Sunday, October 22, 2006
Selected Illinois Bicycle Rules of the Road
So I am cleaning out my email box and came across these notes I sent with my attorney after my bicycle related injury last year. Some lessons learned from the experience:
- Cyclists are second class citizens; a discriminated minority when it comes to the roadways and the court system.
- Being rendered unconscious when getting hit by speeding SUV is not good when providing your account for legal purposes.
- In the eyes of the court, or at least in the eyes of at least one Illinois judge, the "accounts" of half a dozen 16 year olds outweigh. Especially when the judge choses to define the service alley behind a store as a highway.
- Having a GPS trackpoint record becomes your "blackbox flight recorder" to prove your actions in spite of the testimony of the accused. However, from a legal point of view it is a questionable proposition. Thus, it only goes to reassure yourself that you were in the right.
Illinois Bicycle Rules of the Road
on 8-20-2006 Printed by authority of the State of Illinois, March 2003 — 500M —05/0201/721 DSD A-143.3
BICYCLE SAFETY TIPS - page 3
Ride as close to the right edge of the road as practical. It is safer. Always ride in the same direction as the other traffic. Certain conditions allow a bicyclist to move farther to the left, such as broken glass, drain grates, parked cars, left turns and passing.
TRAFFIC LANGUAGE - page 6
Left Turn — When making a left turn, bicyclists have two choices. The first is to make the turn as a car would. When a left-hand lane exists, the bicyclist should occupy the right-hand side of that lane and then, after entering the intersection, look in all directions and make the turn when
safe. The second choice is to stay as close as practical 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 must wait out of the way of traffic. After obeying any official
traffic control device, the bicyclist may complete the turn in the new direction.
Right-of-Way Laws - page 6
Unmarked Intersections — At an unmarked intersection or crossing where there are no traffic signs or signals, the driver or bicycle rider on the left must yield to those on the right. When you drive out of an alley or driveway, you must stop and yield the right-of-way to pedestrians and
vehicles before you cross the sidewalk or enter the street.
Illinois Rules of the Road
Printed by authority of the State of Illinois. FY06 – Req. 0510201701 – 1,000M – English Edition – October 2005 – DSD A112.12
Speed Limits - page 23
A driver must take care to slow down when approaching and crossing an intersection. Care also must be taken when going around a curve, approaching the top of a hill or traveling on a narrow and winding roadway. Drivers must be aware that there may always be dangers present due to pedestrians, traffic, weather, mechanical problems or road conditions.
Legal Speed Limits - page 24
Alleys 15 mph
Right-of-Way - page 24
RIGHTTURNS
In urban areas, drivers must come to a complete stop before entering the sidewalk
area when moving out of an alley, building, private road or driveway. If there is
no sidewalk, stop at a point nearest the street or roadway where there is a view of
approaching traffic. After stopping, yield the right-of-way to pedestrians and all
vehicles.
Bicyclists - page 72-73
Bicyclists should travel just to the right of faster moving traffic. However, certain hazards, such as rough surfaces, debris, drainage grates or a narrow traffic lane, may require bike riders to move toward the center of the lane. If a motorist is turning right and a bicyclist is approaching on the right, let the bicyclist go through the intersection first before making a right turn.
Remember to always signal your turns.
Aggressive Driving - page 78
Aggressive driving is the operation of a motor vehicle in a manner that endangers or is likely to endanger persons or property. Persons doing any of the following may be committing acts of aggressive driving.
DEFENSIVE DRIVING: Plan ahead for the unexpected. Always be prepared to react to the other driver. Do not expect the other driver to do what you think he or she should do. Do not think you know what he or she is going to do. If you cannot avoid a crash, remain calm and try to choose the least dangerous situation. For example, running into a ditch is less dangerous than a head-on collision. Also, your chances of survival are greater if your vehicle is in good mechanical condition.
Vehicle Speed - page 80
MINIMUM AND MAXIMUM SPEEDS: Driving too fast or too slowly may create a dangerous situation. Regardless of the posted speed limit, weather and traffic conditions may make it necessary to drive more slowly. However, driving too slowly also can be dangerous. Your speed should be adjusted for the conditions and match the flow of traffic, as long as it does not surpass the maximum posted speed.
