Putting on the brakes: New Illinois law establishes rules for e-bikes,
scooters
[August 27, 2026]
By Ben Szalinski
New rules governing who can use electronic bikes and scooters, including
where and how fast they go, will go into effect next year following Gov.
JB Pritzker’s signature on Wednesday.
Pritzker signed Senate Bill 3484 which establishes regulations on
“micromobility” transportation that include age requirements, speed
limits and rules on where they can be operated. The bill takes effect
Jan. 1.
“Technology is evolving, providing expanded mobility options for our
neighbors through the rise in popularity of e-bikes and scooters,” bill
sponsor Sen. Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago), said in a statement. “But
without clear regulations for these devices, we are seeing increased
injuries and accidents — jeopardizing community safety.”
The bill passed both chambers with bipartisan support on June 1
following several amendments throughout the spring session.
The new law was one of Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias’ top
priorities during the legislative session. The Chicago mayoral candidate
said unregulated micromobility devices have become a problem in the
city.
“As these high-powered devices become faster and more common on our
streets and sidewalks, the stakes are simply too high to leave them
unregulated and outpacing public safety,” Giannoulias said in a
statement. “This law brings accountability and common-sense safety
standards to our roads while helping prevent serious injuries and
ensuring riders, parents and communities understand how to safely share
the road.”
The state already has some regulations for low-speed electric bikes and
scooters, but regulation often varies at the local level. The bill
creates new statewide standards for high-speed electric bikes and
scooters, electric motor bikes, and electric unicycles and skateboards.
“Municipal leaders have been responding in real time as new electric
devices appear on local streets, sidewalks and bike paths,” Illinois
Municipal League CEO Brad Cole said in a statement. “A statewide
framework gives communities greater consistency while providing local
officials and law enforcement with clearer guidance.”
Law enforcement groups were also in support of the bill.
What’s changing
It creates a new tier of regulations for “high-speed” e-bikes, which
have electric motors and can travel faster than 28 mph. Those would be
regulated similarly to motorcycles and require users to have a driver’s
license, insurance, an ownership title and register the vehicle with the
state. They also must be driven on roads.
“Low-speed” e-bikes are already regulated by the state, but the law
creates new tiers that govern how old a person must be to drive them.
Drivers must be 15 years old to operate a Class 1 pedal-assist bike that
travels up to 20 mph, such as Chicago’s Divvy Bikes, and a Class 2
motor-powered bike that doesn’t have to be pedaled. People must be 16
years old to drive pedal-assist bikes that can travel up to 28 mph.
[to top of second column]
|
Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias speaks at the Illinois
Democratic County Chairs’ Association annual breakfast in
Springfield on Aug. 19, 2026. (Capitol News Illinois photo by Jerry
Nowicki)
All low-speed e-bikes can be used on streets, bike lanes, paths and
trails, but not on sidewalks.
Some high-speed electric scooters can reach speeds of 50 mph, but the
new regulations limit riders to traveling up to 28 mph. Riders would be
allowed to operate them on paths, bike lanes, roads with speed limits up
to 35 mph, or roads with higher speed limits if there is a bike lane.
Users must be 16 years old.
Low-speed electric scooters that top out at 20 mph would also be allowed
on paths, bike lanes, and roads by users who are at least 16 years old,
down from 18 years old in current law.
Battery-powered devices designed for young children 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 as well.
Safety concerns
Supporters of the legislation say the devices create a safety hazard for
both riders and pedestrians because some can travel more than 40 mph and
can often be found sharing space on both sidewalks and busy streets.
Several crashes involving young riders on e-bikes have made headlines
this summer. A Crystal Lake 15-year-old was left in serious condition in
August and was found to be the at-fault driver when he drove in front of
a car, according to police. A 14-year-old was killed in July when he
crossed in front of an SUV while riding an electronic dirt bike in front
of Wauconda High School.
In Chicago, a 16-year-old on a Lime e-scooter was killed when he lost
control and was hit by a semi-truck near the intersection of Western
Avenue and Irving Park Road in early August. Two other teens were killed
in accidents on e-scooters on the city’s South Side earlier in the
summer.
The Secretary of State’s office plans to use a public awareness campaign
to make people aware of the new law and will be updating driver
education materials.
Capitol News Illinois is
a nonprofit, nonpartisan news service that distributes state government
coverage to hundreds of news outlets statewide. It is funded primarily
by the Illinois Press Foundation and the Robert R. McCormick Foundation.
 |
