Now that spring has arrived, the weather is warming up in Illinois. After being required to stay at home over the past couple months, many motorcyclists are looking forward to hitting the open road, whether they will be commuting to and from work at an essential business or seeking a reprieve from being cooped up indoors. May is National Motorcycle Awareness Month, and advocates are working to make other motorists more aware of motorcycle riders and help reduce or prevent accidents. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), approximately 5,000 motorcyclists were killed in traffic accidents in 2018. It is especially important for car and truck drivers to understand the safety challenges faced by motorcycle riders. Due to their lack of protection compared to vehicles, riders are more vulnerable to collisions and injuries.
Illinois Motorcycle Laws
There are certain laws that have been put in place to protect motorcyclists. In Illinois, a person must complete a required course and take a written and driving test before obtaining their motorcycle license. Additional requirements include traveling at the posted speed limit, wearing protective gear, and turning on headlights at all times, even during the daytime. Inclement weather such as rain, wind, and fog can reduce a cyclist’s visibility, so it is imperative that they take steps to ensure they are seen by other people on the road.
Although Illinois does not require motorcyclists to wear helmets, they have been proven to help protect riders’ heads in the event of a crash. The following are a few other ways that a motorcyclist can reduce the likelihood of being involved in an accident:
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Chicago is the third largest city in the United States, and the latest census information puts its population at approximately 9.5 million people. The Chicago metropolitan area includes the city and its surrounding suburbs, and there are many public transit options for residents as well as tourists. Traffic in Chicago is known to be heavy, especially on weekdays during rush hour. That is why many city dwellers and suburbanites use mass transit to get to and from work. From Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) and Pace buses to “the L” (elevated trains), Metra trains, and water taxis, there are many ways to get all over the city without driving a vehicle. However, as with other forms of transportation, there is the potential for 
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