Where Do Most Bicycle Accidents Happen in Illinois?

The biking population in Illinois is steadily growing. However, bicyclists face risks as road users because of the lack of protection and negligence from other motorists. Bike crashes can occur throughout the state, but where do most bicycle accidents happen in Illinois?

Bikers must pay special attention when they are using roads, bike lanes, and paths. Even if you are riding in a protected bike lane, there is no guarantee of your safety if there are road hazards, other cyclists, and pedestrians around. 

Even a small pothole can be enough to make you lose control of the bike and crash into a fixed object. A dangerous bicycle accident could cause serious injuries that affect your physical, emotional, and financial health.

At Chicago Bike Injury Lawyers, we have provided legal guidance for many survivors of bike accidents in Illinois. Our personal injury lawyers know what it takes to establish liability and pursue civil claims for fair compensation. If you have been injured in a bicycle accident due to someone else’s negligence, our attorneys will stand by your side throughout the claims process to protect your rights. 

Where Do Bike Crashes Typically Occur?

In general, a bicycle accident can happen anywhere. Determining the cause of a crash is a crucial step in the litigation process, but understanding the dangers of riding can prevent the need for an injury claim entirely. 

Let’s discuss a few locations where you should exercise additional caution to prevent bike accidents that could lead to severe injuries.

Busy Intersections

Intersections cause all types of motor vehicle accidents. When multiple lanes converge from different directions, there is significant potential for confusion and negligence. The most dangerous intersections for bikers are often in dense population centers where bike lanes and roadways meet. Motorists may only be on the lookout for cars and pedestrians, so a bicyclist could sneak up on them. 

If you are ever riding through or near a dangerous intersection, be extra cautious when following traffic signals and try to make eye contact with nearby drivers. 

Bike Lanes

Designated bike lanes are popping up all over Illinois to provide safer travel for cyclists. In these locations, a rider can use a protected bike lane to be somewhat isolated from the rest of the traffic. However, many drivers are not used to navigating around bike lanes or yielding the right of way to cyclists. Therefore, a bike lane could give a rider a false sense of security. 

Additionally, there may be other bike riders in the vicinity or pedestrians who pass by without realizing a bicyclist is approaching. For these reasons, you must still be careful when riding in a bike lane, as you are still vulnerable to a severe bicycle accident. 

Roads With Higher Speed Limits

Once you get outside of the city limits, speed limits tend to increase. As a result, drivers will be moving faster and have less time to react. If there are no bike lanes on these country roads, a bicyclist is forced to ride in the same lane as other motorists or on the side of the road. Remember to always ride with traffic rather than against it. 

On higher speed roads, the chances of a fatal bicycle accident are greater. If there are many curves, blind corners, and elevation changes, this can reduce visibility for drivers, making them more likely not to see a cyclist. Since there are no concrete barriers or other dividers to protect you from motor vehicles on these streets, proceed with extreme caution and wear bright clothing. 

Bicycle Crash Hotspots Throughout Illinois

Whether you are a recreational cyclist who enjoys the exercise or an everyday commuter, it is crucial to be careful when riding a bike in Illinois. Some locations throughout the state are more dangerous than others for bikers. 

Let’s look at a few notable hotspots around the state where bike accidents may be more likely to occur.

Kane County

Kane County is located west of Chicago. It contains a portion of several smaller municipalities, including Aurora and Elgin. Some dangerous intersections and areas in Kane County include Lawrence Avenue and South State Street, the bridges over Fox River at Stolp Island, the Red Oak Nature Center, and Route 30. 

DuPage County

DuPage County is located even closer to the heart of Chicago. Numerous towns have borders within this county, including Naperville and Wheaton. 

Multiple highways run through this region, making exit ramps and intersections along 355, 88, and 290 dangerous for cyclists due to heavy traffic. Route 53 and West North Avenue is one of the most dangerous intersections for bikers, as it is a major shopping and retail hub in the area. 

Will County

Will County is southwest of the center of Chicago. It is a very large county containing parts of Aurora, Bolingbrook, and Naperville in the north and Joliet in the west. The intersection of Routes 30 and 45 is especially concerning for bikers due to heavy traffic and the lack of bike lanes. Bike riders on paths along the Des Plaines River must be cautious around other cyclists and pedestrians. 

Kendall County

The southern-most portions of Aurora extend into Kendall County. This area also includes dense suburban streets in Oswego and Yorkville, which often lack bike lanes to keep riders away from other vehicles. Hudson Crossing Park is one of many parks in the county where bike accidents often involve pedestrians and cyclists. 

Winnebago County

Rockford is the most populous city in Illinois outside of Chicago, which means there are plenty of opportunities for devastating bicycle crashes. Rock Cut State Park is highly popular among bicycle riders, but if you are not careful, accidents happen on the windy trails often enough to be a concern. 

Many bicycle accidents also occur on busy intersections and streets in Rockford, especially along East State Street and North 2nd Street. 

Cook County

Most of the city of Chicago is within the borders of Cook County, which has some of the most dangerous intersections and areas in Illinois. Distracted drivers, confusing traffic lights, parked cars, poor visibility, and a lack of physical protection can all contribute to serious injuries for riders in the city. 

Cook County has numerous smaller municipalities within its boundaries, including Oak Park, Schaumburg, Skokie, and Cicero.

Some notable locations to be extra wary of cycling accidents include North Milwaukee Avenue, the Lincoln Park Zoo, Lakefront Trail, Millennium Park, the Six Corners near Portage Park (a major intersection of Irving Park, Milwaukee Avenue, and Cicero), and the University of Chicago. 

