Safety Starts With You

Bike Safety

Ride smart, stay visible, and follow the rules of the road to keep yourself and others safe.

Bicycling is a great way to stay active and enjoy time with family. However, when a crash occurs between a motor vehicle and a bicycle, the cyclist is at a much higher risk of injury. Below, you’ll find important bicycle safety tips, Illinois rules of the road, and guidance on properly fitting a helmet. When both motorists and cyclists follow the rules and remain alert, many crashes and injuries can be prevented.

Bike Safety Tips

Wear a helmet.
Make sure bicycle is in good working order before riding. Check brakes, chain, and tire pressure.
Ride in safe areas like a bike path, bike lane, or sidewalk (if permitted). If riding on the road, ride right. Ride WITH the flow of traffic.
Ride One to a Bike — Ride one to a bike unless it is specifically designed to carry additional passengers or cargo. A bike is harder to balance with another person on it.
Follow the rules of the road when riding on the road. You must obey all traffic signals and signs.
Never wear headphones when bicycling. They block other sounds you need to hear.
Always carry identification with you in case of a crash
Don’t ride distracted. Keep your phone in your pocket.
If you ride in the street at night, be sure to have the proper equipment on your bike, i.e., headlight, tail light, and reflectors.

Why Wear a Helmet?

Wearing a helmet on a pedal bicycle or an e-bike is essential to preventing a severe traumatic brain injury. Helmets are the best defense for preventing serious head injuries, lifelong disabilities, and even death when riding a bike of any kind. While you might be an experienced rider, the people and cars around you are not necessarily paying attention, adding an extra layer of danger when you are on two wheels. A helmet is hard on the outside to absorb the impact of the crash and soft on the inside to protect your head.

For more information on keeping your brain safe while bicycling, visit the Brain Injury Institute of America.

How to Properly Fit a Helmet?

There are a couple, but important steps to making sure a helmet fits properly. See images below.

To download the printable version of the images, click here.

Illinois Bicycle Rules of the Road

For the comple Bicycle Rules of the Road, click here.

Parental Responsibility: Be a good "Roll" model

Parents and guardians should be aware of their responsibilities when their children ride bikes or walk near streets or highways. These responsibilities range from selecting the proper equipment for the child to wear to teaching the child all traffic laws. Since children perceive traffic situations differently than adults, it is important for parents or guardians to teach children the dangers of traffic. Set a good example by wearing a helmet and following the rules, too. With proper training, bicycling can be a safe, healthy, and fun activity for the whole family.

Electric Bicycles: Rules and Safety Tips

Illinois has implemented a three-class electric assist bicycle system (e-bikes). All e-bikes operating in Illinois must comply with equipment and manufacturing requirements adopted by the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission. You may operate an e-bike on any highway, street, or roadway authorized for use by bicycles including, but not limited to, bicycle lanes. You may operate an e-bike upon any bicycle path unless the municipality, county, or local authority with jurisdiction prohibits using e-bikes or a specific class of e-bike on the path. You may not operate an e-bike on sidewalks. The three classes of e-bikes in Illinois are as follows:

Class 1 e-bike – Low-speed electric bicycle equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling and ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches speeds of 20 mph.

Class 2 e-bike – Low-speed electric bicycle equipped with a motor that can be used exclusively to propel the bicycle and cannot provide assistance when the bicycle reaches speeds of 20 mph.

Class 3 e-bike – Low-speed electric bicycle equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling and ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches a speed of 28 mph.

No riding on sidewalks, riding on streets/bike lanes only, obeying all bicycle traffic laws, and a minimum age of 16 for Class 3 (28 mph) bikes.

In Illinois, there are no particular rules requiring helmets when riding an electric bike. Safety comes first, so it is still advisable to wear a helmet during riding to avoid potential injuries caused by falls.

Licensing, Registration, and Insurance
Ebike riders in Illinois do not need a driver’s license or registration for their Ebikes. Insurance is not required but recommended, particularly for Class 3 Ebikes due to their high speed and potential liability in case of an accident.

Labeling
Illinois requires Ebikes to have a visible label indicating the bike’s class (Class 1, 2, or 3), top-assisted speed, and motor wattage. This helps law enforcement and other riders understand the capabilities of each Ebike.

Key Safety Practices

Wear a Helmet: Crucial for protecting against head injuries, with helmets specifically for high-speed e-bikes (e.g., Dutch NTA 8776) recommended.

Be Visible: Use front white lights and rear red lights/reflectors, even during the day, and wear bright or reflective clothing.

Obey Traffic Laws: E-bikes are generally treated as vehicles; stop at red lights, obey stop signs, and ride with traffic.

Practice Riding: E-bikes are heavier and accelerate faster. Practice in a parking lot to get used to the power and braking distance.

Maintain Your Bike: Check tire pressure, brakes (ensure they are not “spongy”), and battery levels before every ride.

Respect Pedestrians: Yield to pedestrians and use a bell or voice to announce your approach – yell out “On your left!”

Ride One to a Bike: Ride one to a bike unless it is specifically designed to carry additional passengers or cargo. A bike is harder to balance with another person on it.

For information on how to properly charge your e-bike, visit our Lithium-Ion Battery Safety page.