Big Changes Coming to E-Bike Laws in Illinois

If it feels like you’ve been seeing more e-scooters zipping around Northern Illinois lately, you’re not imagining it. Now, the rules of the road are finally catching up.

E-Bike Laws in Illinois

Now that the weather has finally warmed up in Illinois, we're seeing more "fun" vehicles on the road, and many of them are high-powered electric bikes and scooters.

For years, towns, villages, and cities all across Illinois have handled motorized electric vehicles differently, and it can be incredibly confusing, but Illinois Senators just approved a new bill that aims to change that.

According to Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias:

Illinois currently has no laws governing e-bikes and other micromobility devices that exceed 28 mph. Many of these devices have motors that exceed 750 watts and can travel well beyond 28 mph – in some cases over 50 mph – yet are not clearly addressed under existing law.

Now, Illinois is working to roll out updated laws that will bring some much-needed clarity (and safety) to the fast-growing world of electric scooters and other “micromobility” devices.

Updates to Illinois E-Bike Laws

Here are the major Illinois e-bike law updates that could go into effect January 1, 2027:

• Anyone riding e-bikes or e-motos that can travel over 28 mph must have a driver’s license, title, registration and insurance.
• It will be illegal for high-speed electric devices like scooters, skateboards and unicycles to travel over 28 mph on roads, bike lanes, bike paths and sidewalks.
• This legislation will apply statewide and override all local ordinances.

Why This E-Bike and E-Scooter Safety Bill Matters

From Illinois bike paths to busy city sidewalks, this bill is meant to make Illinois safer for everyone, especially kids and families. Injuries tied to e-scooters and e-bikes have surged in recent years, and lawmakers are hoping this new legislation will help bring incident numbers down.

The new e-bike and e-scooter safety bill passed through the Illinois Senate unanimously, and now moves on to the House for approval.