A
new Illinois law governing who can use electric bikes and scooters, how fast
they go, and where they can be used will go into effect next year. Last week, Illinois Governor Pritzker signed Senate Bill 3484 (now P.A. 104-0854) creating new
statewide standards for “micromobility” devices that include age restrictions,
speed limits, and locations where they can operate. The bill takes effect on
January 1, 2027.
According
to the bill, “electric micromobility devices” are a light-weight, low-speed,
electric-powered device primarily used for personal transportation that operate
at speeds up to 28 miles per hour. This includes electric skateboards, electric
unicycles, low-speed electric scooters, and high-speed scooters.
Electric
and gas bicycles strong enough to exceed the state’s existing “low-speed”
thresholds fall into a category of regulations called “motor driven cycles.”
Electric bikes fall into this category if they either have electric motors rated
between 750 and 8,000 watts or can operate at speeds greater than 28 miles per
hour.
These
vehicles will be regulated similarly to motorcycles if owners of these
vehicles purchased new on or after January 1, 2027, will be required to have a
driver’s license, insurance, an ownership title, and register the vehicle with
the state. According to the bill, the Secretary of State may issue an instruction permit
to a person who is 16 or 17 years old that entitles the holder to drive on the highways
during daylight under direct supervision of a licensed motor driven cycle
operator who is at least 21 and has a year of driving experience.
“Motor
driven cycles” can operate on any public highway, street, or roadway, but may not
be used on any sidewalk, bicycle lane, bicycle path, shared-use path, off-road
bicycle trail, or natural surface trail designated for bicycle use.
“Low-speed”
electric bicycles are already regulated by the state, but the law creates new categories
that govern how old a person must be to drive them. Drivers must be 15 years old
to operate a Class 1 pedal-assist bicycle that’s limited to 20 miles per hour,
and a Class 2 motor-powered bike that doesn’t have to be pedaled. However, riders
must be 16 years old to operate a Class 3 pedal-assist bike that can travel up
to 28 miles per hour.
All
low-speed electric bicycles can be used on streets, bikes, lanes, paths, and trails,
but not sidewalks.
The
new regulations cap “electric micromobility devices” such as electric skateboards,
electric unicycles, low-speed electric scooters, and high-speed scooters at
28 miles per hour. Devices capable of exceeding that speed are barred outright from
public roads, bike lanes, and bike paths, regardless of the posted speed limit.
Riders may operate qualifying devices on any path, bike lane, roads with speed
limits up to 35 miles per hour, or roads with higher speed limits if there is a
bike lane. A person may not operate one of these devices unless they are 16
years of age or older.
Battery
powered ride-on toys that are designed for children under 8-years-old would be
unregulated aside from a stipulation they must stay on sidewalks and paths.
Users
who violate the regulations could pay fines and have their devices confiscated
and impounded by the police. They are also subject to other existing traffic
laws and penalties.
Authored by Betsy Lecy and Julie Tappendorf, Ancel Glink
