Bicycle Registration and Safety
In Illinois, bicycles on the street are subject to the same traffic rules as motor vehicles. Cyclists are expected to obey traffic signs, signals and right of ways just like those driving a car.
Oak Park also has several local ordinances pertaining to cyclists, including:
- Bicycles may not be ridden on the sidewalk by anyone over 15 years old.
- Cyclists on roadways should ride as close to the right-hand side of the street as possible.
- Groups of cyclists on the road should ride in a single file.
- Bicycles cannot be used to carry more than the number of people for which the bike is designed or equipped.
Tips for deterring bike thieves
Bicycle thefts tend to increase during warmer weather. Following these steps, police say, can help deter bicycle thieves:
- Don’t leave your bike unlocked or unattended. Police recommend a U lock.
- Lock your bike even when it is stored in a closed garage, enclosed porch or basement common area.
- Never let anyone you do not know take your bike for a ride.
- Be cautious of two people on one bike. Bicycle thieves often travel in pairs this way.
- Trust your instincts. If you feel someone is going to take your bicycle, shout for help.
- Stay in the company of friends — there usually is safety in numbers.
- Think twice about resisting — your bike can be replaced.
- Call 911 immediately if you see anyone suspicious hanging around a bike rack, in a neighbor’s yard or near a garage.
- Register your bike with the Village. Should your bike be stolen and later recovered the registration provides information about its rightful owner.
Police urge parents to share these tips with their children. For more information, call 708.386.3800, email police@oak-park.us.
More information on bicycling in Oak Park
Register a bicycle
To deter bicycle thieves, the Police Department offers a registration program. Residents who register their bicycles will receive a difficult-to-remove decal that will allow easy identification should a registered bicycle be stolen and later recovered. The decal also serves as a deterrent to thieves because the bicycle can be easily traced to its owner.
Please use the form below to begin the registration process for your bicycle.
