We
previously reported about Illinois Senate Bill 3336, which if passed by both houses of the Illinois General Assembly and
signed by the Governor, would make comprehensive changes to the authority of
local governments to regulate several devices and vehicles, including electric
mobility devices (EMDs), motor driven cycles, low-speed electric bicycles, and
low-speed gas bicycles. We wanted to share a couple of updates to the bill, including House Floor Amendments No. 2 and No. 3.
House Floor Amendment No. 2 was
introduced on May 11, 2026, and subsequently recommended for adoption by the
House Transportation: Vehicles and Safety Committee. This amendment would make several
additional noteworthy changes to Senate Bill 3336, some of which are summarized below.
If
passed, the amendment would authorize park districts, forest preserve
districts, conservation districts, and transit districts, by ordinance or
resolution, to regulate the use of EMDs, low-speed gas bicycles, and low-speed
electric bicycles on bicycle paths in their respective jurisdictions. This
proposed change is important, because Senate Bill 3336 otherwise expressly
preempts local governments (including home rule units) from regulating EMDs,
motor driven cycles, low-speed gas bicycles, and low-speed electric bicycles.
If
passed, the amendment would also prohibit persons younger than 18 years old
from operating low-speed electric bicycles and low-speed electric scooters
manufactured to accommodate passengers, unless the passenger is a sibling,
stepsibling, child, or stepchild of the operator. The amendment would also
authorize operating low-speed gas bicycles on any highway, street, roadway, or
bicycle lane authorized for use by regular bicycles.
The
amendment also makes several important additions regarding mobility devices.
Specifically, the amendment clarifies that nothing in the Illinois Vehicle Code
prohibits the use of or reasonable accommodation for personal mobility devices
when operated by persons with disabilities. The amendment also clarifies that
the Vehicle Code’s rules for regular bicycles also apply to “adaptive electric
bicycles,” which are defined to mean an electric bicycle with 2 or more wheels
that is designed for and used by a person with a mobility disability.
House Floor Amendment No. 3 was introduced on May 21, 2026. If passed, it would add language exempting low-speed electric bicycles and low-speed gas bicycles from the driving while under the influence prohibitions unless the bicycle is capable of and operating in excess of 28 miles per hour.
Stay
tuned for more updates as this bill and any future amendments to it proceeds through
the Illinois General Assembly.
Post Authored by Eugene Bolotnikov & Julie Tappendorf, Ancel Glink
