Bloomington, IL Mobility & Curb Rules: Bike Lane Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Path-use rule
- Mandatory when usable path provided
- Two-abreast limit
- Only on exclusive bike paths
- Governing section
- § 29-1905
- Max fine
- $50 fine or 10-day impound
Summary
In the City of Bloomington, cyclists on a roadway must ride as far right as practicable and may not ride more than two abreast except on a dedicated bicycle path, under City Code § 29-1905. Where the City has built a usable adjacent bicycle path, § 29-1905(C) makes using it mandatory and bars riding in the roadway instead.
A. Every person operating a bicycle upon a roadway shall ride as near to the right side of the roadway as practicable, exercising due care when passing a standing vehicle or one proceeding in the same direction. B. Persons riding bicycles upon a roadway shall not ride more than two abreast except on paths or parts of roadways set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles. C. Wherever a usable path for bicycles has been provided adjacent to the roadway, bicycle riders shall use such path and shall not use the roadway. ... Every parent or child convicted of a violation of any provision of this article shall be punished by a fine of not more than $50 or by impounding of such person's bicycle for a period not to exceed 10 days or by any combination thereof.
Full Breakdown
Article XIX of Chapter 29, Regulations for Bicycles, gives every bicycle rider the same rights and duties as a motor vehicle driver under § 29-1902 while layering on bicycle-specific rules. Under § 29-1905, a cyclist on a roadway must stay as near the right side as practicable, exercising due care when passing a standing or same-direction vehicle, and may not ride more than two abreast on an ordinary roadway lane; riding side by side is allowed only on paths or roadway portions set aside exclusively for bicycles.
The mandatory-use clause in § 29-1905(C) goes further: wherever the City has provided a usable bicycle path adjacent to a roadway, riders must use that path and are barred from using the roadway itself, so a physically usable bike path removes the option to ride in the traffic lane beside it. Related sections in the same article require obedience to traffic-control devices (§ 29-1903), sitting astride a proper seat and never carrying more riders than the bicycle is designed for (§ 29-1904), yielding to pedestrians and vehicles when emerging from an alley or driveway (§ 29-1907), keeping at least one hand on the handlebars (§ 29-1908), parking against a curb, rack or building without blocking pedestrians (§ 29-1909), and running a front lamp visible 500 feet plus a rear reflector visible from 50 to 300 feet at night and an audible bell (§ 29-1911).
Riding on a Central Business District sidewalk is separately banned by § 29-1910(D), except for police officers on duty. Under § 29-1901, a parent or guardian who lets a minor child or ward break any of these rules is held responsible for the violation.
Violations & Fines
Article XIX carries its own penalty clause: § 29-1912 punishes any parent or child convicted of violating a bicycle-regulation provision, including the mandatory-path and roadway rules of § 29-1905, by a fine of not more than $50, by impounding the bicycle for up to 10 days, or by both. Riding two abreast outside an exclusive bike path, or riding the roadway instead of a provided adjacent bicycle path, is charged the same way.
Frequently Asked Questions
If Bloomington builds a bike path next to a road, can I still ride in the street?
Can two cyclists ride side by side on a Bloomington street?
What is the penalty for breaking a bicycle rule in Bloomington?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Bloomington
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