E-Bikes in Illinois – What are theRules?

E-bike popularity has risen to the point they are ubiquitous these days and the Illinois legislature intends to catch up to them in 2027. In August 2026, Governor Pritzker signed Senate Bill 3484 into law as Public Act 104-0854. The new rules take effect January 1, 2027. They add age minimums and they draw a hard line between true e-bikes and the faster, more powerful versions sold as e-bikes but are really akin to electric motorcycles.

So what exactly are the rules surrounding e-bikes now and in 2027?

Under 625 ILCS 5/1-140.10, a "low-speed electric bicycle" must have fully operable pedals

and an electric motor of less than 750 watts.

Manufacturers must put a permanent label on each e-bike showing its class, top assisted

speed, and motor wattage.

Current Rules: A compliant e-bike is treated as a bicycle. Since January 1, 2026, the Vehicle Code's definition of "bicycle" expressly includes low-speed e-bikes (625 ILCS 5/1-106, as amended by P.A. 104-141). In practice, that means:

• No driver’s license or insurance is required

• You can ride on streets, bike lanes, and bike paths (unless they have specific restrictions

• for e-bikes)

• You CAN’T ride on a sidewalk

• Only a “Class 3” e-bike has an age restriction of at least 16 years of age

What Changes Appear to be Coming

New Age Restrictions: Riders must be at least 15 to operate a Class 1 or Class 2 e-bike, and at least 16 to operate a Class 3. A rider under 18 may not carry a passenger unless the passenger is the rider's sibling, stepsibling, child, or stepchild. Parents should know: the statute makes it unlawful for a parent or guardian to authorize or knowingly permit a child to violate these rules (625 ILCS 5/11-1501(b)).

E-Bikes vs. E-Motos

Certain bikes carry 1,000 to 3,000-watt motors and can reach 30 to 40 mph. They have pedals and look like bicycles, but they are not low-speed e-bikes. Under the new law, any electric bicycle that does not meet the low-speed e-bike definition is a "motor driven cycle" the same category as a small motorcycle.

Operating a motor driven cycle comes with motor-vehicle obligations (625 ILCS 5/11-1403.4) such as licensing, insurance, title and registration, and specific equipment guidelines.

What about Scooters?

The law creates a new category called "electric micromobility devices" which covers electric scooters, skateboards, and unicycles that travel up to 28 mph. Under the new rules, they are treated similar to bicycles- riders must be at least 16 and keep to low speed limit streets and/or designated bike lanes. No license, insurance, title or registration required.

There Could be More Changes

Other e-bike bills were introduced in Springfield this session but have not become law. They include a proposal to require a driver's license to ride any e-bike on a public road (HB 4158) and a proposal to remove e-bikes from the definition of "bicycle" altogether (HB 4159).