A white vintage bicycle parked at a beach boardwalk rack overlooking the ocean on a sunny day.
State bicycle laws give bicyclists the same rights and duties applicable to motor vehicle drivers on public roadways (625 ILCS 5/11-1502). If a motorist’s negligence causes a cycling accident, you have the right to file an insurance claim and pursue compensation for your injuries and damages. The stronger your understanding of these statutes, the stronger your injury claim.
Bicycles are not classified as “vehicles” (625 ILCS 5/1-217), which means certain provisions, like DUI, do not apply to a standard pedal bicycle. But as a rule, every traffic law applies. Many people do not understand this distinction, and that gap in awareness is where crashes and disputes begin.
Illinois Bicycle Laws: Quick Reference
Violating any of these requirements can affect fault in an accident claim. See also the Ride Illinois site.
Rules of the Road
- Traffic laws: Obey all traffic signals, stop signs, and pavement markings (625 ILCS 5/11-1502)
- Riding direction: Ride with the flow of vehicles; riding against oncoming traffic is prohibited (§11-1505)
- Road position: Ride as close as practicable to the right hand curb or edge of the roadway, with exceptions for hazards, left turns, overtaking, and substandard width lanes (§11-1505)
- Bike lane: The state does NOT require bicyclists to use a bike lane, even when one is available
- Sidewalk: No statewide ban; local ordinances may restrict. Yield to pedestrians
- Riding abreast: Permitted if you do not impede normal movement (§11-1505.1)
- Hand signals: Required during the last 100 feet before turning (§11-1511)
Safety and Equipment
- Front light: White light visible from at least 500 feet (required sunset to sunrise)
- Rear/reflector: Red reflector or rear red reflector visible from 100 to 600 feet. Flashing red rear also permitted
- Brakes: Must stop and hold on dry pavement
- Bell: No state requirement. Chicago requires a bell or audible device
- Helmets: No statewide requirement. Some municipalities require helmets for minors
- Seat: Must ride on a fixed, permanent seat (§11-1503)
Motorist Rules
- Safe passing: Motor vehicle drivers must provide at least 3 feet of clearance (625 ILCS 5/11-703(d)). Penalties range from misdemeanor to felony if the violation causes serious harm
- No-passing zones: A motorist may pass a cyclist if the cyclist is under half the posted limit, the motorist does not exceed the limit, and it can be done safely
- Dooring: Persons in a motor vehicle must check for approaching cyclists before opening any door on the street side (§11-1407). Fine: $1,000
E-Bikes
- Class 1: Pedal-assist only, low-speed electric bicycle with motor cutoff at 20 mph
- Class 2: Throttle-controlled, low-speed electric bicycle with motor cutoff at 20 mph
- Class 3: Pedal-assist only, low-speed electric bicycle with motor cutoff at 28 mph. Must be at least 16
- All e-bike classes are prohibited from sidewalks statewide (625 ILCS 5/11-1517(g))
- No license, registration, or insurance required
What traffic laws apply to cyclists?
The core statute is 625 ILCS 5/11-1502: every person riding a bicycle on a highway or roadway “shall be granted all of the rights and shall be subject to all of the duties applicable to the driver of a vehicle,” except where cycling-specific regulations say otherwise. Article XV of the code (Section 11-1502 through Section 11-1517) adds provisions covering road position, signaling, safety equipment, and e-bikes. Local ordinances may also impose stricter requirements.
What rights do bicyclists have?
There is no statewide bicycle helmet law for any age group, placing the state alongside Arizona and Texas. Some localities enforce their own ordinances: Skokie requires helmets for people under 17 (Section 106-227, $50 fine), and Chicago requires helmets for messengers and delivery workers. Even though no statewide law was broken, not wearing a helmet CAN reduce your injury compensation for head injuries under the state’s comparative negligence provisions.
Bicyclists can use public roads
Bicycles belong on most public roadways (Section 11-1502). The exception is limited-access highway stretches, which are marked with signs. Other than that, any person may ride freely on any urban or rural road or street.
Right to full roadway use
The code says that persons riding bicycles should ride as close as practicable to the right hand curb or edge of the roadway. Section 11-1505 lists exceptions to this rule: a bicyclist may take the full lane when passing another bicycle or car, preparing for a left turn at an intersection, avoiding hazards and conditions including potholes, debris, and parked cars, approaching a place where a right turn is authorized, or when the roadway is too narrow for a bicycle and a car to travel safely side by side (a “substandard width lane”). On a one-way roadway with two or more marked traffic lanes, a rider may also ride near the left-hand side.
