E-Bikes and E-Micromobility Devices
The Village of Oak Park, like many municipalities, has seen an increase in the use of e-bikes and other devices such as electric scooters and micromobility devices. This has led to increased complaints about their use in the downtown areas, on sidewalks, and on the roads.
Statewide, the rise in ridership and associated injuries has intensified calls for enhanced regulatory standards. In the Illinois General Assembly, Senate Bill 3336 passed in the Senate and in the House of Representatives addressing E-Bikes and Micromobility Devices (due to a procedural matter, Senate Bill 3484 was used to cast the final vote in the House and Senate).
The Bill has been sent to the Governor for his review. The General Assembly has 30 days to send to the Governor, who then has 60 days to act on the Bill. The Bill creates state-wide regulations and classifications for e-bikes and micro-mobility devices. Of particular significance, the Bill would preempt local government regulation of e-bikes, scooters, and other devices. If signed by the Governor, the Bill will become law and take effect January 1, 2027.
The Village Board is tentatively scheduled to have a study session on this topic during its meeting on July 14, 2026. Prior to that, staff will also meet with the Transportation Commission, Board of Health and Community Relations Commission in June to discuss the topic.
Comparison of Current State Law and Senate Bill 3484
Below is a comparison of current State law and regulations proposed in the Bill. Items marked with an asterisk (*) in the Senate Bill summary are those which are more restrictive than current State law.
Scooters & Electric Micromobility Devices (“EMDs”)
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State Law Currently
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State Law as of 1/1/27 per SB 3484
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Labeled “low-speed electric scooters”
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Included within definition of EMDs along with other similar devices which are light-weight, low-speed, electric-powered devices primarily used for personal transportation and operated at speeds up to 28 mph
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Operators must be 18+ years old
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* EMD operators must be 16+
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< 10 mph scooters prohibited on sidewalks, unless the Village adopts an ordinance to allow them on sidewalks
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* EMDs prohibited on sidewalks
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Allowed on streets with speed limits up to 35 mph
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EMDs allowed on streets with speed limits up to 35 mph and in bicycle lanes on streets up to 55 mph
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No equipment requirements
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* EMDs must have functioning brakes and a light at night
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No impoundment authority
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* Village may confiscate or impound EMDs that violate or are used in a manner that violates the Illinois Vehicle Code.
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Village may regulate low-speed electric scooters and other electric micro-mobility devices
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Village is preempted from regulating EMDs
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Low-Speed Electric Bicycles
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State Law Currently
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State Law as of 1/1/27 per SB 3484
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Three classifications:
Class 1 - Pedal-assist (<20 mph)
Class 2 - Motor (<20 mph)
Class 3 - Pedal-assist (<28 mph)
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Same as current
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Class 1 - No minimum age
Class 2 -No minimum age
Class 3 - Operators must be 16+ years old
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* Class 1 - Operators must be 15+ years old
* Class 2 - Operators must be 15+ years old
Class 3 - Operators must be 16+ years old
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Prohibited on sidewalks
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Same as current
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Village may regulate low-speed electric bicycles
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Village is preempted from regulating low-speed electric bicycles
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Low-Speed Gas Powered Bicycles
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State Law Currently
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State Law as of 1/1/27 per SB 3484
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Operators must be 16+ years old
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Same as current
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Maximum speed 20 mph
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Maximum speed 28 mph
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Prohibited on sidewalks
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Same as current
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Village may regulate low-speed electric bicycles
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Village is preempted from regulating low-speed electric bicycles
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Toy Vehicles
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State Law Currently
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State Law as of 1/1/27 per SB 3484
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Not regulated
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Defined as a battery powered ride-on toy that designed to not exceed 10 mph, and includes any number of wheels or handlebars or a steering wheel, and a seat or platform, and is designed for children under 8 years of age, including products marketed under the brand names of "Razor" or "Power Wheels" and other similar products
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Not regulated
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* Only allowed on sidewalks and bicycle paths, and not on streets and highways
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Not regulated, Village may regulate toy vehicles
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Village is preempted from regulating toy vehicles in a less restrictive manner
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Motor Driven Cycles
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State Law Currently
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State Law as of 1/1/27 per SB 3484
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Not regulated
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Defined as any device that does not qualify as an electric micro-mobility device or low-speed electric bicycle because it goes more than 28 mph or has an engine with a nominal power rating of greater than 750 watts but less than or equal to 8,000 watts
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Not regulated
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* Prohibited on interstate highways, streets with speed limits greater than 55 mph, sidewalks, bicycle lanes and paths, public property when prohibited by the government
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Not regulated
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* Operators must have a driver’s license or be 16 or 17 years old and have an instructional permit
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Not regulated
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* Operators must have insurance for motor driven cycles purchased after January 1, 2027 along with title and registration from the State
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Not regulated, Village may regulate motor driven cycles
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Village is preempted from regulating motor driven vehicles
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Education
The Village of Oak Park will bring awareness and educate the residents and visitors of the new legislation through community engagement such as at Oak Park Police Department Community Policing Unit's monthly meetings and through Inter-Governmental partnerships. Before the Village Board Study Session, scheduled for July, staff will meet with the Transportation Commission on June 8 and the Board of Health on June 11 to obtain feedback on the recommendation. The campaign is supported by all Village Departments to ensure a coordinated Village-wide approach involving the Health Department, Neighborhood Services and DEI Office.
Ride Illinois Bike Safety Quiz
More bike safety information:
Click on image to expand and download a PDF
Proposed Enforcement
- Before issuing citations, Community Policing Unit officers and Community Service Officers can focus on explaining the new rules and hand out QR‑coded materials. This helps build voluntary compliance—especially since many residents may have no knowledge that the law has changed.
- Community Service Officers will assist with enforcement in Downtown Oak Park and the Hemingway Business District. Community Service Officers will be deployed daily to the sidewalks along Lake Street, focusing on sidewalk riding, equipment violations, and minors on e-bikes with speed above 10 MPH.
- When an e‑bike rider is identified as the at‑fault party in a traffic accident, Patrol Officers and Community Service Officers will issue a citation.
- Staff is researching an appropriate fine structure for violations.
- OPPD officers will focus on the most egregious violations, including riding e-bikes on sidewalks, high-speed e-bikes, unsafe high-speed riding, and nighttime riding without front lights. The violations will be strictly enforced for the stated violations.
- The e-bike can be impounded for reckless or repeated violations and include an impoundment fine.
- The Strategic Intelligence Manager within the OPPD will track data and send out weekly reports identifying the locations of reported unsafe riding and accidents involving e-scooters and e-bikes; Patrol officers and Community Service Officers will be deployed according to the data.