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Every person on a motorcycle—including passengers—should know and understand the laws that apply to them. Chicago motorcycle traffic laws include laws pertaining to licensing, equipment, and safety. While some of these laws are straightforward, others can be complicated. Complying with them not only helps people avoid legal repercussions but can also help keep people safe in the event of an accident.
In addition to helping people avoid physical and criminal repercussions, following the motorcycle traffic laws can help people avoid liability in a motorcycle crash. Bikers are particularly vulnerable in accidents. Unlike other motor vehicle operators, bikers have no steel frames, airbags, or bumpers between them and the road. Observing the law not only reduces the chances of an accident but also helps ensure that a defendant will be financially responsible for your injuries.
In Illinois, motorcycle riders need a specific license, known as a Class M license. Class M licenses apply to vehicles typically described as motorcycles, which are two-wheeled vehicles with engines with more than 150cc displacement. For smaller motorcycle-like vehicles, often known as scooters, with a displacement of 50cc to 150cc, operators need a Class L license. If a rider is not sure what size vehicle they will have, they should opt for a Class M license. Class M license holders can legally operate Class L vehicles, but Class L license holders cannot legally operate Class M vehicles.
There is a third type of vehicle, which many people may think of when they think of motorcycles—the moped. Generally, mopeds have engines with less than 50cc displacement, lower top speeds—generally below 30 miles per hour, and a much smaller size than motorcycles. People do not need a license to operate mopeds, but they may not be street-legal on many of Chicago’s streets. Traffic laws and local rules can help riders determine where it is legal to operate these vehicles.
There are only three states in the country that do not have a motorcycle helmet mandate for bikers, and Illinois is one of them. It is not a criminal or civil violation to ride on or operate a motorcycle without a helmet.
It is, however, a bad idea for anyone to ride on a motorcycle without a helmet. The risk of head injuries—including fatal injuries—is exceptionally high for bikers without helmets if they get into an accident. Even minor accidents can lead to the bike turning on its side, dramatically increasing the risk of the head contacting the ground.
While wearing a motorcycle is not evidence of negligence in terms of causing an accident, it could be evidence of comparative negligence when it comes to determining fault for an injury. The other party will almost certainly argue that a victim’s failure to wear a helmet made their head injuries worse. Remember, a biker does not have to violate Chicago’s motorcycle laws to contribute to negligence in an accident.
While bikers do not have to wear a helmet, they do need some required safety equipment. One thing is protective eyewear or a functional windshield. The bike needs to have working brakes, working headlights and tail lights, flashers, a side-view mirror, an unmodified muffler, a horn, and a license plate light. The motorcycle does not need a specific configuration, but the handlebars cannot be higher than the biker’s shoulder height.
While not equipment, bikers also need to carry insurance. They must have liability insurance and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. While minimum requirements will meet the demands of Chicago laws, motorcycle operators should consider higher limits to protect themselves in the event of an accident.
Chicago and the surrounding area offer some picturesque stretches for bikers. They also offer some of the most challenging traffic scenarios in the United States. Understanding Chicago motorcycle traffic laws and general motorcycle safety guidelines can go a long way to protecting bikers and other motorists. Please call our seasoned personal injury lawyers if you experience a crash and are unsure how the traffic laws will affect your claim.