There is a newer version of the Illinois Compiled Statutes

View our newest version here

2005 Illinois 625 ILCS 5/ Illinois Vehicle Code. Article XV - Bicycles

(625 ILCS 5/Ch. 11 Art. XV heading)
ARTICLE XV.

BICYCLES

(625 ILCS 5/11‑1429)

Sec. 11‑1429. Excessive idling.

(a) The purpose of this law is to protect public health and the environment by reducing emissions while conserving fuel and maintaining adequate rest and safety of all drivers of diesel vehicles.

(b) As used in this Section, "affected areas" means the counties of Cook, DuPage, Lake, Kane, McHenry, Will, Madison, St. Clair, and Monroe and the townships of Aux Sable and Goose Lake in Grundy County and the township of Oswego in Kendall County.

(c) A person that operates a motor
vehicle operating on diesel fuel in an affected area may not cause or allow the
motor vehicle, when it is not in motion, to idle for more than
a total of 10 minutes within any 60 minute period, except under the following circumstances:

(1) the motor vehicle has a Gross Vehicle Weight

Rating of less than 8,000 pounds;

(2) the motor vehicle idles while forced to remain

motionless because of on‑highway traffic, an official traffic control device or signal, or at the direction of a law enforcement official;

(3) the motor vehicle idles when operating

defrosters, heaters, air conditioners, or other equipment solely to prevent a safety or health emergency;

(4) a police, fire, ambulance, public safety, other

emergency or law enforcement motor vehicle, or any motor vehicle used in an emergency capacity, idles while in an emergency or training mode and not for the convenience of the vehicle operator;

(5) the primary propulsion engine idles for

maintenance, servicing, repairing, or diagnostic purposes if idling is necessary for such activity;

(6) a motor vehicle idles as part of a government

inspection to verify that all equipment is in good working order, provided idling is required as part of the inspection;

(7) when idling of the motor vehicle is required to

operate auxiliary equipment to accomplish the intended use of the vehicle (such as loading, unloading, mixing, or processing cargo; controlling cargo temperature; construction operations; lumbering operations; oil or gas well servicing; or farming operations), provided that this exemption does not apply when the vehicle is idling solely for cabin comfort or to operate non‑essential equipment such as air conditioning, heating, microwave ovens, or televisions;

(8) an armored motor vehicle idles when a person

remains inside the vehicle to guard the contents, or while the vehicle is being loaded or unloaded;

(9) a bus idles a maximum of 15 minutes in any 60

minute period to maintain passenger comfort while non‑driver passengers are on board;

(10) if the motor vehicle has a sleeping berth, when

the operator is occupying the vehicle during a rest or sleep period and idling of the vehicle is required to operate air conditioning or heating;

(11) when the motor vehicle idles due to mechanical

difficulties over which the operator has no control;

(12) the motor vehicle is used as airport ground

support     equipment, including, but not limited to, motor vehicles     operated on the air side of the airport terminal to service     or supply aircraft;

(13) the motor vehicle is (i) a bus owned by a public

    transit authority and (ii) being operated on a designated     bus route or on a street or highway between designated bus     routes for the provision of public transportation;

(14) the motor vehicle is an implement of husbandry

exempt from registration under subdivision A(2) of Section 3‑402 of this Code;

(15) the motor vehicle is owned by an electric

utility and is operated for electricity generation or hydraulic pressure to power equipment necessary in the restoration, repair, modification or installation of electric utility service; or

(16) the outdoor temperature is less than 32 degrees

Fahrenheit or greater than 80 degrees Fahrenheit.

(d) When the outdoor temperature is 32 degrees Fahrenheit

or higher and 80 degrees Fahrenheit or lower, a person who operates a motor vehicle operating on diesel fuel in an affected area may not cause or allow the motor vehicle to idle for a period greater than 30 minutes in any 60 minute period while waiting to weigh, load, or unload cargo or freight,  unless the vehicle is in a line of vehicles that regularly and periodically moves forward.

(e) This Section does not prohibit the operation of an auxiliary power unit or generator set as an alternative to idling the main engine of a motor vehicle operating on diesel fuel.

(f) This Section does not apply to the owner of a motor vehicle rented or leased to another entity or person operating the vehicle.

(g) Any person convicted of any violation of this Section is guilty of
a petty offense and shall be fined $50 for the first
conviction and $150 for a second or subsequent conviction
within any 12 month period.

(Source: P.A. 94‑845, eff. 7‑1‑06.)

(625 ILCS 5/11‑1501) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 11‑1501)

Sec. 11‑1501.

Application of rules.

(a) It is unlawful for any person to
do any act forbidden or fail to perform any act required in Article XV of
Chapter 11 of this Code.

(b) The parent of any child and the guardian of any ward shall not
authorize or knowingly permit any such child or ward to violate any of
the provisions of this Code.

(Source: P.A. 82‑132.)

(625 ILCS 5/11‑1502) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 11‑1502)

Sec. 11‑1502.

