(The Center Square) – A new law creating registration, licensure, insurance and age requirements to use some e-bikes, scooters, and other motor-driven personal vehicles was signed into law this week, as the number of deaths and serious injuries involving the vehicles have climbed across the state.
State Sen. Darby Hills, R-Lake Zurich, who co-sponsored the bipartisan legislation, explained why she brought the law forward on The States by The Center Square.
“Mayors and law enforcement were coming to me from all over the district asking for help with this,” Hills said. “I've had numerous deaths in my district with respect to these high-powered vehicles, e-bikes, e-scooters. And it's very very scary. Many accidents and we needed to address this immediately.”
Vehicles that fall under the purview of the new law include high speed e-bikes, e-scooters, and any other motor-powered devices primarily used for transportation and that move faster than 28 mph.
Riders will be allowed to operate the new class of higher speed micro-mobility devices on paths, in bike lanes, in bike lanes on roads with speed limits above 35 mph and directly on roads with speed limits up to 35 mph.
“Those are the e-bikes, e-scooters that will need to have a license, they will have to have a registration, they will have to have insurance, and they will be able to be regulated under the Illinois Vehicle Code,” Hills said. “So, law enforcement will be able to make sure that they're safe on the roads.”
Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, a proponent of the law while it was before the General Assembly, said there’s been a rapid expansion of use of the devices, bringing accessibility to transportation, but there’s also been downsides.
“That growth has also brought serious safety challenges, including a dramatic rise in injuries and deaths involving both riders and pedestrians. So, beginning January 1st, Illinois will finally have one clear statewide framework replacing the chaos of a patchwork of rules,” Giannoulias said.
Giannoulias previously told The Center Square DMV fees for the vehicles would be the same cost as motorcycles and similar vehicles. The cost of a new title and registration for a motorcycle is currently $206, with an annual registration renewal fee of $41.
Existing regulations for low-powered motorized vehicles will not be changed, such as pedal-assisted bikes, like Chicago’s Divvy bikes, as well as non-pedal-assist that travel 20 mph or less.
The law excludes toy vehicles and mobility assistance devices.
The law was the final measure awaiting Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s signature after being passed by the General Assembly this spring.
The law takes effect Jan. 1, with all newly purchased vehicles then or after required to register and obtain a title. For any currently owned or purchased before Jan. 1, titles and registration won’t be required unless the owner seeks to operate it on a public highway.
