CHICAGO (June 3, 2026) – Over the past few years, usage of electronic bikes (e-bikes) and scooters (e-scooters) has grown drastically, with eBikes International reporting a third of U.S. bike market value coming from e-bikes. Additionally, e-bike owners ride 340% more per day than the average traditional bike owner, Treehugger reports. It is clear that e-bikes are revolutionizing the way that we get around, but with an increase in usage comes an increase in danger.
Traditional bikes typically ride at around 10-15 mph, but high-power e-bikes can see speeds of 50 MPH, according to the Illinois Secretary of State website. Since current legislation allows for these vehicles to be ridden on the sidewalk, bike lane or street, these high speeds put pedestrians, riders, and other motorists at risk of injury when used.
A new bill, Senate Bill 3336 (SB 3336), looks to place safety regulations on “micromobility” transportation in Illinois, which would affect e-bikes, e-scooters, and e-skateboards. The bill recently passed the Senate with a unanimous vote, it then moved on to the Illinois House. The bill passed the House vote and now awaits a concurrence vote before being signed into law.
“Our roadways look very different than they did 5 years ago,” House sponsor Rep. Barbara Hernandez, D-Aurora told CBS Chicago.
The widely bipartisan bill looks to establish an important distinction between manual vehicles (i.e., bicycles), low-power electric vehicles (e-bikes with a max speed of under 28 mph), and higher-power electric vehicles (e-bikes with a max speed of over 28 mph).
Below is a summary of how the new law would affect riders of the following vehicles:
Low-power electric vehicles
Low-power e-bikes, which cannot exceed 28 mph, fall into one of three categories:
- Class 1: A low-speed electric bicycle equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling and that ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches a speed of 20 mph.
- Class 2: A low-speed electric bicycle equipped with a motor that may be used exclusively to propel the bicycle and that is not capable of providing assistance when the bicycle reaches a speed of 20 mph.
- Class 3: A low-speed electric bicycle equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling and that ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches a speed of 28 mph.
Under the new law, these classifications will come with different regulations concerning age. Class 1 and 2 bikes will require the operator to be 15 years of age or older, while Class 3 bikes will require an age of 16 or older to operate. For all these bikes, however, new legislation comes in the form of a restriction on riding these bikes on sidewalks. Highways, streets, and bike lanes all remain open for usage, unless otherwise noted.
The bill also looks to create a distinction for “electric micromobility devices.” These devices include electric scooters, skateboards, and unicycles. Riders of these devices will be prohibited from operating these vehicles at speeds of over 28 mph on roads and bike lanes. Additionally, these devices will be prohibited from being operated on both sidewalks and highways with speed limits of over 35 mph.
High-power electric vehicles
High-power e-bikes, which can exceed speeds of 28 mph, and other similar, powerful electric vehicles come with additional restrictions. While there previously was not legislation to govern usage of these vehicles separate from low-power electric devices, SB 3336 now reclassifies vehicles of this nature as “motor-driven cycles.”
Motor-driven cycles come with additional restrictions to their low-power counterparts. Owners of motor-driven cycles must be over 16 years old and have a valid driver’s license, as well as a title, registration, and insurance for the vehicle. Vehicles of this caliber must be driven exclusively on roads. Additionally, per SB 3336, all motor-driven cycles will be prohibited from operating on highways.
While these new regulations look to decrease the number of injuries in incidents involving electric vehicles, accidents and collisions can still happen. If you or a loved one has been injured by an electric vehicle, do not hesitate to reach out to Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard, P.C. for a free consultation on your case.
