdf_publications/dsd_a143.pdf
Where on the road to ride a bike
Most of this is common sense, but there are some interesting notes.
- Yield to pedestrians in general
- Yield when leaving an alley or otherwise entering traffic
- Yield on a sidewalk to pedestrians
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Ride as far to the right as is practicable.
“Practicable” is not the same as
“possible”
- People biking can pass vehicles, other people biking, obstructions, and other road hazards as needed
- People biking do not have to ride in the gutter
- People biking are allowed to avoid road hazards
- People biking can and should leave ample space between sitting cars to avoid the “door zone”
- People biking on the road can and should use the left lane to turn just like a car driver would
- People may bike on the left side of the road for a multi-lane one-way
Nothing prescribes that a person must bike in the bike lane. There are many reasons why a person would specifically not ride through a bike lane at any given time.
(a) The operator of a bicycle emerging from an alley, driveway or building shall, upon approaching a sidewalk or the sidewalk area extending across any alleyway, yield the right-of-way to all pedestrians approaching on the sidewalk or sidewalk area and, upon entering the roadway, shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles approaching on the roadway.
(b) Whenever any person is riding a bicycle upon a sidewalk, such person shall yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian and shall give audible signal before overtaking and passing such pedestrian.
(c) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (e) of this section, any bicyclist upon a roadway at less than the normal speed of traffic at the time and place and under the conditions then existing shall ride as near as practicable and safe to the right-hand side of the roadway, except in the following circumstances:
(1) when overtaking another bicycle or vehicle proceeding in the same direction; or
(2) when preparing for a left turn; or
(3) when reasonably necessary to avoid conditions including, but not limited to, fixed or moving objects, parked or moving vehicles, bicycles, pedestrians, animals, surface hazards, or substandard width lanes that make it unsafe to continue along the right-hand curb or edge. For purposes of this subsection, the term “substandard width lane” means a lane that is too narrow for a bicycle and a vehicle to travel safely side by side within the lane; or
(4) when approaching a place where a right turn is authorized.
(d) Other than while riding a Class 3 low-speed electric bicycle, any bicyclist upon a roadway is permitted to pass on the right side of a slower-moving or standing vehicle or bicycle, but must exercise due care when doing so. When approaching a vehicle which has discharged passengers from its right side, a bicyclist must either yield to those pedestrians or pass on the left.
(e) Any person operating a bicycle upon a one-way roadway with two or more marked traffic lanes may ride as near to the left-hand side of such roadway as practicable.
- 9-52-040 Yielding right-of-way. https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/chicago/latest/chicago_il/0-0-0-2645825
Hand signals
A bicyclist upon the roadway or upon any public path set aside for the use of bicycles shall give hand and arm signals in the following manner:
- Left turn, left hand and arm extended horizontally;
- Right turn, left hand and arm extended upward, or right hand and arm extended horizontally;
- Stop or decrease speed, left or right hand and arm extended downward.
9-52-045 Bicycle operator’s signals – Hand and arm – Manner. https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/chicago/latest/chicago_il/0-0-0-2645836
A person biking may use either hand to signal a turn.
Parking a bike
(a) No person shall park a bicycle upon a street other than upon the roadway against the curb or upon the sidewalk against a rack, parking meter or sign pole to support the bicycle or against a building or at the curb in such manner as to afford the least obstruction to pedestrian traffic. (b) A bicycle may be parked within a parking space designated for the parking of a low-speed electric mobility device pursuant to Section 9-52-130 if such parking space has a rack or device to support a bicycle.
9-52-070 Parking. https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/chicago/latest/chicago_il/0-0-0-2645848
It is legal to park a bike against a sign pole or parking meter. A bike does not have to be parked at a rack, but it should be parked so that it does not obstruct pedestrian traffic.
Bike accessories and equipment
Headlamps are required at night as well as rear red reflectors or a rear red light. At least one wheel brake is required
(a) Every bicycle when in use at nighttime shall be equipped with a head lamp which shall emit a white light visible from a minimum distance of 500 feet from the front and with a rear red reflector capable of reflecting the head lamp beams of an approaching motor vehicle back to the operator of such vehicle at distances up to 200 feet or a rear lamp emitting a red light visible from a distance of at least 200 feet from the rear.
(b) Every bicycle shall be equipped with a brake that will enable the operator to make the braked wheel skid on dry, level, clean pavement.
- 9-52-080 Headlamps, reflectors and brakes. https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/chicago/latest/chicago_il/0-0-0-2645859
Not having lights at night gives police officers an excuse to pull someone over while riding a bike. For safety, appropriate lights should be used at night.
Dooring someone on a bike
A person biking typically gets “doored” when a driver or passenger opens their car door and injures a person on a bike. People who do not pay attention and open their door into any traffic are responsible for the injuries they cause.
No person shall open the door of a vehicle on the side available to moving traffic unless and until it is reasonably safe to do so, and can be done without interfering with the movement of other traffic, nor shall any person leave a door open on the side of a vehicle available to moving traffic for a period of time longer than necessary to load or unload passengers.
- 9-80-035 Opening and closing vehicle doors. https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/chicago/latest/chicago_il/0-0-0-2647104
Drivers are legally at fault for doorings and any crashes resulting from opening their door into traffic. Drivers cannot leave their doors open into traffic for an excessive/dangerous length of time
Personal Thoughts
Please avoid the word “accident” and encourage the use of the word “crash”, or at least “incident” or “collision”.
- https://www.forbes.com/sites/carltonreid/2019/11/17/crash-not-accident-better-road-safety-reporting-could-save-lives-show-researchers/
- https://www.laura-laker.com/news/2023/12/21/road-collision-reporting-guidelines-work
- https://www.npr.org/sections/publiceditor/2023/10/19/1207121301/preferred-words
Consider how often in movies and TV shows a car crash is used as a plot point, and most often these are fairly unremarkable moments in the narrative. In the real world, why do we accept that tens of thousands of traffic-related deaths are acceptable? Do we value the convenience and ease of cars more than those lives? Every death due to a a traffic-related crash is a failure. Streets and roads are for people. They have been for thousands of years and still are today. Do not let car companies trick you into believing only cars belong there now.
To call a crash an accident immediately absolves the driver of all responsibility. Do you know with certainty that the driver didn’t crash on purpose? Even if the driver feels remorseful or guilty after the fact, they may have been experiencing road rage when they crashed into the pedestrian or other vulnerable road user. The easiest way to kill someone and get away with it is to crash one’s car into them and say it was an “accident”.
Does the driver have a history of traffic collisions? Maybe the driver is negligent, careless, drunk, or generally a terrible driver. Driving is a privilege, not a right.
To say that someone crashing their multi-ton vehicle into a pedestrian, a child, a person riding a bike, was just an “accident” implies it was some unavoidable mistake, which it’s not. Perhaps it was unintentional, but that doesn’t absolve the driver of responsibility for their actions. The crash was avoidable, and someone may be dead.
Additional Resources
See also a Traffic Enforcement for Bicyclist Safety - Chicago Police video made by the Chicago Police Department highlighting traffic violations that can endanger bicycle safety.
“Bikes do belong on the road
“It is illegal to turn right in front of a bicyclist … the same goes for making a left turn in front of a bicyclist”
“Caution costs just a few seconds”
“Motorists must leave at least 3 feet of space between their vehicle and a bike”
“Before opening the door of a car drivers have an obligation to check for traffic coming from behind. Especially bikes”
“Drivers who use bike lanes to get through traffic should be cited”
“Bicyclists must drive in the same direction as cars”
“It is illegal to drive in a bike lane”