Electric Bike Bill Advances | activetrans.org
SB 236, sponsored by Sen. Heather Steans (D-Chicago) would clarify Illinois law to state that cyclists on electric bikes that are operated at no more than 20 miles per hour shall have the same rights and responsibilities as all other cyclists.
This bill was prompted by some incidents with police telling cyclists they must get drivers licenses for electric bikes. The bill passed out of the Senate Transportation Committee and now proceeds to the full Senate.
Illinois General Assembly - Bill Status for SB0236
Bill Status of SB0236 96th General Assembly
Senate Sponsors
Sen. Heather Steans
Synopsis As Introduced
Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code.
Defines a low-speed electric bicycle as a 2 or 3-wheeled device with fully operable pedals and an electric motor of less than 750 watts (one horsepower), whose maximum speed on a paved level surface, when powered solely by such a motor while ridden by an operator who weighs 170 pounds, is less than 20 miles per hour.
Excludes low-speed electric bicycles from the definition of "motor vehicle".
Provides that a person may operate a low-speed electric bicycle only if the person has a valid current Illinois driver's license, regardless of classification, and the person is at least 16 years of age.
Prohibits operation of a low-speed electric bicycle at a speed greater than 20 miles per hour upon any highway, street, or roadway.
Prohibits operation of a low-speed electric bicycle on a sidewalk.
Provides that, except as otherwise provided, the provisions of the Article of the Code dealing with bicycles also apply to low-speed electric bicycles.
Senate Committee Amendment No. 1
Adds reference to:
625 ILCS 5/1-140.15 new
Replaces everything after the enacting clause with the original bill as introduced and makes the following changes.
Adds a definition for a "low-speed gas bicycle" and treats a low-speed gas bicycle the same as a low-speed electric bicycle in a provision regulating the use of low-speed bicycles and a provision excluding low-speed bicycles from the definition of a motor vehicle.
Removes the requirement that a person have a valid current Illinois driver's license to operate an electric bicycle.
And then there is this helmet law in the works for Motorcyclist which includes "motorized pedalcycle". I don't know if this will apply to the electric/gas bicycles that they are planning to exclude from the definition of "motor vehicle" above.
Illinois General Assembly - Bill Status for SB1351
Synopsis As Introduced
Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code to require every operator and passenger on a motorcycle, motor driven cycle, or motorized pedalcycle to wear a helmet that meter federal safety standards.
Senate Committee Amendment No. 1
Provides that the helmet must be properly fastened under the person's chin with a chin strap.
.
SB 236, sponsored by Sen. Heather Steans (D-Chicago) would clarify Illinois law to state that cyclists on electric bikes that are operated at no more than 20 miles per hour shall have the same rights and responsibilities as all other cyclists.
This bill was prompted by some incidents with police telling cyclists they must get drivers licenses for electric bikes. The bill passed out of the Senate Transportation Committee and now proceeds to the full Senate.
Illinois General Assembly - Bill Status for SB0236
Bill Status of SB0236 96th General Assembly
Senate Sponsors
Sen. Heather Steans
Synopsis As Introduced
Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code.
Defines a low-speed electric bicycle as a 2 or 3-wheeled device with fully operable pedals and an electric motor of less than 750 watts (one horsepower), whose maximum speed on a paved level surface, when powered solely by such a motor while ridden by an operator who weighs 170 pounds, is less than 20 miles per hour.
Excludes low-speed electric bicycles from the definition of "motor vehicle".
Provides that a person may operate a low-speed electric bicycle only if the person has a valid current Illinois driver's license, regardless of classification, and the person is at least 16 years of age.
Prohibits operation of a low-speed electric bicycle at a speed greater than 20 miles per hour upon any highway, street, or roadway.
Prohibits operation of a low-speed electric bicycle on a sidewalk.
Provides that, except as otherwise provided, the provisions of the Article of the Code dealing with bicycles also apply to low-speed electric bicycles.
Senate Committee Amendment No. 1
Adds reference to:
625 ILCS 5/1-140.15 new
Replaces everything after the enacting clause with the original bill as introduced and makes the following changes.
Adds a definition for a "low-speed gas bicycle" and treats a low-speed gas bicycle the same as a low-speed electric bicycle in a provision regulating the use of low-speed bicycles and a provision excluding low-speed bicycles from the definition of a motor vehicle.
Removes the requirement that a person have a valid current Illinois driver's license to operate an electric bicycle.
And then there is this helmet law in the works for Motorcyclist which includes "motorized pedalcycle". I don't know if this will apply to the electric/gas bicycles that they are planning to exclude from the definition of "motor vehicle" above.
Illinois General Assembly - Bill Status for SB1351
Synopsis As Introduced
Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code to require every operator and passenger on a motorcycle, motor driven cycle, or motorized pedalcycle to wear a helmet that meter federal safety standards.
Senate Committee Amendment No. 1
Provides that the helmet must be properly fastened under the person's chin with a chin strap.
.
