Cycling in Illinois

Cycling in Illinois encompasses recreation, bikeways, laws and rules, and advocacy. The director of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Joel Brunsvold, explained Illinois cycling opportunities: “Bicycle riding is one of the most popular outdoor recreational activities in Illinois, enjoyed by young and old alike...Illinois has a variety of trails for the public to enjoy. The terrain includes flat prairie land to rolling hills, towering bluffs to breathtaking river and lakefront views.”[1] Many communities across the state are updating bicycle infrastructure in order to accommodate the increased number of cyclists on the roads in recent years. Illinois has very few roadways with paved shoulders and almost no bicycle lanes except in urban areas. Keyhole bike lanes (between through traffic lanes and right turn lanes) are virtually non-existent.

Recreation

Lake Shore Drive during Bike the Drive

Illinois has a lively bike culture with many clubs, groups, and places to ride. One can find road, cyclocross, and mountain bike racing as well as non-competitive and charity rides across the state.

The Illinois Cycling Association promotes amateur bicycle racing by hosting a race calendar and database of racing clubs/team. The types of races listed on the calendar consist of road, criterium, track, and cyclocross. Information about Illinois mountain bike clubs and trails can be found at Illinois Mountain Bike. The site include links to regional Illinois mountain bike clubs as well as a calendar of events.

One of the notable non-competitive bicycle events in Illinois is Bike the Drive. Bike the Drive is an opportunity for cyclists to ride a 15-mile stretch of Lake Shore Drive (Chicago) without any automobile traffic. During the 2009 Bike the Drive, the drive was closed to automobile traffic from 5:30 am to 10:30 am.[2] Each cyclist chooses his own route from the 30 mile (round trip) course and rides at his own pace. Riders may ride the course as many times as possible during the specified event time. The ride benefits the Active Transportation Alliance (formerly Chicagoland Bicycle Federation).

Laws and rules

While there are some Illinois laws specific to bicycles, generally, bicyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as roadway users.[3] Since bicyclists have the same rights, motorists must be aware of and interact with bicyclists appropriately and lawfully. Bicyclists are responsible for obeying all of the applicable rules for motorists as well as obeying all bicycle specific laws when traveling on public roadways.

Motorists interacting with bicyclists

Motorists are legally obligated to:

Bicyclists interacting with motorists

Bicyclists are required to adhere to Illinois traffic laws, unless otherwise specified. In addition, there are rules governing bicyclists' behavior in certain situations.

Lane position

When traveling at a slower speed than vehicular traffic, bicyclists must ride as close to the right hand edge as is safe and practicable. Exceptions include: when passing another bicycle or vehicle traveling in the same direction, when preparing for a left turn, when necessary to avoid objects or road hazards, when traveling on a road of width too narrow for bicycles and motorized vehicles to safely travel side by side, when approaching a place where a right turn is authorized, when traveling on a one-way road with two or more lanes (bicyclist can ride on left-hand side).[4]

Left turns

When preparing for a left turn, bicyclist have may choose from two styles of turns: vehicular and pedestrian. A vehicular-style turn, as the name implies, mimics the procedure of motor vehicle. The bicyclist moves (after signaling) to the left turn lane or left side of the lane (in the absence of a left turn lane). Proceed with the turn according to traffic signals. When executing a pedestrian-style turn, the bicyclist remains on the right hand side of the roadway and proceeds through the cross street, stopping at the corner. From this point, the bi=ed in the new direction, yielding to traffic and obeying traffic signals.[4]

Hand signal

Bicyclists must use hand signals when preparing to turn or stop.

Signal a left turn by extending the left arm horizontally.

Signal a right turn by:

  1. extending the left arm, bending at the elbow, and extending the forearm upward, or
  2. extending the arm horizontally (only legal for bicyclists, not motorists).

Signal slowing/stopping by extending the left arm horizontally, bending at the elbow, and pointing down with a flat/open hand.[4]

Riding at night

Riding a bicycle at night requires special attention. When operating a bicycle at nighttime, a bicycle must be equipped with (and be operating) a functional, white lamp that is viewable from at least 500 ft. In addition, the bicycle must be mounted with an Illinois Department of Transportation approved, red reflector visible from 100 – 600 ft.[5]

Advocacy

Advocacy groups exist to promote the needs and interests of bicyclists. The needs of bicyclists include improving riding conditions/access, educating cyclists about laws and safety, educating motorists about laws and safety, and sharing the benefits of riding a bike with the general public.

The League of Illinois Bicyclists is a major, statewide advocacy group. Its vision and mission statements follow.

"Illinois - Land of Safe and Enjoyable Bicycling for all. The League of Illinois Bicyclists is the statewide advocate for all Illinois bicyclists, promoting bicycle access, education, and safety."[6]

Formerly the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation, the Active Transportation Alliance has broadened its vision and mission statement and is now a Chicago-based advocacy group that promotes the interests of bicycling, walking, and public transit.

"The mission of Active Transportation Alliance is to make bicycling, walking and public transit so safe, convenient and fun that we will achieve a significant shift from environmentally harmful, sedentary travel to clean, active travel. We advocate for transportation that encourages and promotes safety, physical activity, health, recreation, social interaction, equity, environmental stewardship and resource conservation.""[7]

Bikeways

Illinois has both multi-use and dedicated bike paths throughout the state. IDOT (Illinois Department of Transportation) provides nine regional interactive maps. The maps include information on the location of dedicated bike infrastructure. Also, included is an assessment of the bike friendliness of public roadways. According to the League of Illinois Bicyclists, these IDOT maps are the best place for information about rural roadways.[8]

References

  1. ↑ Office of the Governor (April 21, 2004). "Office of the Governor Press Release". Press Release. Retrieved 2009-10-28.
  2. ↑ Bike the Drive. Retrieved 2009-10-31 .
  3. 1 2 Illinois Rules of the Road ,Illinois Rules of the Road, 2009.
  4. 1 2 3 League of Illinois Bicyclists Bike Law Card
  5. ↑ "Illinois Vehicle Code". Retrieved 2009-10-28.
  6. ↑ "LIB Vision, Mission, and Objectives". LIB Vision and Mission. Retrieved 2009-10-28.
  7. ↑ "Active Transportation Alliance Vision and Mission". Active Transportation Mission and Vision. Retrieved 2009-10-28.
  8. ↑ "Illinois Bicyclist Guide". Illinois Bicyclist Guide

External links

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