Aurora Bicycle Accident Lawyer

As home to portions of the well-known Illinois Prairie Path and Fox River Bike Trail, to name a few, Aurora, like many other Chicago suburbs, is a beautiful city for bicycle enthusiasts. Bicycling has long been a recreational hobby to Chicago residents, and for many, is also a means of transportation. Unfortunately, current bike paths in Aurora do not always afford a convenient means of transportation to all of its residents. As such, bicyclists are often forced to share Aurora’s busy roadways with motorists, thereby risking life and limb. Although comprehensive statewide planning currently aimed at implementing safe biking routes offers hope for future prevention of bicycling accidents, the attorneys of Zneimer & Zneimer, P.C. encourages all bicyclists to travel cautiously, safely, and responsibly.

Pursuant to Aurora’s Motor Vehicles and Traffic Municipal Code pertaining to Bicyclists, every person riding a bicycle upon a roadway is granted all the same rights applicable to the driver of a vehicle, including rules of the road and traffic ordinances as proscribed by both state and local law. With such privilege, also attaches a simultaneous obligation to adhere to all duties, when applicable, as if such bicyclist were traveling via motor vehicle. For example, the operator of a bicycle emerging from an alley, driveway or building must yield the right of way to pedestrians approaching on the sidewalk or the area extending across an alleyway, and must also yield the right of way to motorists approaching on the roadway. Through adherence to important safety measures, such as those proscribed in Aurora’s Muncipal Code of Ordinances, Aurora residents can aide in the prevention of serious bicycle accidents.

In addition to practicing safe bicycling, it is also important to be aware of other ordinances concerning the ownership of bicycles within the City of Aurora. Aurora, like many other Chicago suburbs, requires that the owner of a bicycle, used on any street or public bicycle path, apply for a license with the police department. Approval of the application not only verifies ownership, but also confirms that the bicycle is in proper mechanical condition. Pursuant to Aurora Municipal Code Sec. 27-279, “[a] bicycle shall be deemed not to be in a safe mechanical condition if any part thereof is missing, loose, inoperative or is otherwise defective, and when the defect is such as may cause injury to anyone riding the bicycle or to pedestrians.” Upon issuance of the license, the tag is to be permanently affixed to the frame of the bicycle, and “the removal of such tag, except by the proper authorities, shall constitute a violation of this article.” See Aurora Municipal Code of Ordinances Sec. 27-277.

The bicycle accident attorneys of Zneimer & Zneimer, P.C. also encourage the parents of Aurora, with children that utilize bicycles on public roadways or paths, be aware of the Municipal Ordinances pertaining to parental responsibility. Aurora parents who authorize or knowingly permit their child to violate any provisions of the City’s Bicycling Code, can be found guilty of a misdemeanor. Conviction of a violation can result in the imposition of a fine of up to One-hundred Dollars ($100.00), impoundment of the bicycle for a period of up to ten (10) days, or both.

Although some may find Aurora’s policy concerning the ownership and operation of bicycles within the City to be rather stringent, they serve the purposeful function of promoting safety throughout the City of Aurora. As bicycle enthusiasts, and witnesses to far too many tragic bicycle accidents, the attorneys of Zneimer & Zneimer, P.C. support such important regulations, which promote safety, awareness, and prevention.

If you or a loved one were injured as a result of a bicycle accident, contact the Chicago Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Attorneys at 773-516-4100, or online at our website to set up a FREE personal injury consultation to discuss your legal options.