This Is The Strange Reason Why Highway 20 In Rockford Was Closed This Morning

A very busy stretch of U.S. Highway 20 was closed this morning causing commuters to scramble to try and find a different way to work.

According to WIFR, "A man remains in critical condition after being hit by a car when he was riding his bike early Wednesday morning."

Police say the man was riding his bike while going eastbound on 20 just east of the South Main entrance. The man was struck by a vehicle going in the same direction around 2:30 a.m.

The man was then rushed to a local hospital.

Having driven Highway 20 to and from the radio station during the week, Highway 20 is a dangerous stretch of road. Especially between Main Street and Harrison Avenue.

There are many entrance and exit ramps that could cause a quick jerk of the breaks or a swerve without a shoulder check, all of which could (and have) lead to an accident at one time or another. However, this is the first time I've heard of an accident that occurred on Highway 20 due to a bicyclist.

Besides the obvious question as to why the man was riding his bicycle on Highway 20, is that even a legal action?

Treehugger.com says riding bicycles on "U.S. Roads and Interstates" is prohibited whereas while not specifically saying legal or not, the Illinois Bicycle Rules of the Road handbook has a section mentioning "Vehicles Overtaking a Bicycle on a Highway."

It could be a very loose use of the word "highway" in the handbook.

Which is it? Is it legal to ride your bike on the highway? Yes or no?

Sweet Lenny is the brand manager of 97ZOK and Operations Manager for Townsquare Media Rockford. Catch him afternoons 3 to 7 on 97ZOK. Follow him on Twitter, Instagram and like his page on Facebook.