Illinois moves to rein in e-bike regulation chaos with statewide safety push

Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias outlined a plan Thursday to improve e-bike safety this year statewide.

He was joined by leaders and experts in legislation, law enforcement, education and health care for a press conference announcing the “Ride Safe, Ride Smart, Ride Ready” campaign with its own website at ilsos.gov/OneRoad.

Giannoulias, a self-described bike enthusiast, noted the growing effect of micromobility vehicles like e-bikes, e-scooters and e-motos on the state’s transportation system.

“One of the problems is that our laws haven’t kept up with the technology or demand,” he said. “Laws either don’t apply or don’t make sense.”

The Illinois vehicle code lacks rules for devices like e-motos, e-skateboards or even e-unicycles. Law enforcement struggles to respond to these vehicles on the road, leaving parents confused about their suitability for kids.

Dr. Kristine Cieslak, pediatric emergency medicine section chief of Lurie Children’s at Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital, noted this often leads to serious injuries, sometimes on the same day children receive these devices as gifts. She described injuries like broken teeth, fractures and traumatic brain injuries from falls.

“They try it once, life is changed,” she said. “They’re just not developmentally coordinated enough.”

While Cieslak emphasized the need for parents to set limits, Illinois High School and College Drivers Education Association President Jennifer Brown discussed how her organization can help make safe vehicle use a cultural norm.

Suburban legislators said they are eager to introduce legislation in the upcoming session to address these issues.

The speakers agreed such a bill could resolve contradictions among the multitude of municipal ordinances implemented last year.

Lincolnshire Police Chief Joe Leonas, president of the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police, said the goal is to restore predictability on the roadways that was lost last year.

“We like to see boring behavior on the roads,” he joked. “If kids could be predictable and safe, that’s all we’re asking for.”

Dave Simmons, Executive Director of Ride Illinois, emphasized the need for regulation and education to prevent last year’s severe accidents involving teens on e-motos.

“When used responsibly, new mobility modes reduce transportation costs for hardworking Illinoisans,” he said. “Education will be key to this transformation.”

Defining which devices can use existing bike paths is also seen as vital for the future.

A Northwest Municipal Conference summit in September aimed to replace conflicting local measures with a statewide approach.

“What happened last year no one wants to happen again,” Simmons said. “It’s got to start with education and youth. Illinoisans should be proud of how this has been handled.”