RULES TO BIKE BY

Highlights from Chicagos Municipal Code that will keep you ticket-free
[9-52-010] RIGHTS AND DUTIES

+Basically, all cyclists should follow the same rules of the road as drivers. If not, you could be
fined between $50 and $200.00 dollars.

[9-52-020] RIDING BICYCLES ON SIDEWALKS AND CERTAIN ROADWAYS

+No riding on the sidewalk unless its a marked bike lane.

+But if youre under 12 years old, you can ride on any sidewalk you want to.
+Dont bike on Lake Shore Drive in particular. That would be very dumb.

[9-52-020] RIDING ON NORTH SHERIDAN ROAD SIDEWALK PROHIBITED

+We really meant everything we said in the above section.

+But many Edgewater citizens complained about cyclists behavior on North Sheridan Road,
so heres a special section about it.

[9-52-030] SPEED OF BICYCLES

+Chill with your Lance Armstrong racing speed. We live in a huge city, and biking too fast
and recklessly can hurt people. Yes, this is a ticketable offense.

[9-52-040] YIELDING RIGHT-OF-WAY

+Cyclists must yield to all pedestrians and vehicles in almost every situation
+Keep to the right side of the road, except when:

-youre passing another cyclist or vehicle,

-turning left,

-or trying to avoid something dangerous (ex: crater-sized potholes, bunnies, tourists)
+Except actually, you can bike on the left side of the road. But only if its a one-way street that
has two or more lanes.

[9-52-045] BICYCLE OPERATORS SIGNALS - HAND AND ARM - MANNER

+When turning left, do this: +When turning right, do this:

+When stopping, do this:

[9-52-045] RIDING IN SINGLE FILE REQUIRED - EXCEPTIONS

+Youre supposed to ride single file, but if youre not bothering anyone or holding up traffic,
you can ride next to a pal if you both stay in the bike lane. #bikebffs

[9-52-060] CARRYING ARTICLES ON BICYCLES

+Dont load up your bike with so much stuff that you cant place your hands on the handlebars. If you can ride with one hand, thats fine.

[9-52-070] PARKING

+Dont park your bike in a place thats in the way of everyone and everything.

[9-52-071] ABANDONED BICYCLES

+If you leave your bike in a public space for over a week, its considered abandoned.
+If your bike is a total wreck and appears inoperable, its also considered abandoned.
+The City may leave a note on your bike indicating its abandonment. If you dont call the
City within a week of that notice to state otherwise, it can be removed and disposed of.
+Also, its illegal to abandon your bike in the first place.

[9-52-080] HEADLAMPS, REFLECTORS AND BRAKES

+You have to have a front light and it has to be white.

+You have to have a rear reflector and it has to be red.
+You have to have breaks and they have to work.

[9-52-090] RIDING REGULATIONS

+Have a standard bike seat.

+One bike per person. Unless you have a tandem. Then its two bikes per person. Kind of?

[9-52-100] PARENTS OR LEGAL GUARDIANS RESPONSIBILITY

+If you have kids, you cant tell them its okay to break any of the bike laws, missy.

[9-52-110] USE OF COMMUNICATION DEVICES WHILE OPERATING A BICYCLE

+Dont read or send e-mails, texts, or instant messages.

+Dont talk or even listen to anyone on the phone.
+Dont use the internet in general.
+The last three rules dont apply if:

- youre using a hands-free device or voice-activation,

-its an emergency,

-youre not actually moving,

-youre an on-duty police officer or emergency responder.