Illinois E-Bike and E-Scooter Sidewalk Ban Awaits Governor’s Signature

Last Updated on July 21, 2026 by Kristina

CHICAGO – July 21, 2026: Illinois is one signature away from establishing statewide rules that would keep electric bikes and electric scooters off sidewalks while setting new age, equipment, and operating requirements for several types of micromobility devices.

Senate Bill 3484 passed both chambers of the Illinois General Assembly and was sent to Governor JB Pritzker on June 30, 2026. As of July 21, the official bill status still lists the measure as awaiting action by the governor. If signed, the legislation would take effect January 1, 2027.

My complete Illinois e-bike law guide explains the rules currently in place, including e-bike classes, licensing, helmets, age restrictions, sidewalks, and local ordinances. You can also compare regulations nationwide in the state-by-state e-bike law guide or review how sidewalk access differs across the country in my guide to e-bike sidewalk laws.

Current status – July 21, 2026: SB 3484 has passed the Illinois House and Senate and was sent to Governor Pritzker on June 30. It has not yet been recorded as signed. The restrictions described below are proposed changes and are not yet the new statewide law.

How This Story Was Verified

I reviewed the official text and legislative history of Senate Bill 3484, information from the Illinois Secretary of State, and ABC7 Chicago’s July 20 reporting. This article clearly distinguishes the bill’s proposed changes from rules that are already in effect under current state and local law.

What Illinois SB 3484 Would Change

SB 3484 would create a statewide framework for low-speed e-bikes, e-scooters, electric skateboards, electric unicycles, e-motos, and other powered devices that do not always fit neatly into the state’s existing vehicle categories.

For most e-bike riders, the biggest changes would be a statewide sidewalk prohibition and new minimum rider ages.

Vehicle or device	Proposed minimum age	Where it could generally operate	Main restriction
Class 1 e-bike	15	Roads, streets, bike lanes, and permitted bicycle paths	No sidewalk riding
Class 2 e-bike	15	Roads, streets, bike lanes, and permitted bicycle paths	No sidewalk riding
Class 3 e-bike	16	Roads, streets, bike lanes, and permitted bicycle paths	No sidewalk riding
Electric scooter, skateboard, or unicycle covered as an electric micromobility device	16	Roads, streets, bike lanes, and permitted bicycle paths, subject to additional limits	No sidewalk riding
Electric bicycle treated as a motor-driven cycle	Valid driver’s license required	Public roads where motor-driven cycles are legally permitted	No sidewalks, bike lanes, bicycle paths, shared-use paths, or bicycle trails

The Proposed Statewide Sidewalk Ban

The enrolled bill says that a person may not operate a low-speed electric bicycle on a sidewalk. That restriction would apply to all three recognized e-bike classes:

• Class 1: Pedal assistance that stops at 20 mph.
• Class 2: A throttle or other motor-powered operation that stops providing assistance at 20 mph.
• Class 3: Pedal assistance that stops at 28 mph.

The bill contains a separate sidewalk prohibition for electric micromobility devices, a category that includes electric scooters, electric skateboards, and electric unicycles. These devices could generally use streets, bike lanes, and bicycle paths, but they could not be operated on sidewalks or interstate highways.

They would also be prohibited on roads with speed limits above 35 mph unless a designated bicycle lane is available.

Why Illinois Officials Want One Statewide Rule

Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias has described sidewalk riding as a statewide concern rather than a problem limited to downtown Chicago. His office says communities currently face an inconsistent mix of rules as electric scooters, traditional e-bikes, and motorcycle-like electric devices become more common.

The Secretary of State’s office says the legislation is intended to protect pedestrians while giving riders, parents, retailers, and law enforcement clearer definitions.

The bill would replace much of the existing local variation with statewide rules. Cities, counties, and other local governments generally could not create separate regulations for low-speed e-bikes, electric micromobility devices, or motor-driven cycles except where the legislation specifically preserves local or agency authority.

ABC7 Chicago reported that Chicago police issued 57 citations through the end of June 2026 for people riding bicycles and scooters, including e-bikes and e-scooters, on city sidewalks. That was reportedly 73% fewer citations than during the same period in 2025.

The station also reported nine injury reports during 2026, including at least three involving serious injuries. Chicago already allows officers to cite riders under existing city rules, even though SB 3484 has not taken effect.

New Age Requirements for E-Bike Riders

Illinois currently permits Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes without the statewide age minimum proposed in SB 3484. The bill would require riders to be at least:

• 15 years old to operate a Class 1 e-bike.
• 15 years old to operate a Class 2 e-bike.
• 16 years old to operate a Class 3 e-bike.
• 16 years old to operate an electric micromobility device such as a covered e-scooter, electric skateboard, or electric unicycle.

