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PROPOSED ORDINANCE AMENDMENT
BIKE ORDINANCE
BE IT ORDAINED, by the Forest Preserve District of Cook County Board of Commissioners, that Title 4 - Motor Vehicles and Traffic, Chapter 3 - Bicycles of the Forest Preserve District of Cook County Code of Ordinances is hereby amended as follows:
CHAPTER 3 - BICYCLES AND EBIKES
4-3-1: - OPERATION OF BICYCLES AND EBIKES.
A. Definitions:
1. “Bicycle” or “bicycle” means a device propelled by human power upon which any person may ride, having two tandem wheels except scooters and similar devices. The definition of “Bicycle” or “bicycle” shall also encompass recumbent road bicycles and mobile elliptical trainers propelled by human power.
2. “Bicycle Trail” means a trail on which the General Superintendent allows bicycle riding as an exclusive or non-exclusive use of such trail, as indicated by sign or notice.
3. “Ebike” means, for purposes of this ordinance, a bicycle equipped with fully operable pedals and an electric motor of less than 750 watts, which is classified as either “Ebike-Class 1” or “Ebike-Class 2.” An Ebike is not a “moped” or a “motor driven cycle” as such terms are defined in 625 ILCS 5/1-148.2 and 625 ILCS 5/1-145.001 of the Illinois Vehicle Code. For purposes of this ordinance, the term “Ebike” does not include a “Class 3 low-speed electric bicycle” which is a low-speed electric bicycle equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling and that ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches a speed of 28 miles per hour.
4. “Ebike-Class 1” means a low-speed electric bicycle equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling and that ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches a speed of 20 miles per hour.
5. “Ebike-Class 2” means a low-speed electric bicycle equipped with a motor that may be used exclusively to propel the bicycle and that is not capable of providing assistance when the bicycle reaches a speed of 20 miles per hour.
B. General:
1. Persons may operate a bicycle or Ebike only on Bicycle Trails and must not operate a bicycle or Ebike on any other District property, unless authorized by the General Superintendent.
2. No person may operate an Ebike on single track trails unless authorized by the General Superintendent.
3. Persons operating bicycles and Ebikes must ride within the designated lane on the Bicycle Trail as indicated by signs or notice, or if no specific lane is designated, on the right-hand side of such Bicycle Trail.
4. No person may operate a bicycle or Ebike more than two (2) abreast or side by side on any area designated for bicycle use.
5. Persons operating a bicycle or Ebike shall walk or ride such bicycle or Ebike in single file when approaching or overtaking another bicyclist, pedestrian or equestrian.
6. No person may operate a bicycle or Ebike while carrying another person on the handlebars, frame or fender, or so ride on a bicycle or Ebike, except in a suitable seat attached to such bicycle or Ebike for such purpose.
7. No person may operate any bicycle or Ebike in any manner that endangers the safety of other persons or property, including, without limitation, other bicyclists and trail users, and taking into consideration, without limitation, weather; Bicycle Trail conditions, surfaces, hills, curves, intersections; and other bicycle, Ebike, pedestrian, and/or equestrian traffic.
8. No person may operate any bicycle or Ebike in excess of a posted speed limit, or in the absence of a posted speed limit, at a speed in excess of fifteen (15) m.p.h.
9. No person shall ride their bicycle or Ebike while it is attached to a moving vehicle.
10. The operator of a bicycle or Ebike shall yield the right-of-way to all pedestrians and equestrians on Bicycle Trails and follow all traffic rules, and shall walk their bicycle or Ebike in all areas where bicycle or Ebike riding is not specifically allowed by the General Superintendent, as indicated by sign or notice.
11. The operator of a bicycle or Ebike shall give an audible warning, by horn, bell, voice or otherwise, when approaching any pedestrian from behind.
12. No person may operate any Ebike-Class 3 or Class 3 low-speed electric bicycle.
13. No person may operate any electrically powered scooter, unicycle, hoverboard or similar electrically powered recreational device.
14. No person may operate any gas powered bicycle.
15. This section does not prohibit any person with mobility impairment(s) from using an electronic personal assistive mobility device in accordance with District policy.
16. Any person in violation of this Section 4-3-1(B) shall be fined not less than seventy-five dollars ($75.00) or more than five hundred dollars ($500.00) for each offense.
