Illinois Senate Passes E-Bike Bill to Regulate High-Speed Electric Bikes and Scooters

Illinois lawmakers have taken a major step toward safer streets with a new measure regulating high-speed e-bikes, e-motos, and electric micromobility devices.

The initiative, led by Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, aims to create statewide rules for electric vehicles capable of exceeding 28 miles per hour. The legislation responds to a dramatic rise in micromobility-related injuries. The new statewide rules require driver's licenses, registration, and insurance for devices exceeding 28 miles per hour and restrict all electric devices above that speed from roads, bike lanes, and sidewalks. By eliminating a patchwork of conflicting local ordinances, officials hope to protect riders and pedestrians alike.

The Senate approved the bill unanimously, and it now heads to the House. If passed, the law would take effect in January 2027, accompanied by extensive education and outreach efforts.

As these devices become faster, heavier and more powerful, our laws must keep pace to protect riders and the public, Giannoulias said. This initiative closes dangerous regulatory gaps, creates uniformity across Illinois communities and ensures riders understand the responsibilities that come with high-speed electric devices. We're replacing a confusing patchwork of local rules with clear statewide standards that prioritize safety.

Illinois is poised to modernize its approach to micromobility, as the Senate unanimously approved SB 3336, aimed at regulating high-speed electric bikes, scooters, and similar devices.

The measure, part of Secretary Alexi Giannoulias' Ride Safe, Ride Smart, Ride Ready initiative, addresses surging injuries and deaths by requiring licenses, registration, and insurance for e-bikes and e-motos exceeding 28 mph. Riders of these devices must be at least 16, while the minimum age for Class 1 and 2 e-bikes rises to 15.

Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias praised State Senator Ram Villivalam and Senate colleagues for the passage of SB 3336, which advanced unanimously with a 54-0 vote.

This legislation addresses the regulation of e-bikes and e-motos, requiring titles for newly purchased vehicles starting January 1, 2027. Purchases made before that date would be exempt from titling but must still be registered. A diverse coalition contributed input to the bill, including transportation organizations, law enforcement, education associations, and safety advocates.

The measure now heads to the Illinois House, where Representative Barbara Hernandez will serve as sponsor.

Micromobility is quickly transforming how Illinoisans get around and is now part of everyday life, but innovation without guardrails puts people at risk, Villivalam said. This legislation brings safety, accountability and common-sense protections to reflect todays reality and a new era of mobility.

This is exactly the kind of forward-looking legislation Illinois needs as new technology reshapes how people travel, Hernandez said. By setting clear statewide rules for higher-speed devices, we are protecting riders, reducing confusion for law enforcement and helping prevent avoidable tragedies before they happen.

The bill establishes specific requirements for different types of electric devices.

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. High-speed 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.

Illinois will maintain its current three-class e-bike structure, which covers pedal bicycles with electric motor assistance up to 28 mph. Under the proposal, those classifications would remain unchanged except for new age requirements that a rider on a Class 1 or Class 2 must be at least 15 years old.

E-bikes and e-motos purchased prior to January 1, 2027 would be exempt from the title requirement but must still be registered.

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, skateboards and 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 over 50 mph yet are not clearly addressed under existing law.

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.

Giannoulias credited State Sen. Ram Villivalam, Chair of the Senate Transportation Committee and sponsor of the legislation, while lauding members of the Senate for passing SB 3336 unanimously 54-0. He also thanked the wide-ranging group of stakeholders who provided input, including the Illinois Municipal League, Illinois High School and College Driver Education Association, Ride Illinois, Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police, ABATE, and Lurie Children's Hospital.