The bill would also establish passenger rules. A rider under 18 generally could not carry a passenger on a low-speed e-bike unless the passenger is the rider’s sibling, stepsibling, child, or stepchild, and the bicycle must have been manufactured to carry a passenger.

What Happens to High-Powered E-Bikes and E-Motos?

One of the most important parts of SB 3484 is its attempt to distinguish a legal low-speed e-bike from a faster electric vehicle that may look like a bicycle but performs more like a motorcycle.

Under the enrolled bill, an electric bicycle that does not meet Illinois’ low-speed e-bike definition would be treated as a motor-driven cycle. This includes electric bicycles that fall outside the three-class definition because of their motor power, equipment, or assisted-speed capability.

A person operating a motor-driven cycle would need a valid driver’s license, and the vehicle would be subject to mandatory insurance and applicable equipment requirements. A motor-driven cycle operated on a public highway would also need to be titled and registered.

Vehicles purchased before January 1, 2027, would not automatically have to be titled solely because they are owned, but they would still need a title and registration before being operated on a public highway.

Motor-driven cycles would be prohibited from sidewalks, bicycle lanes, bicycle paths, shared-use paths, off-road bicycle trails, and other bicycle-specific facilities. They would generally be limited to public roads where motor-driven cycles are legally permitted.

The bill would also prohibit retailers, wholesalers, distributors, and manufacturers from marketing, advertising, labeling, or offering a motor-driven cycle in a way that could reasonably cause a buyer to believe it is a less-regulated vehicle.

Each falsely marketed or mislabeled vehicle could carry a civil penalty of up to $10,000.

Would Local Governments Still Control Bike-Path Access?

SB 3484 would preempt many separate city and county regulations for low-speed e-bikes, electric micromobility devices, and motor-driven cycles. However, it would not guarantee access to every trail, park, or bicycle path.

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources could regulate low-speed e-bikes on property it owns, manages, or leases. Park districts, forest preserve districts, conservation districts, and transit districts could also regulate their bicycle paths through an ordinance or resolution.

That means a Class 1 e-bike might be legal on roads statewide while still being restricted on a particular forest preserve path, transit trail, or park property. Riders should continue checking signs and the rules of the agency managing the specific path.

Accessibility Accommodations Remain Protected

The bill states that its provisions cannot be interpreted to prohibit the use of, or reasonable accommodation for, personal mobility devices used by people with mobility disabilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

This is an important distinction. A general sidewalk restriction for recreational or transportation e-bikes should not be confused with the legal accommodation of a qualifying mobility device.

What Illinois Riders Should Do Now

SB 3484 has not yet taken effect. Until its status changes, riders must follow current state law along with the rules of the city, park district, trail manager, campus, or property where they are riding.

• Check whether your city currently prohibits bicycle or scooter riding on sidewalks.
• Use a bike lane when one is safely available.
• Check the permanent class, motor wattage, and assisted-speed label on your e-bike.
• Do not assume a high-powered e-moto is legally treated as an ordinary e-bike.
• Confirm the rules for a specific park, trail, forest preserve, or transit path.
• Watch for an official signature, veto, amendment, or other update before January 1, 2027.

My Take

I agree with the basic idea that sidewalks should remain safe spaces for pedestrians. A person walking, using a wheelchair, pushing a stroller, or stepping out of a business should not have to dodge a 20 or 28 mph electric vehicle.

At the same time, simply telling riders to leave the sidewalk does not solve the entire safety problem. Many people use a sidewalk because the nearby road feels dangerous and there is no protected bike lane. A statewide rule should be paired with better bicycle infrastructure, visible signs, rider education, and practical guidance about what to do when a bike lane suddenly ends.

I also think Illinois is right to draw a clearer line between a legal low-speed e-bike and an e-moto capable of motorcycle-like speed. Buyers should be able to trust the label on a vehicle, and parents should not discover after a purchase that a product marketed as an e-bike actually requires a license, registration, and insurance.

My biggest concern will be how the law is explained and enforced. Education and warnings should play a meaningful role during the transition, especially for riders who have been following a different local rule. Enforcement should focus on dangerous behavior, excessive speed, and vehicles that are deliberately modified or falsely marketed – not create confusion for responsible riders trying to make a safe trip.

Keeping fast electric devices off sidewalks is sensible. Giving riders a connected and reasonably safe place to go instead is just as important.

For more news on electric bikes click here

External Sources

• Illinois General Assembly – SB 3484 status and legislative history
• Illinois General Assembly – enrolled text of SB 3484
• Illinois Secretary of State – micromobility safety framework announcement
• ABC7 Chicago – reporting on sidewalk riding, enforcement, and injuries