Additional Resources

Bike Safety Tips

Wear a helmet at all times.
Obey all traffic laws, signs and signals.
Keep to the right and close to the curb or side of the road.
Keep brakes, lights, reflectors, horn or bell, and other safety devices in good working condition.
Learn and use the hand signals for turns and stops.
Give pedestrians and vehicles the right of way.
Avoid riding after dark. If you must ride after dark, the bicycle must have a headlight and red taillight or reflector. Wear something white.
Do not speed, race or weave in and out of traffic.
Do not carry passengers or big packages.
Never hitch on to a truck, car or moving vehicle.
Travel in single file when riding with others.
Keep both hands on the handle bars, except to signal a stop or turn.
Slow down at intersections.
Dismount and walk across dangerous intersections or streets. Do not turn or cross unless it is safe.
Never squeeze into narrow places or between two automobiles.
Avoid busy streets or highways. Bicycles are not allowed on most expressways, toll roads or interstates.

625 ILCS 5/11-1503 - Riding on bicycles

Sec. 11-1503. Riding on bicycles. (a) A person propelling a bicycle shall not ride other than upon or astride a permanent and regular seat attached thereto. (b) No bicycle shall be used to carry more persons at one time than the number for which it is designed and equipped, except that an adult rider may carry a child securely attached to his person in a back pack or sling.

625 ILCS 5/11-1504 - Clinging to vehicles

Sec. 11-1504. Clinging to vehicles. No person riding upon any bicycle, coaster, roller skates, sled or toy vehicle shall attach the same or himself to any vehicle upon a roadway.

625 ILCS 5/11-1505.1 -Riding bicycles upon roadway

Sec. 11-1505.1. Persons riding bicycles upon a roadway shall not ride more than 2 abreast, except on paths or parts of roadways set aside for their exclusive use. Persons riding 2 abreast shall not impede the normal and reasonable movement of traffic and, on a laned roadway, shall ride within a single lane subject to the provisions of Section 11-1505 (625 ILCS 5/11-1505}.

625 ILCS 5/11-1506 - Carrying articles

Sec. 11-1506. Carrying articles. No person operating a bicycle shall carry any package, bundle or article which prevents the use of both hands in the control and operation of the bicycle. A person operating a bicycle shall keep at least one hand on the handlebars at all times.

625 ILCS 5/11-1507 - Lamps and other equipment on bicycles

Sec. 11-1507. Lamps and other equipment on bicycles.

(a) Every bicycle, when in use at nighttime, shall be equipped with a lamp on the front, which shall emit a white light visible from a distance of at least 500 feet to the front and with a red reflector on the rear, of a type approved by the Department, which shall be visible from all distances from 100 feet to 600 feet to the rear when directly in front of lawful lower beams of head lamps on a motor vehicle. A lamp emitting a red light visible from a distance of 500 feet to the rear may be used in addition to the red reflector.
(b) A bicycle shall not be equipped with nor shall any person use upon a bicycle any siren.
(c) Every bicycle shall be equipped with a brake which will adequately control movement of and stop and hold such bicycle.

625 ILCS 5/11-1509 - Inspecting bicycles

Sec. 11-1509. Inspecting bicycles. A uniformed police officer may at any time upon reasonable cause to believe that a bicycle is unsafe or not equipped as required by law, or that its equipment is not in proper adjustment or repair, require the person riding the bicycle to stop and submit the bicycle to an inspection and such test with reference thereto as may be appropriate.