Illinois E-Bike Laws
Illinois uses the three-class system for low-speed electric bicycles (625 ILCS 5/1-140.10): Class 1 pedal-assist to 20 mph, Class 2 throttle to 20 mph, Class 3 pedal-assist to 28 mph. Only a person 16 or older may operate a Class 3 e-bike; younger riders may be passengers on one built for passengers. All classes may be ridden on any bicycle path unless the local authority with jurisdiction prohibits that class, and no low-speed electric bicycle may be operated on a sidewalk (625 ILCS 5/11-1517). The Illinois Vehicle Code sets no statewide helmet requirement for e-bike riders.
Illinois regulates low-speed electric bicycles under the three-class system (625 ILCS 5/1-140.10): Class 1 provides motor assistance only while the rider is pedaling, ceasing at 20 mph; Class 2 has a motor that may be used exclusively to propel the bicycle, incapable of assistance above 20 mph; Class 3 provides assistance only while pedaling, ceasing at 28 mph. The statute provides that a low-speed electric bicycle 'is not a moped or a motor driven cycle', and the Vehicle Code's definition of 'motor vehicle' (625 ILCS 5/1-146) expressly excludes low-speed electric bicycles, so motor-vehicle registration and driver's-license requirements do not apply. Under 625 ILCS 5/11-1517, a low-speed electric bicycle may be operated on any bicycle path unless the municipality, county, or local authority with jurisdiction prohibits low-speed electric bicycles or a specific class on that path — but a low-speed electric bicycle may NOT be operated on a sidewalk. Only a person 16 years of age or older may operate a Class 3 low-speed electric bicycle; a person under 16 may ride as a passenger on a Class 3 e-bike designed to accommodate passengers. The Vehicle Code provisions governing low-speed electric bicycles set no statewide helmet requirement — check local ordinances. Electric scooter rules in Illinois are set locally; Chicago operates a regulated scooter-share program with its own rules.