Right-of-way in crosswalks and designated bicycle paths
Bicyclists are treated as pedestrians in crosswalks, which means all operators owe you the right-of-way (Section 11-1512(c)). The same right-of-way protections apply at any intersection with an official traffic control device.
The state does NOT require you to use a designated bicycle path. Bicyclists may choose to ride in the travel lane in a safe manner regardless of whether a separate path exists.
Safe passing distance
The code requires motor vehicle operators to leave at least 3 feet of distance when overtaking a rider and to maintain that clearance until safely past (625 ILCS 5/11-703(d)).
A violation is a misdemeanor (up to 1 year in jail, $2,500 fine). If the violation causes great bodily harm, permanent disability, or disfigurement, it escalates to a felony (2 to 5 years in prison, up to $25,000 fine) (Section 11-703(f)).
A motorist may also pass a bicyclist in a no-passing zone, but only if three conditions are met: the bicyclist is traveling at less than half the posted limit, the motorist does not exceed the limit while passing, and the maneuver can be completed safely.
Other bicyclist protections
You can park your bicycle anywhere a car can legally park, at any angle to the curb, and on the sidewalk too, as long as it does not impede pedestrian movement (625 ILCS 5/11-1513). Bicycle parking is also permitted abreast of another bicycle in a manner that does not block foot traffic.
Because Section 11-1502 grants you the same protections as vehicle drivers, you can file insurance claims, recover medical expenses, and seek damages in court. Having an attorney on your side helps ensure your claim is properly valued.
What responsibilities do bicyclists have?
If you violate a traffic rule and get into a cycling accident, the other side may argue comparative negligence (735 ILCS 5/2-1116). The state follows a modified comparative negligence system with a 50% bar: if you are found 50% or more at fault, you recover nothing. If you are less than 50% at fault, your compensation is reduced by your fault percentage.
Obey official traffic control devices
If you run through an official traffic control device and get into a crash, your ability to recover full damages may be compromised. Running a red or a stop sign is one of the most common bicyclist violations that leads to a comparative negligence argument.
One exception: outside of Chicago, some localities allow people to proceed through a red that fails to detect their bicycle (a “dead red”) after stopping and yielding to all approaching motorists. The city does NOT have this provision.
Ride with the flow of traffic
Riding against traffic is a statutory violation and exceptionally dangerous because people in cars do not expect a bicyclist approaching from the wrong direction, increasing the risk of a head-on collision at an intersection or along a narrow street.
Use hand signals when turning or stopping
Persons riding bicycles must use arm gestures to communicate intent (Section 11-1511). The statute requires you to signal during the last 100 feet before turning and while stopped waiting to turn. A signal can be briefly interrupted if you need both hands for control.
The standard arm signals are:
- Extend your left arm horizontally to indicate a left turn.
- Left arm extended upward at a 90-degree angle to indicate a right turn. You can also simply extend your right arm to the side.
- Left arm extended downward at a 90-degree angle to indicate that you are slowing or stopping.
Yield to pedestrians
You must yield to pedestrians when sharing a path or crosswalk (Section 11-1512). Right-of-way always belongs to those on foot in these spaces. Before overtaking a pedestrian, warn them with an audible device such as a bell or a verbal call.
Ride no more than two abreast
Bicyclists may ride side by side on a roadway (Section 11-1505.1), but no more than two abreast, and only if you do not impede normal movement. Riding three or more across is permitted only on roadways set aside for exclusive use, such as dedicated paths or closed courses used for bicycle racing.
Use a fixed seat and proper safety gear
You shall ride on a fixed, permanent seat (Section 11-1503(a)). Required gear includes brakes, a front lamp, and reflectors (Section 11-1507). For night riding, the lamp must emit a white light visible from at least 500 feet, and the rear reflector must be visible from 100 to 600 feet. A flashing red rear is also permitted as a supplement. New bicycles sold in the state must also include pedal and side reflectors and a front-facing reflector (Section 11-1507(c)-(f)).
In addition, a police officer may require a bicyclist to stop for a safety inspection (625 ILCS 5/11-1509).
In addition, you cannot carry passengers unless there is a proper seat for the child securely attached or a proper adult seat. Riding with other people on the frame or handlebars is illegal (Section 11-1503(b)).
Maintain at least one hand on handlebars
You must keep at least one hand on the handlebars at all times, and you may not carry any package that prevents the use of both hands for control (625 ILCS 5/11-1506). Clinging to a moving vehicle while biking is also prohibited.
