New Illinois Law Sets Rules for E-Bikes and Scooters

I had a little scare leaving Woodfire tonight, and it had me thinking about how dangerous electric scooters and e-bikes can be when they're flying down sidewalks.

I was leaving Woodfire and trying to get out the front door when it suddenly jammed.  I'm pushing to get the door open, struggling with it for a minute, and finally manage to get it unstuck!

And as I get outside, a guy on an electric scooter comes flying past me on the sidewalk.  A burst of wind hit me, and nearly knocked me over.  He was going so fast, he had to be going at least 40mph.  If I had stepped out a second sooner, or if that door hadn't gotten stuck, I could have easily ended up directly in his path.

And that's what really got me thinking.

Sidewalks are places where people expect to be able to walk without worrying about getting hit by something moving at highway speeds.  You're looking for cars when you cross the street, watching where you're going and maybe checking your phone for a second.  You're not necessarily expecting someone to come barreling toward you on an electric scooter.

Under the new law signed by JB Pritzker in August that will take effect January 1st, 2027, riders will be prohibited from sidewalks statewide.

• Riders will face new age restrictions
• Certain higher-powered e-bikes capable of traveling faster than 28mph will require a driver's license, title, registration and insurance
• E-scooters will have a minimum rider age of 16

The new rules are intended to address safety concerns as these vehicles are becoming more common, particularly when they're sharing space with pedestrians.

Have you ever had a close-call with an e-bike or scooter before?