Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Doug Haynes on November 25, 2013 at 7:07am

You are not.

And even if you were it is not the safer choice so stop it.

Permalink Reply by Thunder Snow on November 25, 2013 at 7:24am

http://www.amlegal.com/nxt/gateway.dll/Illinois/chicago_il/municipa...

9-52-020  Riding bicycles on sidewalks and certain roadways.

   (a)   No person shall ride a bicycle upon a sidewalk within a business district, unless such sidewalk has been officially designated and marked as a bicycle route, or such sidewalk is used to enter the nearest roadway, intersection or designated bicycle path, or to access a bicycle share station.

   (b)   No person 12 or more years of age shall ride a bicycle upon any sidewalk in any district, unless such sidewalk has been officially designated and marked as a bicycle route, or such sidewalk is used to enter the nearest roadway, intersection or designated bicycle path, or to access a bicycle share station.

   (c)   Bicycles shall not be operated on Lake Shore Drive or on any roadway where the operation of bicycles has been prohibited and signs have been erected indicating such prohibition.

(Added Coun. J. 7-12-90, p. 18634; Amend Coun. J. 6-5-13, p. 54983, § 1)

9-52-021 Riding bicycles on sidewalks – Penalty.

9-52-021  Riding bicycles on sidewalks – Penalty.

   (a)   The penalty for any person age 18 and older who rides a bicycle on the sidewalk adjacent to North Sheridan Road, between West Ardmore Avenue and West Sheridan Road (6400 north) shall be as follows:

      (1)   the bicycle shall be temporarily disabled without permanent damage; and

      (2)   the violator shall be subject to a fine of $50.00.

   (b)   Following passage and approval, this section shall be in force and effect upon posting of signage notifying bicyclists of the penalty for violation of this section.

(Added Coun. J. 2-6-02, p. 79154, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 6-4-03, p. 2538, § 1)

This is definitive for Chicago.  The law you cited, 5/11-1512, was for Illinois, but the Chicago laws trump Illinois laws within city limits.  Other towns have differing rules.  In my little burg of Evanston, sidewalk riding is allowed for adults outside the business district.  Chicago's more strict about this.

Permalink Reply by Michelle S on November 25, 2013 at 7:37am

I just read this once again, and just realized that all the little kids living in the South Loop, Printer's Row, Lakeshore East, Streeterville etc and who ride their bikes on the sidewalk to the park are "breaking the law".

 

Thunder Snow said:

http://www.amlegal.com/nxt/gateway.dll/Illinois/chicago_il/municipa...

 

9-52-020  Riding bicycles on sidewalks and certain roadways.

   (a)   No person shall ride a bicycle upon a sidewalk within a business district, unless such sidewalk has been officially designated and marked as a bicycle route, or such sidewalk is used to enter the nearest roadway, intersection or designated bicycle path, or to access a bicycle share station.

 

Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on November 25, 2013 at 7:40am

Not if you're over 12 years old unless it's a location indicated by signage as a bike route. More here.

Permalink Reply by Thunder Snow on November 25, 2013 at 7:46am

Michelle, I think you are correct.  I expect the city wants some control over groups of 11-year-olds racing along Loop or North Michigan Avenue sidewalks.  Whether a police officer would enforce this or a judge would hear this is another matter.
 
Michelle Stenzel said:

I just read this once again, and just realized that all the little kids living in the South Loop, Printer's Row, Lakeshore East, Streeterville etc and who ride their bikes on the sidewalk to the park are "breaking the law".