SPRINGFIELD – Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias today announced that Governor JB Pritzker has signed landmark legislation establishing Illinois’ first comprehensive, statewide safety standards for high-speed e-bikes, e-motos and other electric micromobility devices.
The new law closes regulatory safety gaps, establishes long-overdue rules for rapidly evolving technology and equips communities with consistent rules to better protect riders, pedestrians and motorists.
With the Governor’s signature, Illinois now has uniform, statewide standards governing high-speed micromobility devices, replacing a patchwork of local ordinances and closing regulatory gaps that left some of the fastest and most powerful devices largely unregulated. The law takes effect January 1, 2027.
“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. “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.”
Giannoulias thanked Governor JB Pritzker for signing the legislation, along with State Sen. Ram Villivalam and State Rep. Barbara Hernandez for sponsoring the measure. He also recognized the broad coalition of stakeholders who helped shape the measure, including the Illinois Municipal League, Illinois High School and College Driver Education Association, Ride Illinois, the Active Transportation Alliance, Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police, ABATE and Lurie Children’s Hospital.
“Transportation technology will continue to evolve, and Illinois needs a framework that protects people without standing in the way of innovation,” Villivalam said. “This legislation replaces a patchwork of local approaches with statewide standards, giving municipalities and law enforcement a more consistent system to work with. I thank Secretary Giannoulias for making this issue a priority and bringing stakeholders together to get this done.”
“Parents and young riders deserve to know what they are operating and what responsibilities come with it,” Hernandez said. “This law provides that clarity while establishing commonsense standards designed to prevent dangerous situations. I’m proud to have worked with Secretary Giannoulias and my colleagues to make Illinois roads safer for everyone.”
Prior to this law, Illinois had no statewide regulations governing micromobility devices capable of exceeding 28 miles per hour, even as some devices reached speeds of more than 70 miles per hour. At the same time, micromobility-related injuries and fatalities nationwide surged 300 percent between 2019 and 2022, underscoring the need for stronger safety standards and oversight.
The new law draws a clear distinction between bicycles and lower-speed e-bikes and higher-powered e-bikes, which are often more like motorcycles. Illinois will maintain its existing three-class e-bike structure, which covers pedal bicycles with electric motors up to 750 watts that travel between 20 and 28 mph – a framework already used in 46 other states.
The new law will:
- Require riders of e-bikes and e-motos capable of traveling over 28 mph to have a driver’s license, title, registration and insurance.
- Prohibit e-bikes and micromobility devices such as e-scooters, electric skateboards and electric unicycles from operating on sidewalks and prohibit them from operating over 28 mph on roads, bike lanes and bike paths.
- Establish minimum age requirements for riders of electric micromobility devices, including requiring riders of Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes (capable of traveling up to 20 mph) to be at least 15 years old and riders of Class 3 e-bikes and other covered electric micromobility devices to be at least 16 years old.
- Establish statewide consistency by replacing the current patchwork of local ordinances that vary widely from one municipality to another and provide police with the tools they need to enforce the law.
To prepare Illinoisans for the law’s implementation, the Secretary of State’s Ride Safe, Ride Smart, Ride Ready campaign will provide public awareness efforts for parents, riders and retailers, updated driver education materials, law enforcement guidance and partnerships with schools and municipalities to promote responsible micromobility use.
For more information and to view the Secretary of State’s micromobility safety resources, visit ilsos.gov/oneroad.
Support for Senate Bill 3484:
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“Municipal leaders have been responding in real time as new electric devices appear on local streets, sidewalks and bike paths. A statewide framework gives communities greater consistency while providing local officials and law enforcement with clearer guidance. We appreciate the collaborative approach behind this legislation and look forward to working with communities throughout Illinois as the new standards take effect.”
- Brad Cole, CEO of the Illinois Municipal League (IML)
“Clear and consistent laws give law enforcement a stronger foundation to keep communities safe. This legislation will help officers distinguish between different types of electric devices, educate riders about their responsibilities and address unsafe behavior before it leads to a serious crash. We look forward to working with communities as these new standards take effect.”
- Eric Barden, President of the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police (ILACP)
“Education is one of the most important tools we have to prepare young people for a changing transportation environment. As e-bikes and other electric devices become more common, students need to understand how to use them safely and how to share the road with them as future drivers. We look forward to incorporating these lessons into driver education and helping young people develop safe habits early.”
- Jennifer Brown, Illinois High School and College Driver Education Association President
“As physicians caring for children and adolescents, we see firsthand the serious injuries that can result from crashes involving increasingly fast and powerful electric devices. These injuries are preventable, and effective measures should begin with giving children and families the knowledge and protections they need to use these devices responsibly. We welcome measures that pair sensible standards with education to help make our communities safer.”
- Dr. Kristine Cieslak, Section Chief, Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Lurie Children's at Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital
- Co-Director of Advocacy, Emergency Medicine, Lurie Children’s Hospital
“SB 3484 balances access to micromobility while retaining a focus on public safety. It sets a clear distinction between legal classes of low-speed e-bikes and high-speed micromobility devices. Consistent rules applicable to micromobility devices in Illinois communities of all sizes is key to sensible integration. Ride Illinois commends Secretary Giannoulias for his efforts and is pleased to have served as a key partner during the development of this forward-thinking legislation.”
- Dave Simmons, Executive Director of Ride Illinois
“E-bikes and other micromobility devices can give Illinoisans more ways to get around while reducing reliance on cars and easing traffic on our streets. As these options continue to grow, thoughtful implementation is essential. We support standards that encourage responsible use while ensuring people walking, biking and using other forms of active transportation can safely share our streets and public spaces.”
- Amy Rynell, Executive Director of the Active Transportation Alliance
“As electric devices become faster and more powerful, the law needs to recognize the difference between a bicycle and a vehicle that operates more like a motorcycle. Clear classifications help riders understand the responsibilities that come with the vehicle they choose to operate. These standards will reduce confusion and help everyone better understand where these devices belong on the road.”
- Josh Witkowski, A Brotherhood Aimed Toward Education (ABATE) of Illinois
Alexi Giannoulias was sworn into office as Illinois’ 38th Secretary of State on January 9, 2023. In this capacity, he also serves as the State Librarian and State Archivist. Giannoulias is committed to transforming the office’s antiquated IT infrastructure to modernize operations and improve customer service for all Illinoisans.
