Biking Opportunities

Chicago Lake Front:   This spectacular 20-mile shoreline bike path takes you through some of the best views Chicago has to offer. Visit Lincoln Park Zoo, the Shedd Aquarium, Oak Street Beach, Grant Park, the Museum of Science and Industry or any number of other outstanding places the city has to offer.

Fox River Bike Trail:   Thirty-five miles of trail wind through the Fox River Valley from Aurora to Algonquin. You'll bike through forest and nature preserves and some lovely communities to which you'll long to return. 

Great Western Trail:   This 18-mile trail between St. Charles and Sycamore in Kane and DeKalb counties stands on the former site of the Chicago and North Western Railroad line. Enjoy the striking rural landscape, including the wetlands. 

Illinois & Michigan Canal State Trail:  Forty miles of trail await you at the historic I & M Canal. It begins at Channahon, southwest of Joliet to Gebhard Woods State Park and continues from Marseilles to LaSalle. The canal once was part of an important transportation network linking Lake Michigan to the Gulf of Mexico.

Illinois Prairie Path:   One of the first rail-trails in the country, the 62-mile Illinois Prairie Path is a pitchfork-shaped trail in the heart of the Chicago suburbs. This hiking, bicycling, equestrian and nature trail in DuPage and Kane counties stretches from Elmhurst to Wheaton, where it splits into four spurs that lead to the Fox River in Elgin, Batavia, Aurora and Geneva.  

Twenty-four miles of mountain bike trails are available, consisting of two loops and a connecting trail. The Prairie Lake loop is 17 miles, the Drake Lake loop is 5 miles, and 2 miles of trail connect the two loops. Trails are open 1:00 pm to dusk April 16 - May 15 and sunrise until sunset May 16 - October 31.  From November 1 - April 15 trails are closed to mountain bikes. The rolling scenic trail traverses forests and grasslands and has many overlooks along the lake.

The park's trail system stretches for miles along both sides of the Kankakee River. Hiking, biking and cross-country ski trails are on the river's north side, while horse and snowmobile trails can be found on the south. A 3-mile route along Rock Creek lets hikers take in the beauty of limestone canyons and a frothy waterfall. A bicycle trail begins at Davis Creek Area and travels 10.5 miles along the river and loops in the west end of the park.

Kickapoo State Park:  Visit Champaign County to experience Illinois' newest rail-to-trail conversion. Flat, fast and fun! Experience a peaceful setting and world class sunsets as you coast from Urbana to St. Joseph. The first phase was recently completed (6.7 miles of the 24.5 mile trail) so take advantage of the unique opportunity to watch the Kickapoo Rail Trail grow. Don't forget to bike and dine at one of the many eateries that won Champaign/Urbana the "2017 Midwest Living's Greatest Food Town Award."

Lake Le-Aqua-Na State Recreation Area: There are 10.5 miles of biking trails to be enjoyed.

Matthiessen State Park: The park provides 9 miles of multi-use mountain bike/horseback riding trails for those who own their own horse or mountain bike. The trails are color coded and marked with the yield order triangle which symbolizes that all users yield to horse riders.

Moraine Hills Bike Trail:  Eleven miles of trails meander through beautiful Moraine Hills State Park near McHenry. Exceptional scenic and wildlife viewing opportunities abound. Come see the remarkable work the great glaciers left behind. 

Newton Lake State Fish & Wildlife Area: A 5-mile mountain bike trail is available.

Pyramid State Park:  There are 16.5 miles of mountain biking trails available.

Red Hills State Park: There is a 5-mile trail for bicycling when soil conditions permit. Please call the park to confirm trail conditions.

Rock Cut State Park: The site offers 23 miles of mountain biking trails. The blue color-coded markers identify the mountain biking trails. The trails are open from April 1 - November 30.

