In accordance with Chicago’s Bike 2015 Plan, a city ordinance seeks to increase fines for traffic violations that endanger bicyclists, clarify instances where bicyclists have the right-of-way, and align Chicago’s traffic rules with state traffic laws. 

The 2008 Bicycle Safety Ordinance seeks to improve bicycling in Chicago by:

• Requiring a minimum of three feet clearance while passing bicyclists.
• Prohibiting a motorist from opening a vehicle door into moving traffic, which reduces the threat of “dooring.”
• Raising the fines for vehicles parked in bike lanes or marked shared lanes, in recognition that blocking these lanes forces bicyclists to merge into faster vehicular traffic.
• Requiring motorists to yield to oncoming bicyclists when turning left, which prevents a “left hook” crash.
• Prohibiting motorists from turning right in front of a bicyclist, similar to the prohibition against turning right in front of a bus. This would prevent a “right hook” crash.
• Requiring motorists to exercise due care for bicyclists in addition to pedestrians.

Violation of any one of the above rules would result in a minimum fine of $150.  When a violation leads to a bicycle crash, the minimum fine will be $500.  By clarifying these rules and fines, the ordinance makes it easier for police to issue tickets and for prosecutors to bring charges when bicyclists are struck by motorists.

The Bicycle Safety Ordinance is sponsored by Mayor Richard M. Daley and the Chicago Department of Transportation.

Learn about the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation’s legislative agenda at www.biketraffic.org/legislation