CURVES: Slow down before entering the curve. Do not brake suddenly as this may cause skidding or locked wheels. Never drive over the center line. ( page 84)
on 8-20-2006 Printed by authority of the State of Illinois, March 2003 — 500M —05/0201/721 DSD A-143.3
BICYCLE SAFETY TIPS - page 3
Ride as close to the right edge of the road as practical. It is safer. Always ride in the same direction as the other traffic. Certain conditions allow a bicyclist to move farther to the left, such as broken glass, drain grates, parked cars, left turns and passing.
TRAFFIC LANGUAGE - page 6
Left Turn — When making a left turn, bicyclists have two choices. The first is to make the turn as a car would. When a left-hand lane exists, the bicyclist should occupy the right-hand side of that lane and then, after entering the intersection, look in all directions and make the turn when
safe. The second choice is to stay as close as practical 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 must wait out of the way of traffic. After obeying any official
traffic control device, the bicyclist may complete the turn in the new direction.
Right-of-Way Laws - page 6
Unmarked Intersections — At an unmarked intersection or crossing where there are no traffic signs or signals, the driver or bicycle rider on the left must yield to those on the right. When you drive out of an alley or driveway, you must stop and yield the right-of-way to pedestrians and
vehicles before you cross the sidewalk or enter the street.
Illinois Rules of the Road
Printed by authority of the State of Illinois. FY06 – Req. 0510201701 – 1,000M – English Edition – October 2005 – DSD A112.12
Speed Limits - page 23
A driver must take care to slow down when approaching and crossing an intersection. Care also must be taken when going around a curve, approaching the top of a hill or traveling on a narrow and winding roadway. Drivers must be aware that there may always be dangers present due to pedestrians, traffic, weather, mechanical problems or road conditions.
Legal Speed Limits - page 24
Alleys 15 mph
Right-of-Way - page 24
- when two vehicles on different roadways reach an uncontrolled intersection at the same time. The vehicle on the left should yield to the vehicle on the right.
- when emerging from an alley, building, private road or driveway after coming
to a complete stop.
RIGHTTURNS
- Give a right-turn signal from the proper turning lane.
- Obey traffic signs and signals.
- Yield the right-of-way to pedestrians and vehicles in the intersection.
- Check traffic approaching from the left.
- Follow the general curve of the curb as you make the right turn. Stay as close as possible to the curb.
- Turn into the right-hand lane of the roadway you are entering.
- Be aware that trucks and buses may need more space to make a right-hand turn.
- Give a left turn signal from the proper turning lane.
- Obey traffic signs and signals.
- Yield the right-of-way to pedestrians and vehicles in the intersection.
- Check all approaching traffic.
- Point the wheels straight ahead until you actually start to turn.
- Complete the turn into the lane closest to you going in your intended direction.
In urban areas, drivers must come to a complete stop before entering the sidewalk
area when moving out of an alley, building, private road or driveway. If there is
no sidewalk, stop at a point nearest the street or roadway where there is a view of
approaching traffic. After stopping, yield the right-of-way to pedestrians and all
vehicles.
Bicyclists - page 72-73
Bicyclists should travel just to the right of faster moving traffic. However, certain hazards, such as rough surfaces, debris, drainage grates or a narrow traffic lane, may require bike riders to move toward the center of the lane. If a motorist is turning right and a bicyclist is approaching on the right, let the bicyclist go through the intersection first before making a right turn.
Remember to always signal your turns.
Aggressive Driving - page 78
Aggressive driving is the operation of a motor vehicle in a manner that endangers or is likely to endanger persons or property. Persons doing any of the following may be committing acts of aggressive driving.
- Speeding
DEFENSIVE DRIVING: Plan ahead for the unexpected. Always be prepared to react to the other driver. Do not expect the other driver to do what you think he or she should do. Do not think you know what he or she is going to do. If you cannot avoid a crash, remain calm and try to choose the least dangerous situation. For example, running into a ditch is less dangerous than a head-on collision. Also, your chances of survival are greater if your vehicle is in good mechanical condition.
Vehicle Speed - page 80
MINIMUM AND MAXIMUM SPEEDS: Driving too fast or too slowly may create a dangerous situation. Regardless of the posted speed limit, weather and traffic conditions may make it necessary to drive more slowly. However, driving too slowly also can be dangerous. Your speed should be adjusted for the conditions and match the flow of traffic, as long as it does not surpass the maximum posted speed.
CURVES: Slow down before entering the curve. Do not brake suddenly as this may cause skidding or locked wheels. Never drive over the center line. ( page 84)
# posted by xltd @ 10/22/2006 10:57:00 AM 
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