625 ILCS 5/11-1517

in effect

(625 ILCS 5/11-1517) (Text of Section before amendment by P.A. 104-854) Sec. 11-1517. Low-speed electric bicycles. (a) Except as otherwise provided in this Section, the provisions of this Chapter that apply to bicycles also apply to low-speed electric bicycles. (b) Each low-speed electric bicycle operating in this State shall comply with equipment and manufacturing requirements adopted by the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission under 16 CFR 1512. Each Class 3 low-speed electric bicycle shall be equipped with a speedometer that displays the speed the bicycle is traveling in miles per hour. (c) Beginning on or after January 1, 2018, every manufacturer and distributor of low-speed electric bicycles shall apply a label that is permanently affixed to the bicycle in a prominent location. The label shall contain, in Arial font in at least 9-point type: (1) a classification number for the bicycle that corresponds with a class under Section 1-140.10 of this Code; (2) the bicycle's top assisted speed; and (3) the bicycle's motor wattage. No person shall knowingly tamper or modify the speed capability or engagement of a low-speed electric bicycle without replacing the label required under this subsection (c). (d) A Class 2 low-speed electric bicycle shall operate in a manner so that the electric motor is disengaged or ceases to function when the brakes are applied. A Class 1 low-speed electric bicycle and a Class 3 low-speed electric bicycle shall operate in a manner so that the electric motor is disengaged or ceases to function when the rider stops pedaling. (e) A person may operate a low-speed electric bicycle upon any highway, street, or roadway authorized for use by bicycles, including, but not limited to, bicycle lanes. (f) A person may operate a low-speed electric bicycle upon any bicycle path unless the municipality, county, or local authority with jurisdiction prohibits the use of low-speed electric bicycles or a specific class of low-speed electric bicycles on that path. (g) A person may not operate a low-speed electric bicycle on a sidewalk. (h) A person may operate a Class 3 low-speed electric bicycle only if he or she is 16 years of age or older. A person who is less than 16 years of age may ride as a passenger on a Class 3 low-speed electric bicycle that is designed to accommodate passengers. (Source: P.A. 100-209, eff. 1-1-18.) (Text of Section after amendment by P.A. 104-854) Sec. 11-1517. Low-speed electric bicycles. (a) Except as otherwise provided in this Section, the provisions of this Chapter that apply to bicycles also apply to low-speed electric bicycles. (b) Each low-speed electric bicycle operating in this State shall comply with equipment and manufacturing requirements adopted by the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission under 16 CFR 1512. Each Class 3 low-speed electric bicycle shall be equipped with a speedometer that displays the speed the bicycle is traveling in miles per hour. (c) Beginning on or after January 1, 2018, every manufacturer and distributor of low-speed electric bicycles shall apply a label that is permanently affixed to the bicycle in a prominent location. The label shall contain, in Arial font in at least 9-point type: (1) a classification number for the bicycle that corresponds with a class under Section 1-140.10 of this Code; (2) the bicycle's top assisted speed; and (3) the bicycle's motor wattage. No person shall knowingly tamper or modify the speed capability or engagement of a low-speed electric bicycle without replacing the label required under this subsection (c). (d) A Class 2 low-speed electric bicycle shall operate in a manner so that the electric motor is disengaged or ceases to function when the brakes are applied. A Class 1 low-speed electric bicycle and a Class 3 low-speed electric bicycle shall operate in a manner so that the electric motor is disengaged or ceases to function when the rider stops pedaling. (e) A person may operate a low-speed electric bicycle upon any highway, street, or roadway authorized for use by bicycles, including, but not limited to, bicycle lanes. (f) A person may operate a low-speed electric bicycle upon any bicycle path unless the State agency with jurisdiction prohibits the use of low-speed electric bicycles or a specific class of low-speed electric bicycles on that path. The Department of Natural Resources is authorized to adopt administrative rules for the regulation of low-speed electric bicycles on any and all properties owned, managed, or leased by the Department of Natural Resources. Notwithstanding subsection (i), park districts, forest preserve districts, conservation districts, and transit districts may, by ordinance or resolution, regulate the use of low-speed electric bicycles upon any bicycle path under its jurisdiction. (g) A person may not operate a low-speed electric bicycle on a sidewalk. (h) A person may operate a Class 1 or Class 2 low-speed electric bicycle only if the person is 15 years of age or older. A person may operate a Class 3 low-speed electric bicycle only if the person is 16 years of age or older. A person who is less than 16 years of age may ride as a passenger on a Class 3 low-speed electric bicycle that is designed to accommodate passengers. A low-speed electric bicycle that is manufactured to accommodate passengers may not be operated by a person under the age of 18 with a passenger unless the passenger is a sibling, stepsibling, child, or stepchild of the operator. (i) Except as specifically authorized in this Section, no unit of local government, including a home rule unit, may regulate low-speed electric bicycles. This subsection (i) is a denial and limitation of home rule powers and functions under subsection (h) of Section 6 of Article VII of the Illinois Constitution, and is an exercise of exclusive State power which may not be exercised concurrently by a home rule unit. (Source: P.A. 104-854, eff. 1-1-27.)

Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs.aspFetched: 10/17/2026