BICYCLES - OPERATION

Municipal Code of Chicago tit. 9, ch. 9-52

in effect

Municipal Code of Chicago § 9-52-010 Rights and duties.

9-52-010 Rights and duties. (a) Every bicyclist upon a roadway shall be granted all of the rights and shall be subject to all of the duties applicable to the driver of a vehicle by the laws of this state declaring rules of the road applicable to vehicles or by the traffic ordinances of this city applicable to the driver of a vehicle, except as otherwise explicitly provided in this Code, or as to those provisions of laws and ordinances which by their nature can have no application. (b) The regulations in the traffic code applicable to bicycles shall apply whenever a bicycle is operated upon any roadway or public sidewalk or upon any public path set aside for the use of bicycles, subject to those exceptions stated herein. (c) Whenever authorized signs are erected indicating that no right or left turn or turn in the opposite direction is permitted, no bicyclist shall disobey the direction of any such sign unless he dismounts from the bicycle to make the turn, in which event he shall then obey the regulations applicable to pedestrians. (d) Unless another fine or penalty is specifically provided in this chapter, any person who violates this chapter shall be fined not less than $50.00 nor more than $200.00 for each offense. (Added Coun. J. 7-12-90, p. 18634; Amend Coun. J. 11-5-08, p. 43682, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 6-5-13, p. 54983, § 1)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 9-52-020 Riding bicycles on sidewalks and certain roadways.

9-52-020 Riding bicycles on sidewalks and certain roadways. (a) Unless the prohibition imposed by subsection (c) or (d) applies, a person may ride a bicycle upon a sidewalk along a business street only if such sidewalk has been officially designated and marked as a bicycle route, or such sidewalk is used to enter the nearest roadway, intersection, or designated bicycle path, or to access a bicycle share station. (b) Unless the prohibition imposed by subsection (a), (c), or (d) applies, a person 12 or more years of age may ride a bicycle upon any sidewalk along any roadway only if such sidewalk has been officially designated and marked as a bicycle route, or such sidewalk is used to enter the nearest roadway, intersection, or designated bicycle path, or to access a bicycle share station. (c) Bicycles shall not be operated on Lake Shore Drive or on any public way where the operation of bicycles has been prohibited and signs have been erected indicating such prohibition. (d) No person may ride a Class 3 low-speed electric bicycle upon any sidewalk. (Added Coun. J. 7-12-90, p. 18634; Amend Coun. J. 6-5-13, p. 54983, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 9-11-13, p. 59827, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 4-10-19, p. 99061, § 1)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 9-52-021 Riding on North Sheridan Road sidewalk prohibited.

9-52-021 Riding on North Sheridan Road sidewalk prohibited. (a) No person 12 or more years of age shall ride a bicycle on the sidewalk adjacent to North Sheridan Road, between West Ardmore Avenue and West Sheridan Road (6400 north). The penalty for any person age 18 and older who violates this section shall be a fine of $200. (b) In accordance with Section 9-52-020(c), the commissioner of transportation is authorized to erect and maintain signage which gives notice of the prohibition in subsection (a) of this section. No person shall be found in violation of this section unless the required signage has been posted. (Added Coun. J. 2-6-02, p. 79154, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 6-4-03, p. 2538, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 9-11-13, p. 59827, § 1)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 9-52-030 Speed of bicycles.

9-52-030 Speed of bicycles. No person shall operate a bicycle at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under the conditions then existing. (Added Coun. J. 7-12-90, p. 18634)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 9-52-040 Yielding right-of-way.

9-52-040 Yielding right-of-way. (a) The operator of a bicycle emerging from an alley, driveway or building shall, upon approaching a sidewalk or the sidewalk area extending across any alleyway, yield the right-of-way to all pedestrians approaching on the sidewalk or sidewalk area and, upon entering the roadway, shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles approaching on the roadway. (b) Whenever any person is riding a bicycle upon a sidewalk, such person shall yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian and shall give audible signal before overtaking and passing such pedestrian. (c) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (e) of this section, any bicyclist upon a roadway at less than the normal speed of traffic at the time and place and under the conditions then existing shall ride as near as practicable and safe to the right-hand side of the roadway, except in the following circumstances: (1) when overtaking another bicycle or vehicle proceeding in the same direction; or (2) when preparing for a left turn; or (3) when reasonably necessary to avoid conditions including, but not limited to, fixed or moving objects, parked or moving vehicles, bicycles, pedestrians, animals, surface hazards, or substandard width lanes that make it unsafe to continue along the right-hand curb or edge. For purposes of this subsection, the term "substandard width lane" means a lane that is too narrow for a bicycle and a vehicle to travel safely side by side within the lane; or (4) when approaching a place where a right turn is authorized. (d) Other than while riding a Class 3 low-speed electric bicycle, any bicyclist upon a roadway is permitted to pass on the right side of a slower-moving or standing vehicle or bicycle, but must exercise due care when doing so. When approaching a vehicle which has discharged passengers from its right side, a bicyclist must either yield to those pedestrians or pass on the left. (e) Any person operating a bicycle upon a one-way roadway with two or more marked traffic lanes may ride as near to the left-hand side of such roadway as practicable. (Added Coun. J. 7-12-90, p. 18634; Amend Coun. J. 6-5-13, p. 54983, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 4-10-19, p. 99061, § 1)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 9-52-045 Bicycle operator's signals - Hand and arm - Manner.

