SPRINGFIELD – Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias’ comprehensive micromobility safety legislation passed the Illinois General Assembly and now awaits Governor JB Pritzker’s signature, bringing Illinois one step away from establishing the state’s first comprehensive framework to regulate dangerous high-speed e-bikes, e-motos and other powerful electric transportation devices operating on roads, bike lanes, bike paths and sidewalks.
Senate Bill 3484 is the cornerstone of Giannoulias’ Ride Safe, Ride Smart, Ride Ready campaign – a first-of-its-kind statewide effort to address the rapid rise of electric mobility devices through education, training, enforcement and modernized safety standards. As increasingly powerful e-bikes, e-motos and other devices become more common on Illinois streets and trails, the campaign seeks to prevent crashes before they happen by equipping riders, parents, motorists and communities with the tools, information and regulations needed to safely share the road. The initiative comes as micromobility-related injuries and fatalities nationwide surged 300 percent between 2019 and 2022.
“This legislation brings clarity, accountability and common-sense protections to our roads, sidewalks, bike paths and bike lanes while ensuring Illinois keeps pace with rapidly evolving transportation technology,” Giannoulias said. “By passing this bill, we are helping prevent serious injuries, protecting pedestrians and riders, and creating uniform statewide standards that prioritize public safety.”
The initiative focuses on higher-powered, higher-speed devices that fall outside current state definitions or remain largely unregulated, including certain e-bikes, e-motos and electric scooters, electric skateboards and electric unicycles. 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 highway speeds of over 75 mph.
Giannoulias thanked State Sen. Ram Villivalam (8th District – Chicago), Chair of the Senate Transportation Committee and Senate sponsor of the legislation, and State Rep. Barbara Hernandez (50th District – Aurora), the House sponsor, for moving the bill through the General Assembly. He also thanked the wide-ranging group of stakeholders who provided input, including: the Illinois Municipal League (IML), 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.
“As transportation technology continues to evolve, our laws must evolve with it. This legislation establishes clear, statewide safety standards for high-speed micromobility devices while preserving access to traditional e-bikes that many Illinoisans rely on every day,” Villivalam said. “By creating consistent rules across Illinois, we are helping make our roads, bike paths and communities safer for everyone.”
“High-speed e-bikes, e-motos and other electric devices are becoming increasingly common in our communities, but Illinois law has not kept pace with this rapidly changing technology,” Hernandez said. “This legislation brings clarity for riders, parents and law enforcement while creating common-sense protections that will help prevent serious injuries and improve safety in communities across our state.”
Illinois will maintain its current three-class e-bike structure, which covers pedal bicycles with electric motors up to 750 watts that travel 20-28 mph – a framework already used in 46 other states. Under the proposal, those classifications would remain unchanged except for new age requirements that a rider on a Class 1 or Class 2 e-bike must be at least 15 years old.
Under the legislative framework:
- Riders of e-bikes and e-motos capable of traveling over 28 mph would be required to have a driver’s license, title, registration and insurance.
- Micromobility devices such as e-scooters, electric skateboards and electric unicycles would be prohibited from operating over 28 mph on roads, bike lanes, bike paths and sidewalks. In addition, riders of any electric micromobility device must be at least 16 years old.
- The legislation establishes statewide consistency, replacing the current patchwork of local ordinances that vary widely from one municipality to another.
If signed into law, the bill would take effect on January 1, 2027. E-bikes and e-motos purchased prior to that date would be exempt from the title requirement but would require title and registration to be operated on Illinois roads.
Along with the legislation, the Ride Safe, Ride Smart, Ride Ready campaign will deliver:
- Statewide public awareness outreach for parents, riders and retailers,
- Updated driver education materials focused on sharing the road safely,
- Law enforcement guidance and community safety partnerships, and
- Outreach to schools and municipalities on responsible micromobility use.
Senate Bill 3484 was approved with bipartisan support in both the House and Senate and will be sent to Governor JB Pritzker’ for consideration.
The initiative is part of the Secretary of State’s broader effort to modernize transportation safety laws and respond proactively to emerging technologies before preventable injuries and fatalities continue to rise.
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View the office's micromobility chart outlining current law and changes under SB3484.
