Bike Laws Series Part 5 Sidewalk Riding

Next up in our series on Illinois Bike Laws is the issue of “Sidewalk Riding.” Bicycle advocates have fought hard for the right to the road and continue to shape our traffic laws to better accommodate people on bikes.

Sidewalk Riding – Illinois allows bicycles to operate on sidewalks subject to the following rules: 1) a person propelling a bicycle upon and along a sidewalk, or across a roadway upon and along a crosswalk, shall yield the right of way to any pedestrian and shall give audible signal before overtaking and passing such pedestrian; 2) a person shall not ride a bicycle upon and along a sidewalk, or across a roadway upon and along a crosswalk, where such use of bicycles is prohibited by official traffic-control devices; and 3) a person propelling a bicycle upon and along a sidewalk, or across a roadway upon and along a crosswalk, shall have all the rights and duties applicable to a pedestrian under the same circumstances.

However, in areas where sidewalk riding is prohibited, it can be very dangerous, especially for children, to be forced out onto the street on their bikes. Their small size and limited bike-riding ability put them at great risk for being hit and injured by a car, especially if the driver is not paying attention or is distracted.

At Dixon Law Office, we have handled numerous cases involving bicycle accidents and injuries. If you or a loved one has been injured in a bike accident, you need an experienced personal injury attorney to review your case and help you get the compensation you deserve. Call Dixon Law Office today toll-free at (888)354-9880 or click here for a free consultation.