Illinois Bicycle Cargo Trailer Laws question

This past summer, I was pulling my Burley flatbed cargo trailer along a two-lane, 40mph county road (It's the only road the leads to my neighborhood) and a policeman in my town asked me to get off the road, suggesting I ride on the path alongside the road (a path which ended in another 100 or so yards - in the direction I was going). 

About the path: It is paved, but in dis-repair — eroded in spots, and generally a very uneven surface. When pulling my trailer on the weekends (when the road is less busy) I far prefer the road, as long as I can ride at 13+ mph (my guideline).

As far as I know, I was fully within my rights pulling a cargo trailer on a county road ... but as I think about it, I really do not know.

Is anyone aware of the Illinois law around bike cargo trailers?

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Permalink Reply by Mike Schwab on October 27, 2014 at 10:57am

Absolutely nothing in Illinois Law about bicycle trailers.  So the only restriction is not on limited access roads with a minimum speed limit.

Permalink Reply by Brendan Kevenides on October 28, 2014 at 3:18am

Assuming you were riding along the right side of the roadway, then you were completely within your rights.  Illinois' vehicle code does not require cyclists to ride on a path along side a road.  However, some municipalities may have ordinances which require mandatory use of a side path.  It which town was this?

Permalink Reply by Marcusn on October 28, 2014 at 3:30am

Lake Bluff (incorporated area). Still, I know this section of Green Bay Road I was on is managed by IDOT. Yes, I was along the right side of the road, and cars could easily have passed me.

Permalink Reply by Brendan Kevenides on October 28, 2014 at 3:41am

Lake Bluff has no such ordinance:  http://sterlingcodifiers.com/codebook/index.php?book_id=805&sec...

Sounds like you were within your rights.  The officer was wrong, but, you know, out in the world you should do what the police ask you to do.  Had the cop given you a ticket, however, you would have been correct to fight it.

Marcusn said:

Lake Bluff (incorporated area). Still, I know this section of Green Bay Road I was on is managed by IDOT. Yes, I was along the right side of the road, and cars could easily have passed me.

Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on October 28, 2014 at 3:54am

One infamous restriction in Lake Bluff is along Sheridan Road, where bikes are required to use the McClory Trail (adjacent sidepath). 

The only North Shore restrictions I'm aware of are the section of Sheridan Road I mentioned above and the Ravines section of Sheridan in Highland Park.  In both locations, there is signage prohibiting bikes on the road.  I'm not aware of any such restriction on Green Bay Road.

Permalink Reply by Dean Bekken on October 30, 2014 at 11:40am

And miss half a day's work! (r more). I would ask Porky to produce a copy of his town's ordinance that specifies this deviation from state law. Keep on truckin'!

Tom A.K. said:

Marcusn, continue to ride your trailer on the road, and when and if you encounter this situation again, explain to the officer why you do not prefer to ride on the path. State to him that you believe that you are within your rights to ride with your trailer on the road. If the officer chooses to give you a citation it will be your chance to settle this situation and have your rights as a cyclist honored.
Permalink Reply by kevin womac on October 31, 2014 at 6:21am

A customer of mine was just given a ticket for NOT riding in the bike lane on California, adjacent to Humboldt Park. He's young and Latino. I'm sure the police were trying to intimidate him. Buggers

Permalink Reply by Julie Aberman (Hochstadter) on November 1, 2014 at 6:03am

I wonder what he cited him on (or pretended to cite him on).  I didn't think it was illegal to ride in the street even if there is a bike lane in the city.

kevin womac said:

A customer of mine was just given a ticket for NOT riding in the bike lane on California, adjacent to Humboldt Park. He's young and Latino. I'm sure the police were trying to intimidate him. Buggers

Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on November 1, 2014 at 6:58am

It's only illegal if there's signage prohibiting bikes (as on a highway).

Permalink Reply by Alex Z on November 3, 2014 at 3:30am

Is AFRAP codified in any state or local law?
 
Julie Hochstadter said:

I wonder what he cited him on (or pretended to cite him on).  I didn't think it was illegal to ride in the street even if there is a bike lane in the city.

kevin womac said:

A customer of mine was just given a ticket for NOT riding in the bike lane on California, adjacent to Humboldt Park. He's young and Latino. I'm sure the police were trying to intimidate him. Buggers

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