In Chicago, Where Exactly Should I be Riding my Bike on the Street?

General

Illinois Motor Vehicle Code section 625 ILCS 5/11-1505, outlines the position of bicycles and motorized pedal cycles on roadways and the use of bicycle paths in Illinois.

This law requires any person who operates a bicycle or motorized pedal cycle on a roadway at a speed lower than the normal traffic speed to ride as close as possible and safely to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway. You should adhere to this rule unless certain situations arise where riding in a different position becomes necessary for safety reasons.

These situations include when you overtake and pass another bicycle, motorized pedal cycle, or vehicle traveling in the same direction. It also applies when you prepare for a left turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway. Furthermore, you should adjust your position on the road when it is reasonably necessary to avoid fixed or moving objects, parked or moving vehicles, pedestrians, animals, surface hazards, or substandard width lanes that make it unsafe to continue along the right-hand curb or edge. The rule also applies when you approach a place where a right turn is authorized.

Moreover, if you are cycling on a one-way highway with two or more marked traffic lanes, you may ride as close as possible to the left-hand curb or edge of the roadway.

It is important to note that this law aims to protect both cyclists and motorists on the road. By riding as close as possible and safely to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway, cyclists can help minimize the risk of collisions with other vehicles. However, cyclists must also remain aware of their surroundings and adjust their position on the road when necessary for their safety.

We have represented several clients whose cases hinged on the positioning of their bike in relation to the defendant’s vehicle. It is evident that insurance companies often employ weak and incorrect arguments to assert that injured cyclists were at fault due to their positioning on the road. If you have been injured in a bike accident, please contact us to discuss your case. We have the expertise and experience to handle such claims and provide you with the necessary legal support.

If you’ve been injured in a bike accident, give us a call today.