Illinois · Handbook chapter 5 · 4 min read

Chapter 5: Sharing the road

Sharing Illinois roads with pedestrians, children, motorcycles, bicycles and e-bikes, scooters and mopeds, trucks, disabled vehicles, low-speed and slow-moving vehicles, snowmobiles and horseback riders.

Why this chapter matters

A car protects its driver; a pedestrian, rider or cyclist has almost nothing. The Rules of the Road spends a whole chapter on the people and vehicles you share the road with, and the exam expects you to know the distances and right-of-way rules.

Pedestrians and children

• A pedestrian includes anyone on foot, on in-line skates or on a skateboard, and anyone with a disability.
• Pedestrians crossing outside a crosswalk must yield to drivers, and where there is no sidewalk they should walk on the shoulder facing traffic. Drivers must still be ready to yield.
• A person using a guide dog, white cane or wheelchair always has the right of way.
• Watch for children near schools, bus stops, parks and playgrounds, and take extra care backing out of driveways.

Motorcycles

• Failing to see a motorcycle is the most common cause of motorcycle crashes. More than 50 percent happen at intersections, usually when a car turns left in front of the bike.
• A motorcycle is entitled to the whole lane. Never share the lane with one.
• Follow at least three to four seconds behind a motorcycle. Motorcycles can stop more quickly than cars in dry conditions.
• When a motorcycle passes you, keep your lane position and speed.
• When a red light stays red for 120 seconds, a motorcyclist may go through once oncoming traffic has been given the right of way.

Bicycles

• Bicyclists, including riders of e-bikes up to 20 mph, have the same rights as drivers, including the right of way.
• Do not drive, park, idle or pick up passengers in a bike lane, even if it is empty.
• Pass a bicyclist slowly with at least 3 feet between the bike and your side mirror. If you cannot, wait.
• Turning left with a cyclist coming from the other way, let the cyclist pass first. Turning right with a cyclist coming up on your right, let the cyclist go through first.
• Do not use high beams toward an oncoming cyclist. Check for bikes before opening your door.
• Cyclists may ride two abreast if they do not block traffic, never more than two except on bike paths.
• Low-speed e-bikes have a motor under 750 watts. Class 3 e-bikes assist up to 28 mph and riders must be at least 16. E-bikes may not be ridden on sidewalks.

Scooters, mopeds and autocycles

• A scooter under 150cc is a motor-driven cycle needing a Class L license; 150cc or more needs a Class M license.
• A moped (no more than 50cc, no gear shifting) may be driven with any valid Illinois license.
• A low-speed electric scooter needs no license but the rider must be 18 or older, it tops out at 10 mph, and only one person may ride.
• An autocycle is a three-wheeler with a steering wheel; you need a valid driver's license to drive one.

Trucks and large vehicles

• Stay out of their No Zones (blind spots). If you cannot see the driver in the truck's mirror, the driver cannot see you.
• Trucks make wide right turns and may leave a gap on the right before turning. Do not slip into it.
• Dim your headlights when following a truck at night; bright lights reflect off its large mirrors.
• Pass quickly; do not linger alongside.

Disabled, slow and other vehicles

• On a four-lane highway, move to a lane away from a disabled vehicle with hazard lights; if you cannot, slow down until well past it.
• A towed car must be joined by a drawbar, normally no more than 15 feet apart.
• Police may tow an abandoned vehicle after 2 hours on an interstate or tollway, 10 hours on an urban highway and 24 hours on a rural highway.
• Low-speed vehicles reach 25 mph at most and may use streets posted 30 mph or less.
• Slow-moving vehicles usually travel 5 to 20 mph and carry an orange triangle emblem. You close on them very fast, and they may turn without warning into unmarked entrances.
• Never sound your horn near a horse; pass horseback riders with caution and be ready to stop.