9-52-045 Bicycle operator's signals - Hand and arm - Manner. A bicyclist upon the roadway or upon any public path set aside for the use of bicycles shall give hand and arm signals in the following manner: 1. Left turn, left hand and arm extended horizontally; 2. Right turn, left hand and arm extended upward, or right hand and arm extended horizontally; 3. Stop or decrease speed, left or right hand and arm extended downward. (Added Coun. J. 6-5-13, p. 54983, § 1)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 9-52-050 Riding in single file required - Exceptions.

9-52-050 Riding in single file required - Exceptions. Persons riding bicycles upon a roadway shall ride single file except on paths or parts of roadways set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles or except when riding two abreast does not impede the normal and reasonable movement of traffic. Persons riding two abreast shall ride within a single lane subject to Section 9-52-040 of this Code. (Added Coun. J. 7-12-90, p. 18634; Amend Coun. J. 6-5-13, p. 54983, § 1)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 9-52-060 Carrying articles on bicycles.

9-52-060 Carrying articles on bicycles. No person operating a bicycle shall carry any package, bundle or article which prevents the rider from keeping at least one hand upon the handlebars. (Added Coun. J. 7-12-90, p. 18634)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 9-52-070 Parking.

9-52-070 Parking. (a) No person shall park a bicycle upon a street other than upon the roadway against the curb or upon the sidewalk against a rack, parking meter or sign pole to support the bicycle or against a building or at the curb in such manner as to afford the least obstruction to pedestrian traffic. (b) A bicycle may be parked within a parking space designated for the parking of a low-speed electric mobility device pursuant to Section 9-52-130 if such parking space has a rack or device to support a bicycle. (Added Coun. J. 7-12-90, p. 18634; Amend Coun. J. 7-21-04, p. 28659, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 10-14-21, p. 37486, § 2)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 9-52-071 Abandoned bicycles.

9-52-071 Abandoned bicycles. (a) It shall be unlawful for any person to abandon any bicycle on any public way within the city. A bicycle shall be deemed abandoned if it: (1) is in such a state of disrepair as to be incapable of being operated in its present condition, or (2) has not been moved or used in more than seven days and bears physical indicia of having been deserted. (b) Any bicycle deemed abandoned pursuant to subsection (a) of this section may have a notice affixed to it which informs the bicycle's owner that the bicycle appears to be abandoned. The commissioner of transportation or his designee is authorized to affix such notices upon bicycles. This notice shall indicate: (1) a telephone number for the owner to call to inform the department of transportation that the bicycle is not abandoned; and (2) the date after which the bicycle may be removed if it is not claimed by its owner. A bicycle shall not be deemed to be abandoned if the owner of the bicycle, within seven days of the affixing of a notice of abandonment, notifies the department of transportation that the bicycle is not abandoned. (c) If a bicycle is not relocated or claimed by its owner within seven days of the affixing of a notice of abandonment, that bicycle may be removed and disposed of by the commissioner of transportation or his designee. (Added Coun. J. 7-21-04, p. 28659, § 1)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 9-52-080 Headlamps, reflectors and brakes.

9-52-080 Headlamps, reflectors and brakes. (a) Every bicycle when in use at nighttime shall be equipped with a head lamp which shall emit a white light visible from a minimum distance of 500 feet from the front and with a rear red reflector capable of reflecting the head lamp beams of an approaching motor vehicle back to the operator of such vehicle at distances up to 200 feet or a rear lamp emitting a red light visible from a distance of at least 200 feet from the rear. (b) Every bicycle shall be equipped with a brake that will enable the operator to make the braked wheel skid on dry, level, clean pavement. (Added Coun. J. 7-12-90, p. 18634)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 9-52-090 Riding regulations.

9-52-090 Riding regulations. (a) A person propelling a bicycle shall not ride other than 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. (Added Coun. J. 7-12-90, p. 18634)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 9-52-100 Parents or legal guardians responsibility.

9-52-100 Parents or legal guardians responsibility. No parent or legal guardian of any child shall authorize or knowingly permit the child to violate any of the provisions of this chapter applicable to bicycles. (Added Coun. J. 7-12-90, p. 18634)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 9-52-110 Use of communication devices while operating a bicycle.