C. Helmets: The District does not require but strongly recommends that no person shall operate a bicycle or Ebike on District property, particularly minor children age fourteen (14) and under, unless that person is wearing a properly fitted and fastened protective helmet that meets the standards promulgated by the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission. This recommendation also applies to a person in a restraining seat that is attached to the bicycle or Ebike, or in a trailer towed by the bicycle or Ebike.
A. General: Persons may operate a bicycle only on paths, trails, roadways or other areas designated for bicycle use. Persons operating bicycles must ride on the right-hand side of such path, trail, roadway or other area designated for bicycle use by the General Superintendent. Not more than two (2) bicycles shall be operated abreast or side by side. No person may operate a bicycle while carrying another person on the handlebars, frame or fender, or so ride on a bicycle, except in a suitable seat attached to such bicycle for such purpose. No person may operate a bicycle in a reckless manner so as to endanger pedestrians. No person shall cling or attach himself/herself or his/her bicycle to any other moving vehicle. The operator of a bicycle shall yield the right-of-way to all pedestrians on walkways and to all vehicles on roadways, and shall walk his/her bicycle in all areas where riding is prohibited by the General Superintendent, as indicated by sign or notice. The operator of a bicycle shall give an audible warning, by horn, bell, voice or otherwise, when approaching any pedestrian from behind. Any violation of this Section 4-3-1.A. shall be fined not less than seventy-five dollars ($75.00) or more than five hundred dollars ($500.00) for each offense.
D. B. Motorized Bicycles: Persons may not use or ride within the District any electric or electric assisted bicycle capable of exceeding a speed of fifteen (15) miles per hour. Any violation of this Section 4-3-1.B. shall be fined not less than seventy-five dollars ($75.00) or more than five hundred dollars ($500.00) for each offense. This section is not intended to prohibit any person with mobility impairment(s) from using an electronic personal assistive mobility device.
E. C. Helmets:
F. 1. No person age fourteen (14) or under shall operate a bicycle nor ride upon a bicycle on Cook County Forest Preserve property, bikeway, or trail unless that person is wearing a properly fitted and fastened protective helmet that meets the standards promulgated by either: The American National Standards Institute, the American Society for Testing, the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission, or the Snell Memorial Foundation, Inc., or standards subsequently established by those entities. This requirement also applies to a person who rides upon a bicycle while in a restraining seat that is attached to the bicycle or in a trailer towed by the bicycle.
G. 2. A violation of Section 4-3-1.C. of this Ordinance No. 15-0256, is an infraction punishable by the following: first violation will be a warning; second violation will be a fine of ten dollars ($10.00); and each additional violation will be a fine of twenty-five dollars ($25.00). The parent or legal guardian having control or custody of an unemancipated minor age fourteen (14) or under whose conduct violates this Ordinance No. 15-0256 shall be jointly and severally liable with the minor age fourteen (14) or under for the amount of the fine imposed.
H. 3. Fines collected for a violation of Section 4-3-1.C. of this Ordinance No. 15-0256 shall be deposited in a special account of the Cook County Forest Preserve District to be used for bicycle safety education and for assisting low-income families in obtaining approved bicycle helmets for children under the age of fourteen (14) years.
I. 4. The Cook County Forest Preserve District shall create and implement a bicycle education safety program that at a minimum includes: Outreach to schools; development and distribution of an informational brochure; placement of safety information on the District's website; appropriate signage in Forest Preserves; and four (4) educational programs per year.
J. 5. The Cook County Forest Preserve District Board of Commissioners has a desire to assure that all children have access to bicycle helmets regardless of their economic situations. To address this concern, the Forest Preserve District will develop a bicycle helmet rebate program in partnership with appropriate non-profit groups for qualified, low-income applicants. Proof of income, residency, and purchase must be provided. Eligibility for this program is based on Federal Poverty Guidelines.
K. 6. To support this rebate program, the District will establish a designated account that can accept charitable donations and look for private, corporate, and organizational partners that would be willing to make financial contributions to the program. Additionally, fines collected for violations of Section 4-3-1.C. of this Ordinance No. 15-0256 can be used for the rebate program.
Effective date: This ordinance shall be in effect May 1, 2021.
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