Articles Posted in Personal Injury

As Chicago finally thaws out after another long winter, the streets begin to change. Warmer temperatures mean more pedestrians, more outdoor activity, and importantly, a sharp increase in bicyclists sharing the road. For drivers across Chicago, this seasonal shift brings new risks and responsibilities.

At Zneimer & Zneimer P.C., a Chicago plaintiff’s bike injury law firm, this is the time of year when we unfortunately begin to see more bike-related injuries, many of which are entirely preventable.

More Bikes, More Risk

Chicago’s continued expansion of the Divvy bike-share system marks a major shift toward sustainable transportation. The City’s March 2026 announcement highlights new stations, broader neighborhood access, and incentives like reduced-cost memberships aimed at increasing ridership across the city.

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:

By Zneimer & Zneimer P.C. – Chicago Personal Injury Lawyers

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.

Chicago is once again debating how to balance traffic safety with everyday commercial reality. A recently advanced ordinance, championed by Ald. Daniel La Spata and approved by the City Council’s Committee on Pedestrian and Traffic Safety, would expand enforcement against vehicles that block bike lanes, bus lanes, and crosswalks.

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.

Chicago has made major investments in bike lanes—especially protected lanes designed to separate cyclists from vehicle traffic. These projects aim to reduce crashes, improve safety, and encourage alternative transportation. But as winter sets in, a serious question remains:

If Chicago expects people to keep biking in winter, are the bike lanes being kept safe enough to actually use?

At Zneimer & Zneimer, P.C., we represent injured cyclists and drivers alike. Winter biking highlights a growing conflict between safety, infrastructure, and real-world conditions on Chicago streets.