Traffic laws apply to persons riding
bicycles.  Every person riding a bicycle upon a highway shall be
granted all of the rights and shall be subject to all of
the duties applicable to the driver of a vehicle by this
Code, except as to special regulations in this Article XV
and except as to those provisions of this Code which by their
nature can have no application.

(Source: P.A. 82‑132.)

(625 ILCS 5/11‑1503) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 11‑1503)

Sec. 11‑1503.

Riding on bicycles.

(a) A person propelling a bicycle
shall not ride other than upon or 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, except that an adult rider
may carry a child securely attached to his person in a back pack or sling.

(Source: P.A. 82‑132.)

(625 ILCS 5/11‑1504) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 11‑1504)

Sec. 11‑1504.

Clinging to vehicles.

No person riding upon any bicycle,
coaster, roller skates,
sled or toy vehicle shall attach the same or himself to any vehicle upon a roadway.

(Source: P.A. 82‑132.)

(625 ILCS 5/11‑1505) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 11‑1505)

Sec. 11‑1505.

Position of bicycles and motorized pedal cycles on
roadways ‑Riding on roadways and bicycle paths.
(a) Any person operating a bicycle or motorized
pedal cycle 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 close as practicable to the right‑hand curb or edge of the
roadway except under the following situations:

1.  When overtaking and passing another bicycle, motorized pedal
cycle or vehicle proceeding in
the same direction; or

2.  When preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into
a private road or driveway; or

3. When reasonably necessary to avoid conditions including,
but not limited to, fixed or moving objects, parked or moving vehicles,
bicycles, motorized pedal cycles, 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,
a "substandard width lane" means a lane that is too narrow for a bicycle
or motorized pedal cycle
and a vehicle to travel safely side by side within the lane.

(b) Any person operating a bicycle or motorized pedal cycle upon a one‑way
highway with two or
more marked traffic lanes may ride as near the left‑hand curb or edge of
such roadway as practicable.

(Source: P.A. 83‑549.)

(625 ILCS 5/11‑1505.1) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 11‑1505.1)

Sec. 11‑1505.1.

Persons riding bicycles or motorized pedal cycles upon
a roadway shall not ride more than 2 abreast, except on paths or parts of
roadways set aside for their exclusive use.  Persons riding 2 abreast shall
not impede the normal and reasonable movement of traffic and, on a laned
roadway, shall ride within a single lane subject to the provisions of
Section 11‑1505.

(Source: P.A. 83‑549.)

(625 ILCS 5/11‑1506) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 11‑1506)

Sec. 11‑1506.

Carrying articles.

No person operating a bicycle shall
carry any package,
bundle or article which prevents the use of both hands in the control
and operation of the bicycle. A person operating a bicycle shall keep at
least one hand on the handlebars at all times.

(Source: P.A. 82‑132.)

(625 ILCS 5/11‑1507) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 11‑1507)

Sec. 11‑1507.

Lamps and other equipment on bicycles.

(a) Every bicycle
when in use at nighttime shall be equipped with a
lamp on the front which shall emit a white light visible from a distance
of at least 500 feet to the front and with a red reflector on the rear
of a type approved by the Department which shall be visible from all
distances from 100 feet to 600 feet to the rear when directly in front
of lawful lower beams of headlamps on a motor vehicle.  A lamp emitting
a red light visible from a distance of 500 feet to the rear may be used
in addition to the red reflector.

(b) A bicycle shall not be equipped with nor shall any person use
upon a bicycle any siren.

(c) Every bicycle shall be equipped with a brake which will
adequately control movement of and stop and hold such bicycle.

(d) No person shall sell a new bicycle or pedal for use on a bicycle
that is not equipped with a reflex reflector conforming to
specifications prescribed by the Department, on each pedal, visible from
the front and rear of the bicycle during darkness from a distance of 200
feet.

(e) No person shall sell or offer for sale a new bicycle that is not
equipped with side reflectors.  Such reflectors shall be visible from
each side of the bicycle from a distance of 500 feet and shall be essentially
colorless or red to
the rear of the center of the bicycle and essentially colorless or amber
to the front of the
center of the bicycle provided.  The requirements of this paragraph may
be met by reflective materials which shall be at least 3/16 of an inch
wide on each side of each tire or rim to indicate as clearly as possible
the continuous circular shape and size of the tires or rims of such
bicycle and which reflective materials may be of the same color on both
the front and rear tire or rim.  Such reflectors shall conform to
specifications prescribed by the Department.

(f) No person shall sell or offer for sale a new bicycle that is not
equipped with an essentially colorless front‑facing reflector.

(Source: P.A. 82‑132.)

(625 ILCS 5/11‑1507.1) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 11‑1507.1)

Sec. 11‑1507.1.

Lamps on motorized pedalcycles.

Every motorized
pedalcycle, when in use at nighttime, shall be equipped with a lamp on
the front which shall emit a white light visible from a distance of at
least 500 feet to the front, and with a red reflector on the rear of a
type approved by the Department which shall be visible from all
distances from 100 feet to 600 feet to the rear when in front of lawful,
low‑powered beams of head lamps on a motor vehicle.  A lamp emitting a
red light visible from a distance of 500 feet to the rear may be used in
addition to the red reflector.

