Cyclists
The same laws that apply to motorists apply to cyclists
Obey all traffic control devices. Use hand signals to indicate stops and turns. Always wear a properly fitting helmet. Ride on the right. Always ride in the same direction as traffic. Use the farthest right lane that heads to your destination. Slower moving cyclists stay to the right. Ride predictably. Ride in a straight line. Don’t swerve in the road or between parked cars. Check for traffic before entering street or intersection. Anticipate hazards and adjust your position accordingly. Be visible. Wear brightly colored clothing that provides contrast. Use a white front light in low light conditions. Use a red rear light in low light conditions. Use a reflector or reflective tape or clothing anytime. Announce yourself by making eye contact with motorists.
Motorists
Drive cautiously. Reduce speed when encountering cyclists. Don’t tailgate, especially in bad weather. Recognize hazards cyclist may face and give them space. Bicycles are considered vehicles, and cyclists should be given the appropriate right of way. Allow extra time for cyclists to traverse intersections. Be considerate. Look for cyclists in traffic and at intersections. Don’t honk your horn when close to cyclists. Watch out for cyclists when opening car doors. Pass With care. When passing, leave four feet between you and cyclists. Wait for safe conditions before you pass. Check over your shoulder before moving back. Watch For children. Children on bicycles are often unpredictable. Expect the unexpected and slow down. Don’t expect children to know traffic laws. Because of their size, children can be harder to see.
(The following information was taken from a posting on the City of
The Warrenville Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) developed and received unanimous city council approval for a Bikeway Implementation Plan in December 2007. The plan is intended to provide guidance to the city council in creating new bicycle facilities and improving existing facilities.
In 2009, the council approved an engineering study to further define the goals of the plan. Another important goal identified by BPAC designation as a “Bicycle Friendly Community” through the acceptance of an application submitted in 2009 to the League of Illinois Bicyclists. All of these efforts continue to be refined in 2010.
While Warrenville is doing what it can to make the community bicycle-friendly and welcome cyclists to visit the city, recent public comments have demonstrated that some residents are frustrated with groups of cyclists. They have indicated that these groups take up entire lanes of traffic, block streets and keep stoplights from activating.
The city has expressed a desire for a balance between bicycle friendly and courtesy to motorists. Towards that end, letters were sent to local area bicycle clubs and retailers who host rides, asking them to remind their groups of the law and basic bicyclist etiquette.
Illinois Compiled Statutes (ILCS) 5/11-1505.1 requires that cyclists ride no more than two abreast, and that they do not impede the normal movement of vehicular traffic.
In addition, IL Law SB 80/P.A. 95-0234 provides that vehicles passing a bicyclist or pedestrians must stay at least three feet away from the bicyclist or pedestrian.
Local police have the ability to enforce these laws via issuing citations that would require either a court appearance or payment of a fine. However, the Warrenville police cannot be all places at all times.
As a motorist, cyclist or pedestrian, if you see anyone violating these laws, call 911 immediately. Enforcement is a cooperative effort - for the police to enforce the law, they must be made aware of a violation at the time it is committed.
