Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Driver Services
Bicycle Safety
On most roadways, bicyclists (including those on electric bikes or low speed vehicles such as scooters and mopeds) have the same rights and responsibilities as other roadway users. The following are important laws and safety tips regarding bicyclists:
- Bicyclists are prohibited on limited-access highways, expressways and certain other marked roadways.
- Bicyclists are required to travel in the same direction as vehicles.
- Bicyclists should travel just to the right of faster moving traffic. However, certain hazards such as rough surfaces, debris, drainage grates or a narrow traffic lane may require bike riders to move toward the center of the lane.
- Drivers must yield the right-of-way to a bicyclist just as they would to another vehicle.
- When passing a bicyclist, motorists must do so slowly and leave at least three feet of passing space.
- Crowding or threatening a bicyclist is prohibited.
- A motorist should not park or drive in marked bicycle lanes.
- When following bicyclists, give them plenty of room and be prepared to stop quickly. Use extra caution during rainy and icy weather. At night do not use high beams when you see an oncoming bicycle rider.
- After parking and before opening vehicle doors, a motorist should first check for bicyclists.
- When a motorist is turning left and there is a bicyclist entering the intersection from the opposite direction, the driver should wait for the bicyclist to pass before making the turn. Also, if a motorist is sharing the left turn lane with a bicyclist, stay behind them until they have safely completed their turn.
- If a motorist is turning right and a bicyclist is approaching on the right, let the bicyclist go through the intersection first before making a right turn. Remember to always signal when turning.
- Low-speed electric or gas bicycles must have a motor of less than 1 horsepower and must be operated by a person who is at least age 16.
- Low-speed electric and gas bicycles may only be driven on streets and may not exceed 20 mph. They may not be driven on sidewalks.
- Low-speed and electric bicycles must follow all laws applicable to bicyclists.
For more information, you can view the Illinois Bicycle Rules of the Road in the publications section or obtain a copy at your local Secretary of State facility.
Quick Links
- Bicycle Rules of the Road
- Bike Safety Quiz
- Bicycle Safety Tips
- Bicycle Skills Course Instruction Manual
- Videos – Bike Safety with Brian Vowell – Bicycle Safety Cartoon
- NHTSA Traffic Safety Facts, Bicyclists and other Cyclists Statistics
Pedestrian Safety
Drivers and pedestrians both are responsible for traffic safety. Drivers should always be prepared to yield the right-of-way and should not drive unnecessarily close to pedestrians.
When approaching a pedestrian with a disability who is utilizing a guide dog, a white cane, a wheelchair or other assistive device on a sidewalk or roadway, the pedestrian has the right-of-way and is granted the same rights as any pedestrian.
A driver must come to a complete stop (and yield):
- When a pedestrian is in a marked crosswalk.
- On school days, when children are in close proximity to a school zone crosswalk.
- A driver must yield to a pedestrian.
- When a pedestrian is in an unmarked crosswalk on the driver's side of the roadway and there are no traffic control signals.
- When making a turn at any intersection.
- When making a lawful turn on a red light after coming to a complete stop.
- After coming to a complete stop at a stop sign or flashing red signal at an intersection.
- When a pedestrian enters a crosswalk before the traffic light changed.
- When a pedestrian is walking with a green light, to a walking person symbol or a walk signal.
- When a pedestrian is leaving or entering a street or highway from an alley, building, private road or driveway.
- When a pedestrian is entering an intersection with a flashing yellow arrow.
For more information, please see the Rules of the Road.