Amended scooter, e-bike bill heads to governor

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

(The Center Square) – The Illinois General Assembly has passed a bill to regulate e-bikes, scooters and other micromobility devices, but not before the legislation was adjusted due to potential issues with the state’s DUI laws.

During the final weekend of spring session, legislators in both the state Senate and House approved the measure setting age limits, speed limits, some insurance requirements and other mandates on operators of e-bikes, motorized scooters and other devices.

State Rep. Barbara Hernandez, D-Aurora, said a broad coalition asked for state regulation after injury reports surged across the country.

“First, it closes the gaps in current law by defining the regulation of devices like electric scooters, skateboards and unicycles under a single category, electric micromobility devices,” Hernandez said on Wednesday.

When asked by state Rep. Patrick Windhorst, R-Metropolis, on the House floor, Hernandez said the goal of the bill is safer regulation.

“By putting age limits, speed requirements, making sure that those that are of a higher speed there is insurance asked from individuals, and making sure that we know exactly where these devices can be,” Hernandez said.

The Aurora Democrat also explained a third amendment to the bill.

“It removes the low-speed e-bike and low-speed gas bikes from DUI violations, except when such bike is capable of being operated and is being operated above 28 miles per hour. In such circumstances, a bike will be considered a motor-driven cycle and is subject to DUI laws,” Hernandez said.

When Sen. Craig Wilcox, R-Woodstock, asked about the amendment in committee on Thursday, Brenda Glahn of the Illinois Secretary of State’s office said the bill might need to be cleaned up due to inconsistencies in the vehicle code.

“It’s confusing sometimes as to whether you can get a DUI versus an SSS, whether you can get a statutory summary suspension, whether you can get a zero tolerance, when you’re involved in a crash whether you can be asked to take a breath test,” Glahn said.

Glahn indicated there would be time to make adjustments before the bill is scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2027.

Lawmakers changed the bill language and placed it in Senate Bill 3484.

The amended measure regained bipartisan support, passed early Monday before session ended and next heads to the governor’s desk.

Last month, Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias said DMV fees for devices covered by the legislation would essentially be the same cost as motorcycles and other motorized vehicles. The cost of a new title and registration for a motorcycle is currently $206, with an annual registration renewal fee of $41.

Sean Reed contributed to this story.

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