Child Riding Bicycle on Residential Street Not “Intended User” and Village Entitled to Immunity

As a child of the 80s, I rode my BMX through suburban streets, unaware of cycling laws. This reality struck sixth-grader Denis Hodzic, injured after hitting a sinkhole while biking in Lincolnwood, Illinois. His mother’s lawsuit raised an important question: should municipalities be accountable for cyclist injuries on their roads? The answer lies in the complex distinction between “intended” and “permitted” users, which could reshape biking safety and municipal responsibility.