Electric (and gas) Bicycle Bill advances in Illinois!

A good friend of mine happens to be a states attorney in Mercer county. I have her looking into it for us. Should have a answer by Monday afternoon.
 
Yeah it looks like gas is going to get the brunt of this one "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 that looks like a drop in the limit speed to 20 which would be a real pita.

Once (IF) gas and electric bikes become legal, do you guys really think cops are going to be pointing radar guns at people on bicycles? I highly doubt it......

Warner
 
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Actually, Warner, I think that enforcing the speed limit is exactly what they ought to do.

For those of you who like over-twenty, I'm sorry. I don't like to go against the wishes of my friends.

But if these things are ridden fast, then over-regulation and (more likely) illegalization becomes inevitable. (and after all, it's not so hard to get a motorcycle. safer, too.)

These bikes should be ridden slowly.
 
Actually, Warner, I think that enforcing the speed limit is exactly what they ought to do.

For those of you who like over-twenty, I'm sorry. I don't like to go against the wishes of my friends.

But if these things are ridden fast, then over-regulation and (more likely) illegalization becomes inevitable. (and after all, it's not so hard to get a motorcycle. safer, too.)

These bikes should be ridden slowly.

EXACTLY!!!
 
Actually, Warner, I think that enforcing the speed limit is exactly what they ought to do.

For those of you who like over-twenty, I'm sorry. I don't like to go against the wishes of my friends.

But if these things are ridden fast, then over-regulation and (more likely) illegalization becomes inevitable. (and after all, it's not so hard to get a motorcycle. safer, too.)

These bikes should be ridden slowly.


To each his own, I suppose. If my bike was only capable of 20mph, it would hardly be usable to me. I certainly wouldn't bother riding it to work and back, 20 miles each way. If someone wants to keep their speed down to 20 or less, that's great...and perfectly fine with me. When they want to tell me that I have to do what they do, that's where I have a little problem. I don't believe that laws protect people...they only punish those who break them (when they are caught and properly charged). Common sense and good judgement are what protects people.

As far as making MAB's illegal....they already ARE illegal in Illinois. I've owned (and raced) several motorcycles and they are fine, but I had WAY more close calls (and 3 crashes, too) on motorcycles than I have on my 30mph bicycle, not to mention the cost of purchasing, maintaining, licensing, and insuring a motorcycle. The simplicity, efficiency, and total cost of ownership of the MAB is what attracted me.


Warner
 
Well, you make an excellent point about simplicity, efficency and total cost.
It does make these things very attractive.

But your trouble is not that people like me are going to try to tell you how fast to go. I advise only. I don't claim any right to order people around. The trouble is the people in Springfield (and Cook County or Chicago, for that matter) deciding that you shouldn't be able to ride that thing. (To quote the MountainMan). They really are a bit too eager to say NO! Especially since we don't have a whole lot of sympathy from the folks who are still addicted to the automobile.

That's what makes our position so precarious.

On the other hand, there are states like Arizona who have a more level-headed view of these things. That's at least a bit hopeful.

I definitely wish you the best of luck. If it is possible to make a bicycle safe at 35 mph, then I hope they at least have the sense to make a legal mechanism for registration. The problem is that they so often don't show the proper sense. But let's hope and lobby.
 
Please sign here Governor Quinn

Last Action
Date = 5/7/2009
Chamber = Senate
Action = Passed Both Houses

http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/Bil...0&DocTypeID=SB&LegId=40816&SessionID=76&GA=96

http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ful...s=0&DocTypeId=SB&DocNum=0236&GAID=10&Session=


Synopsis As Introduced
Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code.

The term "low-speed electric bicycle" has the same meaning ascribed to it by Section 38 of the Consumer Product Safety Act (15 U.S.C. Sec. 2085).

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 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.
 
Electric (and gas) Bicycle Bill in Illinois

Is there still a limit to 50cc's in this bill or are the only restrictions 1hp or less, 20 mph or less, no DL required? I'd like to put an old cast iron Briggs engine on a bike like we used to years ago. I believe they were 1 hp but slightly over 50cc 4 stroke engines. If I could keep the throttle under 20 I wonder if this would now be legal with this new bill?

C
 
This is looking good. If the final bill is the Senate version, then it seems that we will have a definite legal okay to operate these.

Good news!
 
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