Can you get a DUI on a bicycle?
On a traditional pedal bicycle, no. The DUI statute (625 ILCS 5/11-501) applies to the operation of a “vehicle,” and the code definition (625 ILCS 5/1-217) excludes devices moved by human power. A standard pedal bicycle does not qualify, and the state has no separate biking-under-the-influence law (source). Read more about cycling DUI information on our site.
Because a pedal bicycle is not a “vehicle,” cycling infractions do not result in moving violations on your license. Low-speed electric bicycles are different. A pedal-assist-only model is generally treated the same as a traditional bicycle, but throttle-controlled and higher-speed models may face both DUI exposure and license implications because the motor can bring these machines within the statutory “vehicle” definition. Consult an attorney if you are cited while riding an e-bike.
Riding while intoxicated on a pedal bicycle is still not consequence-free. Alcohol involvement by the motorist, the rider, or both was a factor in 34% of fatal crashes nationally in 2023 (NHTSA). A police officer can cite you for disorderly conduct or violations of local ordinances.
Local city-specific regulations
Municipalities can layer their own ordinances on top of state provisions, making certain requirements stricter without contradicting state statutes.
Chicago regulations
Sidewalk riding is largely prohibited (Municipal Code 9-52-020). A person can still cycle on a sidewalk if they are 12 years of age or younger, or if the sidewalk is marked as a dedicated route.
The city also requires a bell or audible device on every bicycle (sirens and whistles prohibited). The 2013 Safety Ordinance raised fines for cycling violations from a flat $25 to $50 through $200 and doubled the dooring fine from $500 to $1,000. Dooring accounts for nearly 20% of all cycling crashes in the area. If you have been doored, the person who opened the door on the street side is liable for damages, and you can pursue an injury claim.
Rockford regulations
Riders under the age of 16 are allowed on city walkways, except in downtown areas. Others are banned from riding in that place. The fine for violating this ordinance is $750.
Naperville regulations
Riders can use the sidewalk anywhere except in the downtown district and on the Riverwalk. This applies to traditional bicycles only; e-bikes are forbidden on walkways in the city. Those 16 and over are allowed to operate a higher-speed model.
Other cities
Schaumburg prohibits cycling on walkways in business districts. Joliet follows state provisions with no additional local restrictions.
Electric bicycle regulations
In 2018, the state adopted a framework for this class of bicycle transportation aligned with the classification system used in 48 states (625 ILCS 5/1-140.10), adding provisions under Article XV of Chapter 11. All standard state laws apply to these bicycles, and all classes require a motor under 750 watts and fully operable pedals.
- Class 1: Pedal-assist only. A low-speed electric bicycle with motor cutoff at 20 mph.
- Class 2: Throttle-controlled. A low-speed electric bicycle with motor cutoff at 20 mph.
- Class 3: Pedal-assist only. A low-speed electric bicycle with motor cutoff at 28 mph. Requires a functioning speedometer. The person must be at least 16 years of age.
All three e-bike classes are prohibited from sidewalks statewide (625 ILCS 5/11-1517(g)). Every model must display a manufacturer’s label showing its classification number, top assisted speed, and motor wattage. Tampering with that capability without updating the label is a violation (Section 11-1517(c)).
Local authorities have the power to restrict specific classes on paths and property (Section 11-1517(f)). On IDNR state property, e-bikes are permitted only on roadways, parking lots, or posted trails.
Do I need a license to ride a bicycle?
No. Even though most provisions of Chapter 11 of the code apply to bicyclists, you do not need a license to ride. No registration or liability insurance is required for any e-bike either; the state treats them as bicycles for purposes of transportation and operation (Section 11-1517(b)(h)). Visit the Ride Illinois site for more information about local roads, parking, and registration.
Cycling laws in other states
Safe passing distances, helmet mandates, parking ordinances, and sidewalk restrictions differ by state. Pennsylvania requires 4 feet of passing distance instead of 3, and California mandates helmets for people under 18.
If you’re a cyclist who has been in an accident, call today for a free initial consult about your legal claim. We’re here to help with your legal questions. Contact our law firm for coast-to-coast bike accident and personal injury representation.
Since his academic days at the UC Berkeley School of Law, Robert Goldwater has remained a committed advocate for victims of other people’s negligence. His tort law background, together with his unquenchable thirst for justice, helped young Robert found a now-successful law firm – Bicycle Accident Lawyers Group, gathering same-minded and promising attorneys from all over the country.
