Many Chicago residents ride bikes for fun, exercise, or to get to work. Unfortunately, navigating the crowded streets of a busy city isn’t always easy, and many drivers either don’t see or disregard the rights of cyclists. Therefore, cyclists must understand bicycle safety in Chicago and what state and local laws apply to them. Here’s an essential guide to bike safety in Chicago:
Ride in the Right Location
Riding safely in Chicago starts with understanding where you can and should ride when using city streets. Here are a few Chicago bike safety tips concerning where you can and can’t travel on your bike:
- Ride with Traffic: Cyclists must ride in the same direction as traffic. Riding against traffic is illegal and extremely dangerous
. - Stay to the Right: Cyclists must ride as close as practical to the right-hand curb unless they are passing, turning left, avoiding hazards, or traveling in a narrow lane
. - Use of Sidewalks: Bicycles cannot be used on sidewalks in Chicago if the rider is 12 years or older, except in areas designated as bike routes
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There are vital laws that dictate how other traffic should interact with cyclists under state and local regulations. For example, drivers must maintain at least three feet of distance when passing a cyclist
Be Careful at Crosswalks
Crosswalks are hotspots for bicycle crashes in Chicago because crossing a street puts cyclists directly into the path of other vehicles. While cyclists generally have the right-of-way when crossing the street as long as they wait for the appropriate traffic signal, drivers sometimes overlook cyclists or ignore their right of way. Bicycle riders in Chicago should always stop at crosswalks and check for oncoming traffic from every direction. Furthermore, it’s a good idea for cyclists to make eye contact with approaching drivers to ensure the driver sees them before crossing the street.
Make Yourself Seen
Bicycles are much smaller than cars or even motorcycles. If you’re bicycling, making yourself more visible is important to help reduce the chances of a collision. Wearing bright or reflective clothing, particularly at night, makes it easier for others to see you riding your bike and avoid causing a crash. Furthermore, the law says cyclists riding at night must have a front white light visible from at least 500 feet and a rear red reflector or light visible from 100-600 feet
Be Prepared
Planning before a ride can greatly reduce a cyclist’s chances of being injured in a collision. Cyclists should always check their gear before riding, including the pressure in their tires, the proper placement of gear chains, and the integrity of the bike’s chassis.
For cyclists, being prepared also includes awareness of what others around them are doing. That means actively looking for potential hazards in the area and avoiding distractions like listening to music, talking on the phone, or talking to other cyclists.
Contact Us if You Have an Accident
While these cycling safety tips in Chicago can help you avoid a crash, you can’t always control the circumstances of a ride or the actions of others on the road. If you were injured in a Chicago bicycle collision, our experienced attorneys can identify the liable parties and pursue the compensation you deserve. Call Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. now or complete our contact form for a free consultation.
