For drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists, this raises a critical issue:

Are speed cameras making Chicago streets safer, or are they simply another form of revenue generation?

Divvy is already one of the largest bike-share systems in North America, with over 1,000 stations and more than 11 million bike and scooter trips recorded in 2024 alone.

As access expands, more Chicago residents are turning to Divvy bikes, including electric bikes, for commuting and recreation. But this rapid growth comes with an important legal and safety reality:

For many Chicago families, walking or biking to school is a daily routine that promotes exercise, independence, and community connection. Children enjoy seeing friends along the route, getting fresh air, and arriving at school energized. Unfortunately, the simple act of traveling to school can also expose students to significant traffic risks on Chicago streets.

Recent data highlights just how serious the problem can be. According to an analysis of Chicago Police Department crash reports, at least 2,860 Chicago pedestrians or cyclists between the ages of 1 and 19 have been struck by vehicles since 2021. These incidents represent thousands of children whose trips to school, parks, or neighborhood activities ended in injury.

Electric bikes and scooters have rapidly reshaped transportation across Illinois. What began as pedal-assist bicycles traveling 15–20 mph has evolved into a new generation of high-powered electric devices capable of 40–50 mph speeds — often operated without licensing, insurance, or clear regulatory oversight.

Electric bikes are ubiquitous nowadays on the streets of Chicago. What began as pedal-assist bicycles traveling 15–20 mph has evolved into a new generation of high-powered electric devices capable of 40–50 mph speeds, often operated without licensing, insurance, or clear regulatory oversight. The question becomes where exactly e-bikes are supposed to be driven. Should people be riding their e-bikes 30 miles per hour in bike lanes and on the lake bike trails? When a bike reaches that speed shouldn’t they even be treated more like a motorcycle and less like a bike? What ages should be allowed to ride e-bikes that can achieve high speeds? How safe is it to have high speed bikes on trails and lanes meant for pedal bikes? These are questions that our city and state lawmakers have left unanswered.

The proposal would allow residents to submit photos and videos of illegally parked vehicles through 311, with enforcement aides dispatched to investigate and issue citations. Early phases would reportedly focus on commercial vehicles, with the goal of improving compliance and safety.

The personal injury lawyers of  Zneimer & Zneimer, P.C., see firsthand how obstructed lanes and poorly managed street design contribute to serious injuries. But we also understand the practical tensions this ordinance raises.

The personal injury lawyers of Zneimer & Zneimer, P.C., have seen firsthand how these roadway designs can contribute to crashes resulting in severe vehicle damage and significant personal injuries.

This article we discuss the risks of bump outs and and what can be done to alleviate the risk.

Me quedé preguntándome cómo pude haber golpeado la isla peatonal cuando iba en línea recta. Al inspeccionarla, pude ver que ahora los conductores deben desviarse ligeramente hacia la derecha para evitarla. Al observar todas las marcas negras de neumáticos y el cemento astillado, quedó claro que no fui el único en golpearla. Los abogados de lesiones personales de Zneimer & Zneimer, P.C., en este artículo, analizarán los beneficios y peligros de las recientes incorporaciones a nuestras carreteras de Chicago.

Si conduce en Chicago, ha visto los cambios: “bump-outs” (extensiones de acera) de cemento en las esquinas, medianas de concreto, islas de refugio, carriles para bicicletas protegidos y más rotondas en lugares que antes eran intersecciones simples y amplias.

Muchos conductores simplemente no se detienen en los cruces peatonales

Probablemente todos en Chicago han experimentado estar de pie en un cruce esperando para cruzar mientras autos y camiones pasan a toda velocidad sin siquiera reducir la velocidad. Uno puede aventurarse al tráfico si es lo suficientemente valiente —o imprudente— como para dar por sentado que los vehículos se detendrán, pero esto no es recomendable. Algunos conductores están distraídos. Otros son impacientes. Algunos creen erróneamente que los peatones siempre deben esperar.

Many drivers simply do not stop at crosswalks.

Everyone in Chicago has probably experienced standing at a crosswalk waiting to cross as cars and trucks zoom past without even slowing down. One can venture out into traffic if one is brave or foolish enough to take for granted that the traffic will stop but this is not recommended.  Some drivers are distracted. Others are impatient. Some mistakenly believe pedestrians must always wait.

Understanding these distinctions is critical if you were injured in a winter slip-and-fall.

The General Rule in Illinois: No Automatic Liability for Snow and Ice