Biking in Chicago can be a fun way to see the sights or a reliable way to commute to work

Chicago has more than 200 miles of on-street protected, buffered and shared bike lanes, many miles of off-street paths and more than 13,000 bike racks, making it a great place to be a cyclist. The city hosts a large infrastructure of rental bikes as well, allowing tourists and occasional travelers to quickly make it to their destination. The city offers an online guide covering the basic safety aspects of riding a bike in Chicago and even a video series of bike safety tips!

Get information here on bicycle crashes and Chicago law enforcement

The Chicago Police Department offers information on traffic and accidents, and also provides information on filing a police report after a serious bicycle crash. The department is a good resource for local residents and visitors alike to get information and assistance after a bicycle accident. They also offer online bicycle registration and bicycle maps of the Chicago area.

Chicago bicycle crashes have common causes and deadly outcomes

While helmets and pr oper reflective gear make bicycling safer, riding a bicycle is riskier than driving a car. Maintaining control is more difficult on two wheels, and when collisions happen, bicyclists are at greater risk of serious injury or death because they don't have an enclosed vehicle for protection.

Common causes of bicycle crashes include:

• Motorist turning across path of cyclist;
• Cyclist riding into the path of a motor vehicle;
• Cyclist turning right from a major road and from a minor road;
• Child cyclist playing or riding too fast.