Is biking on the left side of one way streets legal?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Brendan Kevenides on September 11, 2013 at 9:09am

Yep, you're good.

Permalink Reply by Skip Montanaro 0mi on September 11, 2013 at 9:10am

As far as I know, yes. I turn left (west) on Randolph from southbound Clark, go two blocks, then turn left on Wells. I move to the left as soon as I can on Randolph.

Permalink Reply by Adam Herstein on September 11, 2013 at 9:19am

The lawyer said yes. This thread should probably be closed. :-)

Brendan Kevenides said:

Yep, you're good.

Permalink Reply by BruceBikes on September 11, 2013 at 9:44am

The Illinois Vehicle Code says this about riding on the left side of a one way street:

Any person operating a bicycle or motorized pedal cycle upon a one-way highway with two or more marked traffic lanes may ride as near the left-hand curb or edge of such roadway as practicable.

The Municipal Code of Chicago makes no mention of riding on the left.

Permalink Reply by Eli on September 11, 2013 at 10:51am

What is the purpose of restricting this to streets "with two or more marked traffic lanes?"

Permalink Reply by JimmyD on September 11, 2013 at 12:37pm

My guess is if it's a one way street with only one lane, it might get too crowded if there are cyclists potentially riding on BOTH sides of the street while cars are in the middle. In that respect, it would make sense that on a one lane, one way street, cyclists stay on one side of the street (the right side presumably).

...again, that's just my own interpretation of why they restrict the rule to streets "with two or more marked traffic lanes".

Eli said:

What is the purpose of restricting this to streets "with two or more marked traffic lanes?"

Permalink Reply by JimmyD on September 11, 2013 at 12:38pm

:-) Agreed... thanks for the replies all!

Adam Herstein (5.5 mi) said:

The lawyer said yes. This thread should probably be closed. :-)

Brendan Kevenides said:

Yep, you're good.