Chicagoans have probably noticed an enormous increase in electric bicycles (“e-bikes”) and motorized scooter zipping through the city the last few years. Unfortunately this has led to recent accidents, including one on the lakefront path that caused serious injuries.
Due to the increase in congestion on the lakefront path, sidewalks and parks, this has raised the alarm for state lawmakers to step in and create legislation that will hopefully prevent accident moving forward.
According to press releases and NBC Chicago, Illinois Governor Pritzker signed new legislation regulating e-bikes and scooters that will go into effect on January 1, 2027. The new law, Senate Bill 3484, will require owners of “high-speed” e-bikes( those with electric motors that can reach speeds above 28 mph — to have a driver’s license, liability insurance, title and to register the bike with the state. It also stipulates that “high-speed” e-bikes can only be ridden on roads, meaning they aren’t allowed in the bike lane, on bike paths or on sidewalks.
The legislation also classifies electrically powered skateboards, unicycles and scooters (both high-speed and low-speed) that operate up to 28 mph as an “electric micromobility device” and establishes that they are considered motor vehicles. However, they are exempt from the license, insurance, title and registration typically required for vehicles in Illinois. Riders of those devices must be at least 16 years old and can use them in bike lanes and on paths, roads with speed limits up to 35 mph or roads with higher speed limits if it has a bike lane.
I am happy that this new legislation was created as these high speed bikes can make walking paths and sidewalks incredibly dangerous for pedestrians. Should an e-bike crash into a pedestrian and cause serious injuries, then there will now be insurance protection to compensate those injuries. This should also make walking paths and sidewalks safer for pedestrian.
If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a Chicago traffic accident or Chicago bicycle or Chicago e-bike accident, then call the Chicago personal injury attorneys at The Bryant Law Group for a free legal consultation at 312-614-1076 or go directly to the firm’s website at www.blgchicago.com.