Rock Island Trail:   This 27-mile greenway on the former right-of-way of the Rock Island Railroad in Peoria and Stark counties is the first state-owned trail. The hiking, biking and cross-country ski trail set in the scenic central Illinois rural landscape extends from Alta, near Peoria, to Toulon, in Stark County and passes through the communities of Dunlap, Princeville, and Wyoming.

Tunnel Hill State Trail:   is located in southern Illinois, between the communities of Harrisburg in Saline County and Karnak in Pulaski County. The trail provides hiking and biking through farmland, hills/bluffs, and bottomland areas. One may travel through the Cache River Natural Area and Shawnee National Forest on the trail.

Vadalabene Bike Trail:   Tour some of the most breathtaking scenery in the nation along this 14.5-mile trail from Alton to Grafton. Nine miles of the trip is along the Great River Road and an extension to beautiful Pere Marquette State Park is being developed. Travel along the Mississippi River, view the towering bluffs, and see bald eagles take wing. Don't forget to stop in historic Elsah. 

 The State of Illinois recommends that when planning a bike tour the Department of Transportation be contacted for county maps showing low-volume local roads along your selected route. A map catalog can be obtained from: 

 Map Sales

 Illinois Dept. of Transportation

 2300 S. Dirksen Parkway

 027 Administration Bldg.

 Springfield, IL 62764 

 Bikeways

 Northeastern Illinois Planning Commission

 400 W. Madison Street, Room 200

 Chicago, IL 60606 

 For more information concerning other trail activities, please contact: 

Illinois Department of Natural Resources
 Planning Division
 One Natural Resources Way
 Springfield, IL 62702
 217/782-7454  

As a general rule, bicyclists must obey the same traffic laws as vehicle drivers. The following laws and safety rules are particularly important for bicyclists: 

• Always ride with the traffic flow, as close to the right edge of the road as possible. 
• Obey all traffic signals, pavement markings and directions given by police officers. 
• Use hand signals to let drivers know your intentions.
• Bicycling after dark is very hazardous. Bicycles must be equipped with a front light that reaches 500 feet and a rear, red reflector. 
• Wearing light-colored, reflective clothing increases your visibility to other drivers during the day and night.
• Learn to look over your shoulder without losing your balance or swerving left. 
• Do not pass on the right. Motorists often will not look for passing cyclists in that direction.
• When moving the same speed as traffic, ride in the middle of the lane, especially at busy intersections. 
• Keep both hands on the brakes. Allow extra stopping time in the rain.
• Be alert for cars pulling out and make eye contact with the drivers to ensure you have been seen. 
• Do not weave between parked cars.

In addition to state laws, many municipalities have ordinances restricting bicycles in certain areas. Contact local law enforcement agencies in the areas where you plan to ride. 

Bicycle Maintenance Checklist
 
 Inspect your bicycle for the following:

• Wheels are securely attached, properly adjusted and spin freely with all spokes in place. 
• All reflectors are clean and intact. 
• The seat and handlebars are adjusted to a comfortable position with all nuts and bolts tightened.  
• Hand grips are secure. 
• Tires should not have cracks on the sidewalls, cuts in the tread or excessive wear. Using proper tire pressure, printed on the sidewall of the tire, prevents excessive wear.
• Caliper brake pads are not worn and are properly adjusted.
• Gear and brake cables move freely. Replace rusted or frayed cables. 
• The chain should be free of rust. Too much oil will attract dust and dirt, shortening the life of the chain. 
• Pedals are securely fastened, and pedal reflectors are clean and visible. 

This checklist takes only a few minutes and may prevent you from having an accident or mechanical breakdown. If you are uncertain of the condition of your bicycle, visit a local bike shop. Most shops offer free safety inspections and books on do-it-yourself maintenance. 

Always lock your bicycle when it is parked. Register your bicycle with your local police department if possible. Be sure to keep your bike's serial number in a safe place.  Always lock your bicycle when it is parked. Register your bicycle with your local police department if possible. Be sure to keep your bike's serial number in a safe place.