Illinois e-bike regulations
Illinois regulates low-speed electric bicycles under the Illinois Vehicle Code (625 ILCS 5), which adopts the federal three-class e-bike system (1-140.10) and exempts compliant low-speed electric bicycles from registration, titling, and driver's license requirements while applying most bicycle rules of the road to them (11-1517).
Overview
Illinois regulates electric bicycles under its state vehicle code. Statewide statutes below set the baseline for every county, city and school district in Illinois. Local governments may adopt stricter rules for trails, sidewalks, beaches and campus property.
What riders should know
- Confirm your bike's class (1, 2 or 3) — most rules key off class.
- Helmet and minimum age rules often differ by class and by locality.
- Trail, path and sidewalk access is frequently set at the county or city level.
Illinois statutes
Low-speed electric bicycle - definition and classification
625 ILCS 5/1-140.10
Defines 'low-speed electric bicycle' as a bicycle with fully operable pedals and an electric motor under 750 watts, classified into Class 1, 2, and 3 based on motor engagement and top assisted speed.
Sec. 1-140.10. Low-speed electric bicycle. A bicycle equipped with fully operable pedals and an electric motor of less than 750 watts that meets the requirements of one of the following classes: (a) Class 1 low-speed electric bicycle means a low-speed electric bicycle equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling and that ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 20 miles per hour; (b) Class 2 low-speed electric bicycle means a low-speed electric bicycle equipped with a motor that may be used exclusively to propel the bicycle and that is not capable of providing assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 20 miles per hour; (c) Class 3 low-speed electric bicycle means a low-speed electric bicycle equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling and that ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 28 miles per hour.Illinois General Assembly - ILCSLow-speed electric bicycles - operation rules
625 ILCS 5/11-1517
Applies bicycle rules of the road to low-speed electric bicycles, requires compliance with CPSC equipment/manufacturing standards, sets minimum age and helmet requirements for Class 3 riders, and restricts operation on certain paths.
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 for low-speed electric bicycles. Additional provisions address minimum operating age, helmet requirements for Class 3 electric bicycle operators and passengers under 18, and authority of local authorities to regulate the time, place, and manner of operation on paths and trails.Illinois General Assembly - ILCS
Illinois government links
Last verified 2026-09-07
Illinois meeting calendar (state, county & city)
September 2026
Showing Tue, Sep 1, 2026 — tap the day again for the whole month
Special Call Meeting to Address Election Funding
DuPage County Board · County commission
Tue, Sep 1, 2026 · 08:30
Special call meeting regarding election postage/printing funding.
Illinois meetings on e-bikes
No e-bike meetings recorded for this area yet.
Federal delegation
Dick Durbin
U.S. Senator • Democratic
Tammy Duckworth
U.S. Senator • Democratic
State officials
JB Pritzker
Governor of Illinois • Democratic
207 State House, Springfield, IL 62706
Gia Biagi
Secretary of Transportation, Illinois Department of Transportation
Ram Villivalam
Illinois State Senator, Chair of Senate Transportation Committee • District 8 • Democratic