Cook County Department of Transportation and Highways designs bike lanes on county-owned roadways using AASHTO and NACTO standards. The Forest Preserve District operates over 300 miles of off-road paths, and CTA and Pace transit corridors include shared bus-bike lanes in some segments.
Cook County Department of Transportation and Highways maintains the Cook County Bike Plan (2019) guiding lane installation on the 575-mile county highway network. Designs follow AASHTO Guide for Development of Bicycle Facilities and NACTO Urban Bikeway Design Guide, including buffered, protected, and standard lanes. The Forest Preserve District of Cook County operates over 300 miles of paved trails (Salt Creek, North Branch, Cal-Sag, Burnham Greenway). Municipal streets and Chicago Department of Transportation lanes are governed separately. Riding rules follow Illinois Vehicle Code (625 ILCS 5/11-1502 et seq.), which treats bicycles as vehicles with right of way and signaling duties.
Riding outside designated lanes where required, running stop signs, riding without lights at night, or blocking bus lanes triggers Illinois Vehicle Code citations starting around $75 plus court costs, escalating for repeat offenses.
See how Evanston's bike lane rules rules stack up against other locations.
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