Sangamon County

In central Illinois, Sangamon County contains the city of Springfield. Near the city, locations like Washington Park and Rochester Community Park offer recreational cycling opportunities, but the pedestrian and cyclist crowd can get pretty dense at certain times of day. 

Dooring accidents are common along busy areas like South 9th Street and East Jefferson Street. The industrial zone near Moffat Avenue and North 19th Street can also be dangerous for cyclists, leading to potentially devastating injuries. 

Peoria County

The city of Peoria can offer a beautiful backdrop for a bike ride, especially along Peoria Lake and the Illinois River. However, you run the risk of getting hurt due to distracted driving in the city or potential hazards in construction zones. Grand View Park has been the site of multiple cyclists injured by vehicles on North Galena Road. 

Lake County

Lake County is located just north of the Chicago metropolitan area, and the largest city in this area is Waukegan. The views along Waukegan Municipal Beach and the lakeside trails could distract cyclists, potentially leading to bicycle damage and dangerous injuries. 

Grand Avenue, which runs east to west through the heart of the city, is an extremely busy road with many drivers who may not be on the lookout for cyclists. 

Champaign County

The city of Champaign is also located in central Illinois, featuring numerous highways that run through the area. These highways have multiple on/off-ramps that can be deadly for cyclists who are not paying attention or using high-speed roadways. Riding in Midtown and Campus Town can be dangerous if you are unfamiliar with the area or if you do not practice safe cycling. 

FAQs

Do protected bike lanes decrease the odds of accidents?

Bike lanes have become a popular strategy for curbing bicycle accidents across the United States. According to a People for Bikes report, multiple cities that have implemented protected bike lanes and biking-specific infrastructure have seen the benefits of the practice for improving safety and quality of life.

For example, Chicago bicycle accident statistics revealed that a new bike lane and traffic signals on Dearborn Street resulted in a rise in stoplight compliance among cyclists from 31% to 81%. In New York City, these specialized lanes reduced the number of injuries to pedestrians walking on the streets by 12-52%. A new bike lane on 9th Avenue in that city reduced cyclist injuries by 57%. 

Are there any bicycle safety initiatives in Illinois?

Several organizations are committed to making Illinois a safer place for cyclists, and by extension, pedestrians and motorists. Ride Illinois is an initiative focused on improving laws and infrastructure across the state to prevent bicycle accidents. Their efforts include lobbying the state congress, hosting awareness events, and educating the public on bicycle safety. 

The Active Transportation Alliance is a non-profit based in Chicago that prioritizes safety for cyclists, walkers, and public transit users. Their goal is to make the city safer and healthier by encouraging active modes of transportation, such as cycling. 

There have also been efforts to advocate for funding bike infrastructure projects and implementing more bicycle safety measures in the city, such as requiring government trucks to install more effective side mirrors. 

On Chicago’s government website, you can learn more about the efforts to provide more bikeways, trails, and bicycle safety tips for cyclists in the Windy City. 

What are the most important bike safety tips?

Bicycle safety is paramount if you are riding anywhere in Illinois, but especially near busy intersections, multi-use trails, and population hubs. Here are some practical tips that can help you prevent bicycle accidents or avoid serious personal injuries in the event of a crash:

• Wear a helmet to prevent severe head injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries
• Know basic bike hand signals to inform others of your intentions to turn, stop, change lanes, or slow down
• Wear protective clothing to prevent road rash and other similar injuries
• Wear reflective, bright clothing
• Understand the local ordinances that affect cyclists in your city
• Learn the rules of the road that apply to all Illinois cyclists

What legal options do families of fatally injured bike accident victims have in Illinois?

In the worst-case scenario, a terrible bike accident could lead to the death of a cyclist. Motor vehicles are much larger than a single person on a bike, so a collision with a car or truck could cause significant damage, such as fatal injuries or spinal cord injuries. 

If a loved one passes away after a bike accident, surviving family members, such as a spouse, can file a wrongful death lawsuit against the at-fault party. A civil claim can hold the negligent person accountable for your legal damages, resulting in a financial settlement. Although the compensation cannot heal physical or psychological wounds, it can secure your family’s financial future. 

A civil claim will require evidence to establish liability, which is the case for both wrongful death claims and personal injury lawsuits. Our Chicago bicycle accident attorneys will stand by your side throughout the claims process as you seek compensation. 

Consult a Chicago Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Cyclists face many dangers when they ride in the state of Illinois. Bike accidents happen all the time, and you could be dealing with expensive medical bills, lost wages, future medical expenses, emotional distress, and other losses because of your injuries. Even minor broken bones can cause enough damage to make a personal injury claim viable after you seek medical attention. 

At Chicago Bike Injury Lawyers, our attorneys believe in your case. We know what it takes to recover compensation from stubborn defendants and insurance companies. 

Our legal services include:

• Investigating the bike accident scene
• Protecting your rights under federal and state ordinances
• Assessing all bicycle accident damages to maximize compensation
• Gathering evidence, such as witness statements and police reports
• Consulting motor vehicle crash experts
• Interpreting strict laws related to American bicyclists
• Negotiating with insurance companies
• Holding large entities accountable for negligence, such as the Chicago Department of Transportation
• Litigating in civil court if a settlement cannot be reached
• Working on a contingency fee basis (you owe nothing unless we win)

Our Chicago bike crash law firm offers a free consultation so you can ask questions about the legal process first. Act quickly and contact us today at 312-646-3708 to schedule a free consultation with our expert personal injury attorneys.