E-Bike Laws in Illinois

No driver license is required for operation as a low-speed electric bicycle. These answers apply only to a device that meets Illinois's low-speed electric bicycle definition. Beginning January 1, 2027, Public Act 104-0854 treats an electric bicycle outside that definition as a motor driven cycle for Illinois Vehicle Code purposes, so any device outside the reviewed definition needs separate classification review.

No state motor-vehicle registration or license plate is required for operation as a low-speed electric bicycle. These answers apply only to a device that meets Illinois's low-speed electric bicycle definition. Beginning January 1, 2027, Public Act 104-0854 treats an electric bicycle outside that definition as a motor driven cycle for Illinois Vehicle Code purposes, so any device outside the reviewed definition needs separate classification review.

No statewide motor-vehicle insurance requirement applies to operation as a low-speed electric bicycle. These answers apply only to a device that meets Illinois's low-speed electric bicycle definition. Beginning January 1, 2027, Public Act 104-0854 treats an electric bicycle outside that definition as a motor driven cycle for Illinois Vehicle Code purposes, so any device outside the reviewed definition needs separate classification review.

Illinois does not impose a statewide e-bike-specific helmet requirement in section 11-1517. Local facility rules may still require helmets.

Current law: a person must be at least 16 to operate a Class 3 low-speed electric bicycle, and a person under 16 may ride as a passenger on a passenger-capable Class 3 bike. Beginning January 1, 2027, Class 1 and Class 2 operators must be at least 15, Class 3 operators must still be at least 16, and a person under 18 may not operate a passenger-capable low-speed electric bicycle with a passenger unless the passenger is a sibling, stepsibling, child, or stepchild of the operator.

Effective January 1, 2026, the Micromobility Fire Safety Act restricts manufacture, distribution, sale, lease, and rental of low-speed e-bikes and traction batteries unless required accredited-laboratory testing is met. Before January 1, 2028, an e-bike drive system must comply with ANSI/CAN/UL 2849 or EN 15194. Starting January 1, 2028, UL 2849 is required. Battery testing follows section 15(c), and section 20 prohibits specified reconditioned batteries made with used lithium-ion cells. Public Act 104-0854 takes effect January 1, 2027 and updates related definitions for electric micromobility devices and traction batteries without changing the core e-bike battery-testing dates in this answer.

Illinois uses Class 1 pedal-assist to 20 mph, Class 2 throttle-capable to 20 mph, and Class 3 pedal-assist to 28 mph. A low-speed electric bicycle has fully operable pedals and a motor of less than 750 W. Beginning January 1, 2027, Public Act 104-0854 also states that an electric bicycle outside the low-speed electric bicycle definition is a motor driven cycle for purposes of the Illinois Vehicle Code.

Class 2 may use a throttle, with motor assistance ending at 20 mph. Class 1 and Class 3 are pedal-assist classes.

Class 1 and Class 2 assistance stops at 20 mph. Class 3 assistance stops at 28 mph.

Less than 750 W. A device at or above 750 W does not meet Illinois's low-speed electric bicycle definition. Beginning January 1, 2027, Public Act 104-0854 treats an electric bicycle outside the low-speed electric bicycle definition as a motor driven cycle for Illinois Vehicle Code purposes.

Current law: low-speed electric bicycles may use highways, streets, roadways, and bicycle lanes authorized for bicycles. They may use bicycle paths unless the municipality, county, or local authority with jurisdiction prohibits all e-bikes or a specific class. E-bikes may not be operated on sidewalks. Beginning January 1, 2027, Public Act 104-0854 changes bicycle-path authority to the State agency with jurisdiction, authorizes the Department of Natural Resources to regulate low-speed electric bicycles on property it owns, manages, or leases, and allows park districts, forest preserve districts, conservation districts, and transit districts to regulate low-speed electric bicycles on bicycle paths under their jurisdiction.

Operators must be 16+ and Class 3 bikes must have a speedometer. Starting January 1, 2027, an under-18 operator of any passenger-capable low-speed e-bike may carry a passenger only if the passenger is the operator's sibling, stepsibling, child, or stepchild. No statewide e-bike-specific helmet mandate.