Illinois Bicycle Laws

Required under age

No statewide age requirement

Applies to passengers

—

Standard

—

Penalty

No statewide bicycle helmet law. Some municipalities require helmets for minors - check local ordinances.

Statute

—

See our find your helmet size and kids bike sizing guide.

Statewide rule

Defers to local rules

Notes

The Illinois Vehicle Code (625 ILCS 5/) does not address bicycles on sidewalks; local jurisdictions decide. Chicago Municipal Code § 9-52-020(b) prohibits any person aged 12 or older from riding a bicycle on a sidewalk anywhere in the city unless the sidewalk is designated as a bike route, with fines from $50 to $200. Evanston, Oak Park, and most suburban Cook County villages have similar age-based or business-district restrictions; downstate cities vary widely.

Statute

—

See our commuter bike sizing guide and bike fitting guide.

Applies to bicycles

No

Separate cycling DUI statute

No

BAC limit

—

Penalty

The Illinois DUI statute (625 ILCS 5/11-501) applies to operators of a 'vehicle,' but the Vehicle Code definition (625 ILCS 5/1-217) explicitly excludes 'devices moved by human power,' which leaves bicycles outside the statute. The Illinois Supreme Court has confirmed that DUI does not apply to bicycles. Riders may still face public-intoxication or reckless-conduct charges.

Statute

¹²

— Not yet researched.

Front light required

Yes

Front spec

Lamp on the front emitting a white light visible from at least 500 feet to the front.

Rear requirement

Rear reflector or light

Rear spec

Red rear reflector of an IDOT-approved type visible from 100 to 600 feet when directly in front of low-beam headlamps. A red rear lamp visible from 500 feet may be used in addition to - or, under the 2017 amendment, in lieu of - the reflector.

Side reflectors

No

Pedal reflectors

No

When required

Darkness

Statute

¹

See our bike lights that meet the law and winter and low-light cycling setup.

— Not yet researched.

Two abreast allowed

Yes

Conditions

May not ride more than two abreast except on paths or parts of roadways set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles. UVC §11-1205 derivative.

Statute

¹

Rule

One ear only

Statute

¹

— Not yet researched.

Bicycle registration required

No

Operator license required

No

Interstates

Prohibited

Notes

Bicycles are prohibited on all Interstate highways in Illinois under IDOT policy (625 ILCS 5/11-1426.1 authorises the Department to prohibit pedestrians, bicycles, and other slow-moving traffic on any controlled-access highway). Conventional US routes and state highways are open by default; the Illinois Bicycle Rules of the Road manual lists the signed exceptions.