(Source: P.A. 80‑262.)

(625 ILCS 5/11‑1508) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 11‑1508)

Sec. 11‑1508.

Bicycle identifying number.

A person engaged in the business
of selling bicycles at retail shall not sell any bicycle unless the bicycle
has an identifying number permanently stamped or cast on its frame.

(Source: P.A. 82‑132.)

(625 ILCS 5/11‑1509) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 11‑1509)

Sec. 11‑1509.

Inspecting bicycles.

A uniformed police officer may at
any time upon reasonable cause to believe that a bicycle is unsafe or not
equipped as required by law, or that its equipment is not in proper adjustment
or repair, require the person riding the bicycle to stop and submit the
bicycle to an inspection and such test with reference thereto as may be appropriate.

(Source: P.A. 82‑132.)

(625 ILCS 5/11‑1510) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 11‑1510)

Sec. 11‑1510.

Left Turns.

(a) A person riding a bicycle or motorized
pedalcycle intending to turn left shall follow a course described in
Section 11‑801 or in paragraph (b) of this Section.

(b) A person riding a bicycle or motorized pedalcycle intending to turn
left shall approach the
turn as close as practicable to the right curb or edge of the roadway.
After proceeding across the intersecting roadway to the far corner of the
curb or intersection of the roadway edges, the bicyclist or motorized
pedalcycle driver shall stop, as much as practicable out of the way of
traffic.  After stopping the person shall yield to any traffic proceeding
in either direction along the roadway such person had been using.  After
yielding, the bicycle or motorized pedalcycle driver
shall comply with any official
traffic control device or police officer regulating traffic on the highway
along which he intends to proceed, and the bicyclist or motorized pedalcycle
driver may proceed in the new direction.

(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions, the Department
and local authorities in their respective jurisdictions may cause official
traffic‑control devices to be placed and thereby require and direct that
a specific course be traveled by turning bicycles and motorized pedalcycles,
and when such devices are so placed, no person shall turn a bicycle or
motorized pedalcycle other than as directed and required by such devices.

(Source: P.A. 85‑951.)

(625 ILCS 5/11‑1511) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 11‑1511)

Sec. 11‑1511.

Turn and stop signals.

(a) Except as provided in this Section,
a person riding a bicycle shall comply with Section 11‑804.

(b) A signal of intention to turn right or left when required shall be
given during not less than the last 100 feet traveled by the bicycle before
turning, and shall be given while the bicycle is stopped waiting to turn.
A signal by hand and arm need not be given continuously if the hand is needed
in the control or operation of the bicycle.

(Source: P.A. 82‑132.)

(625 ILCS 5/11‑1512) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 11‑1512)

Sec. 11‑1512.

Bicycles on sidewalks.

(a) 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.

(b) 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.

(c) 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.

(Source: P.A. 82‑132.)

(625 ILCS 5/11‑1513) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 11‑1513)

Sec. 11‑1513.

Bicycle parking.

(a) A person may park a bicycle on
a sidewalk unless prohibited or restricted by an official traffic‑control device.

(b) A bicycle parked on a sidewalk shall not impede the normal and reasonable
movement of pedestrian or other traffic.

(c) A bicycle may be parked on the roadway at any angle to the curb or
edge of the roadway at any location where parking is allowed.

(d) A bicycle may be parked on the roadway abreast of another bicycle
or bicycles near the side of the roadway at any location where parking is allowed.

(e) A person shall not park a bicycle on a roadway in such a manner as
to obstruct the movement of a legally parked motor vehicle.

(f) In all other respects, bicycles parked anywhere on a highway shall
conform with the provisions of this Code regulating the parking of vehicles.

(Source: P.A. 82‑132.)

(625 ILCS 5/11‑1514) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 11‑1514)

Sec. 11‑1514.

Bicycle racing.

(a) Bicycle racing on a highway shall
not be unlawful when a racing event has been approved by State or local
authorities on any highway under their respective jurisdictions.  Approval
of bicycle highway racing events shall be granted only under conditions
which assure reasonable safety for all race participants, spectators and
other highways users, and which prevent unreasonable interference with traffic
flow which would seriously inconvenience other highway users.

(b) By agreement with the approving authority, participants in an approved
bicycle highway racing event may be exempted from compliance with any traffic
laws otherwise applicable thereto, provided that traffic control is adequate
to assure the safety of all highway users.

(Source: P.A. 82‑132.)

(625 ILCS 5/11‑1515) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 11‑1515)

Sec. 11‑1515.

No person, firm, or corporation shall operate a
commercial bicycle messenger service in a city with a population of more
than 2,000,000 unless the bicycles used are covered by a liability
insurance policy at the expense of the person, firm, or corporation.  The
insurance policy shall be issued in amounts no less than the minimum
amounts set for bodily injury or death and for destruction of property
under Section 7‑203 of this Code.  No insurer other than an insurer
authorized to do business in this State shall issue a policy under this
Section.

(Source: P.A. 87‑1203.)

Disclaimer: These codes may not be the most recent version. Illinois may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.