9-52-110 Use of communication devices while operating a bicycle. (a) For purposes of this section only, the following definitions apply: "Communication device" means a device, including but not limited to a wireless telephone, personal digital assistant, or a portable or mobile computer, which is designed to transmit and receive electronic messages. "Electronic message" means a self-contained piece of digital communication that is designed or intended to be transmitted between communication devices. An "electronic message" includes, but is not limited to electronic mail, a text message, an instant message, a command or request to access an internet site, or talking or listening to another person on the telephone or other communication device. "Using" means composing, reading, sending or listening to an electronic message. (b) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (c) of this section, no person shall operate a bicycle while using a communication device. (c) The provisions of this section shall not apply to a: (1) law enforcement officer or other emergency responder, when on duty and acting in his official capacity; (2) person using a communication device with a "hands free" device or in a voice-activated mode, which allows the person to talk into and listen to the other party without the use of hands; (3) person using a communication device for the sole purpose of reporting an emergency situation and continued communication with emergency personnel during the emergency situation; or (4) person using a communication device while maintaining a bicycle in a stationary position. (d) Any person who violates any provision of this section shall be fined not less than $20.00 nor more than $50.00 for the first offense, not less than $50.00 nor more than $75.00 for the second offense, and not less than $75.00 nor more than $100.00 for a third or any subsequent offense. (e) In addition to any fine provided for in this section, if a violation of subsection (b) of this section occurs at the time of a traffic crash, the person operating the bicycle may be fined in an amount not to exceed $500.00. (Added Coun. J. 10-5-11, p. 8815, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 6-5-13, p. 54983, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 11-17-21, p. 41319, Art. V, § 3)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 9-52-120 Low-speed electric bicycles.

9-52-120 Low-speed electric bicycles. (a) Except as provided in Sections 9-36-020, 9-40-060, 9-52-020, and 9-52-040, the provisions of Title 9 of this Code that apply to bicycles shall also apply to low-speed electric bicycles. (b) Low-speed electric bicycles operated in the City shall comply with equipment and manufacturing requirements adopted by the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission under 16 C.F.R. 1512 and 625 ILCS 5/11-1517(b) and (c). No person shall knowingly tamper with or modify the speed capability or engagement threshold of a low-speed electric bicycle without replacing the label required under 625 ILCS 5/11-1517(c). (c) A Class 2 low-speed electric bicycle shall operate so that the electric motor is disengaged or ceases to function when the brakes are applied. A Class 1 low-speed electric bicycle and a Class 3 low-speed electric bicycle shall operate so that the electric motor is disengaged when the rider stops pedaling. (d) Only a person 16 years of age or older may operate a Class 3 low-speed electric bicycle. (Added Coun. J. 4-10-19, p. 99061, § 1)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 9-52-125 Low-speed electric delivery bicycles.

9-52-125 Low-speed electric delivery bicycles. (a) Except as otherwise provided in this section and Section 9-4-010, the provisions of Title 9 of this Code that apply to bicycles shall also apply to low-speed electric delivery bicycles. (b) The Commissioner is authorized to adopt rules that provide equipment requirements, and design, dimension, motor size and weight (with load and without load) specifications for low-speed electric delivery bicycles. Such requirements and specifications must be: (i) consistent with applicable national standards; and (ii) reasonably necessary to protect the health, safety and welfare of all public way users, including operators of such bicycles. (c) No low-speed electric delivery bicycle shall be operated in the City without approval by the Commissioner that a prototype of such bicycle meets the requirements applicable to such bicycle in this Code and rules promulgated by the Commissioner. (d) No person shall knowingly tamper with or modify the speed capability or engagement threshold of a low-speed electric delivery bicycle. (e) No person shall operate or park a low-speed electric delivery bicycle upon any sidewalk. (f) A low-speed electric delivery bicycle may only be used for bicycle messenger services and may only be operated by a bicycle operator, as these terms are defined in Section 4-168-010. (g) In addition to other applicable laws, a low-speed electric delivery bicycle shall be operated in compliance with Chapter 4-168. (Added Coun. J. 10-7-20, p. 21525, § 2)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 9-52-130 Low-speed electric mobility devices.

9-52-130 Low-speed electric mobility devices. (a) The Commissioner of Transportation is authorized to designate a low-speed electric mobility device parking space or rack on the public way, if the Commissioner determines that establishing such parking space or rack: (i) will not create hazards in the use of the public way by vehicular or pedestrian traffic; (ii) will not impede the safe and efficient flow of traffic upon the public way on which the parking space or rack is proposed; and (iii) will benefit and convenience the public. The Commissioner of Transportation shall designate low-speed electric mobility device parking spaces or racks by appropriate signs or roadway markings or both, as applicable. It shall be unlawful to park a vehicle other than a low-speed electric mobility device, or bicycle as provided in Section 9-52-070(b), in any low-speed electric mobility device parking space that the Commissioner has designated by appropriate signs or markings. (b) No person shall park a low-speed electric mobility device on the public way except: (1) in any parking space or against any rack designated for such purpose by the Commissioner of Transportation; or (2) against a rack, parking meter or sign pole to support the low-speed electric mobility device. (c) Except as otherwise provided in this section, the provisions of Title 9 of this Code that apply to the operation and parking of bicycles shall also apply to the operation and parking of low-speed electric mobility devices. (Added Coun. J. 4-10-19, p. 99061, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 10-14-21, p. 37486, § 2)

Source: City of Chicago, Municipal Code of Chicago (American Legal Publishing, codelibrary.amlegal.com)URL: https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/chicago/latest/chicago_il/0-0-0-2645788Fetched: 10/24/2026