Bicycle Accident Statistics Chicago

In 2023, Chicago recorded 1,410 bicycle crashes, leaving 7 cyclists dead and 1,270 injured. These bike accident statistics reflect an ongoing danger on city streets despite more bike lanes and greater safety awareness. If you were injured in one of these crashes, our Chicago bicycle accident lawyers can help you understand your rights and pursue fair compensation. Contact us for a free consultation.

An attorney discusses bike accident statistics in Chicago and how they impact legal claims.

Risk of Bicycle Accidents

According to Chicago Municipal Code §9-52-010, bicyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as other road users. Despite increasing bike lane connections and greater awareness of bicycle safety, negligent drivers frequently hit and injure cyclists on Illinois roads. If you have been injured, our bicycle accident lawyers can help you pursue the compensation you deserve.

Sources of Chicago Bicycle Accident Data

Our attorneys have gathered these bike accident statistics from reliable and official sources, including resources that help explain the types of damages you can recover after a bicycle accident.

Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT)
Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT)
Chicago Police Department
Active Transportation Alliance
Bike Lane Uprising
People Powered Movement
Streetsblog Chicago, a transportation news outlet
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)

Overall Chicago Bicycle Accident Statistics

There were 1,410 Chicago bicycle crashes reported to IDOT in 2023.
1,270 crashes resulted in injury, and there were seven bicyclist fatalities.
July, August, and September are the most dangerous months for cyclists in Chicago.
Cycling has gotten more dangerous in the last 5 years. In 2019, there were 1,946 injured bicyclists, while in 2024, there were 2,349. This is despite improvements like protected bike lanes and better cycling advocacy.
2023 was the deadliest on record, with seven fatalities.
70% of all Illinois collisions between cyclists and cars occur in Chicago.

Types of Bicycle Accidents in Chicago

Chicago, like other big cities, is more likely to have cyclist accidents. The NHTSA found that 85% of all crashes nationwide occurred in urban areas rather than rural areas.

Bike accident statistics from IDOT note that in 2021, 62% of injured cyclists were hit by a passenger car, and 14.7% were hit by an SUV.

NHTSA reports that in 2021, 30% of all accidents occurred at intersections. About 20% of crashes are due to dooring, or when a driver opens their door in a cyclist’s path.

Contributing Factors in Chicago Bicycle Accidents

According to People Powered Movement, 90% of Chicago bicycle crashes are due to driver negligence. These factors include:

Failing to yield to bikers at intersections
Making unsafe turns in front of cyclists at stop signs or traffic signals
Hitting oncoming cyclists by failing to maintain a lane
Hitting riders in the bike lane
Opening a car door into a cyclist’s path

However, bike riders also cause traffic accidents. 2023 Illinois Department of Transportation statistics demonstrate how many crashes are due to cyclist negligence. This includes 56 cases of riding against the flow of traffic.

In 2021, the average age of injured bikers was 14, showing that young teens need greater bicycle safety lessons.

A Chicago law firm analyzes bicycle accident data and safety trends.

Locations with High Bicycle Accident Rates in Chicago

Chicago is not known for its bike-friendliness despite significant investments. According to People for Bikes, it is one of the worst major cities to bike in. Some of the most dangerous intersections include:

Stony Island & South Chicago
North, Damen, and Milwaukee
Irving Park, Cicero, and Milwaukee
Lincoln & Clark
S. Cottage Grove & E. 79th Street
E. 79th & Stony Island

Injuries Sustained in Chicago Bicycle Accidents

Bicycle crashes can lead to very severe injuries, including:

You must always wear a helmet when you ride. Policies that require helmet use have reduced bicycle fatalities by 20-55%, demonstrating that this essential gear can save your life.

The Importance of Reporting Bicycle Accidents

§625 ILCS 5/11-408 requires that all car accidents resulting in significant property damage or injuries be reported to the police within ten days. Even if your accident did not involve a motor vehicle, you should still report it. This makes it easier to make an insurance claim, and it also improves data accuracy and bicycle safety efforts in the city of Chicago. Reporting the incident promptly is also an important step toward understanding your insurance options after an accident.

Why You Need a Bicycle Accident Attorney

Working with an experienced bicycle accident attorney improves your chance of receiving compensation, as attorneys can negotiate with the insurance company to ensure that you receive a fair bike accident settlement.

Our law firm will thoroughly investigate your accident to determine the cause and potential liability. This includes reviewing surveillance footage, analyzing police reports, and interviewing witnesses to learn more about the crash. We can also explain how auto insurance applies to bicycle accidents when a motor vehicle is involved.

We can assess your injuries to determine how much they may be worth and consult with medical professionals to identify your future treatment needs. This ensures that your settlement will cover all your medical expenses and lost wages so that you can recuperate in comfort. An experienced Chicago bicycle accident attorney can also help ensure that no recoverable damages are overlooked during your claim.

Our attorneys are skilled at negotiating with insurance companies. We can file the correct paperwork, provide evidence to support our demands and use prior case law to determine the value of your case. You can also learn how settlements are calculated in Illinois to better understand the factors that influence compensation.

If the insurance company refuses to settle for a fair sum, we can file a lawsuit to fight for more. This can result in significantly higher verdicts, though the process will take longer. For example, Ferry v. Enterprise Leasing Company resulted in a $1.2 million jury verdict when a college student was hit by a car operated by an Enterprise employee. Reviewing fatal bicycle accident statistics in Illinois also highlights why pursuing fair compensation is so important after a serious crash.

Talk to a Chicago Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Our Illinois bike crash lawyers fight hard for injured bikers, using all our resources to get what they deserve. To schedule a free consultation with our skilled bicycle accident lawyers, call us or use our online contact form. You can also review dooring accident statistics in Chicago to better understand one of the most common causes of cyclist injuries in the city.

FAQs

How many bicycle accidents happen in Chicago each year?

According to the Illinois Department of Transportation, Chicago recorded 1,410 bicycle crashes in 2023. Of those, 1,270 resulted in injuries and 7 were fatal. That works out to nearly four bike crashes per day in the city, and 2023 was the deadliest year on record.

What are the most dangerous months for cyclists in Chicago?

July, August, and September consistently see the highest number of bicycle crashes. More riders on the road during warm weather correlates with more collisions, particularly at high-traffic intersections in neighborhoods like Logan Square, Wicker Park, and the Loop.

What causes most bicycle accidents in Chicago?

According to People Powered Movement data, around 90% of Chicago bicycle crashes involve driver negligence, most commonly failure to yield at intersections, unsafe turns across bike lanes, and dooring. Roughly 20% of all Chicago bike crashes are dooring incidents, where a driver opens a car door into a cyclist’s path.

Content reviewed by Chicago bicycle accident lawyer Jonathan Rosenfeld of Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers LLC, who holds negligent drivers, municipalities, and corporate defendants accountable to protect injured cyclists and their families, and is a trial lawyer recognized by National Trial Lawyers, Best Attorneys of America, and the National Association of Personal Injury Attorneys for high-severity injury claims.

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