Electric bikes and scooters have transformed how people get around Chicago. They are fast, affordable, and convenient — but as their numbers have grown, so have the injuries and legal questions that follow a crash.
Illinois lawmakers have passed Senate Bill 3484, a measure that would significantly change how electric bicycles, electric scooters, and similar devices are classified and regulated under the Illinois Vehicle Code. After passing both houses of the Illinois General Assembly, SB 3484 was sent to the Governor on June 30, 2026. As of August 20, 2026, the official legislative record continues to list "Sent to the Governor" as the bill's latest action.
If enacted in its current form, the legislation would take effect January 1, 2027.
At Sexner Injury Lawyers LLC, we help people who have been hurt in crashes involving electric bikes and scooters across the Chicago area and throughout Illinois. Below, we explain what SB 3484 proposes and what these changes could mean for future injury claims.
If you have been injured in an e-bike or e-scooter accident, call (312) 243-9922 for a free and confidential consultation.
Please note: As of August 20, 2026, SB 3484 has passed both chambers of the Illinois General Assembly and has been sent to the Governor, but the official legislative record does not yet show that it has been signed into law. The enrolled bill provides for an effective date of January 1, 2027 if enacted. You can review the current status of SB 3484 through the Illinois General Assembly. This article discusses the enrolled version of the bill and is intended as general information, not legal advice about any particular case.
What Would Senate Bill 3484 Do?
SB 3484 would amend the Illinois Vehicle Code to create a much more detailed framework for what lawmakers call "electric micromobility devices" and to redefine several categories of electric and gas-powered bicycles.
In practical terms, the proposal attempts to address a rapidly changing transportation environment in which devices ranging from pedal-assist bicycles to high-powered electric scooters and moped-style e-bikes share streets and other public spaces.
The bill would create new legal definitions for devices that previously did not fit neatly within existing categories. It would establish age and equipment requirements, regulate where different devices may be operated and, importantly for injury cases, classify certain higher-powered electric bicycles as "motor driven cycles."
That classification can carry licensing, insurance, title, registration and equipment requirements that do not ordinarily apply to conventional bicycles.
The full enrolled text of SB 3484 is available from the Illinois General Assembly.
The Three-Class E-Bike System Would Remain in Place
Illinois already uses a three-class system for low-speed electric bicycles, and SB 3484 would retain that basic structure.
Understanding the classes is important because an e-bike's classification can determine which operating rules apply:
- Class 1: A low-speed electric bicycle with a motor that provides assistance only while the rider is pedaling and stops providing assistance when the bicycle reaches 20 miles per hour.
- Class 2: A low-speed electric bicycle with a motor that may propel the bicycle without pedaling but cannot provide assistance when the bicycle reaches 20 miles per hour.
- Class 3: A low-speed electric bicycle with a motor that provides assistance only while the rider is pedaling and stops providing assistance when the bicycle reaches 28 miles per hour.
Under the enrolled version of SB 3484, a "low-speed electric bicycle" must have fully operable pedals and an electric motor of less than 750 watts.
The proposal would also provide that a person operating a Class 1 or Class 2 low-speed electric bicycle must be at least 15 years old, while a Class 3 operator must be at least 16 years old.
The Most Important Change: When an E-Bike Would Become a "Motor Driven Cycle"
One provision could be particularly important in future injury litigation.
Under the enrolled version of SB 3484, an electric bicycle that does not meet the definition of a low-speed electric bicycle would be considered a "motor driven cycle" for purposes of the Illinois Vehicle Code.
The proposed definition of "motor driven cycle" would include vehicles powered by an electric motor with a nominal power rating greater than 750 watts but not greater than 8,000 watts. It would also expressly include electric bicycles that do not meet the low-speed electric bicycle definition.
Practically speaking, some powerful e-bikes and moped-style electric bikes that may be marketed to consumers as "e-bikes" could be treated very differently from ordinary bicycles under Illinois law if SB 3484 becomes law.
Licensing, Insurance, Title and Registration Requirements
The proposed reclassification would carry significant consequences.
Under the enrolled bill, a person operating a motor driven cycle generally would need to:
- Possess a valid driver's license;
- Comply with Illinois mandatory liability insurance requirements;
- Comply with applicable title and registration requirements when the vehicle is operated on public highways;
- Use a vehicle equipped with a speedometer;
- Have a vehicle identification number where required; and
- Meet applicable federal vehicle safety and equipment standards.
The enrolled bill contains special title provisions for electric motor driven cycles with motors rated above 750 watts and at or below 8,000 watts that are purchased new on or after January 1, 2027.
A vehicle purchased before that date may not automatically be required to be titled merely because of the purchase date. However, the bill specifies that such a vehicle would still have to satisfy applicable title and registration requirements if the owner intends to operate it on public highways.
These distinctions could become important after an accident because the vehicle's power, purchase date, configuration and location of operation may affect which requirements apply.
Where Would Motor Driven Cycles Be Allowed?
SB 3484 would impose specific restrictions on vehicles classified as motor driven cycles.
Under the enrolled bill, motor driven cycles could not be operated on:
- Sidewalks;
- Bicycle lanes;
- Bicycle paths;
- Shared-use paths;
- Off-road bicycle trails;
- Natural-surface trails designated for bicycle use;
- Other bicycle-specific facilities; or
- Interstate highways.
Subject to the other requirements of the Vehicle Code, motor driven cycles generally could be operated on public highways, streets and roadways.
For an injury claim, determining whether a rider was operating a particular device somewhere the proposed law would prohibit could become relevant to the investigation of fault.
A New Category: "Electric Micromobility Devices"
SB 3484 would also create a category known as an "electric micromobility device."
The enrolled bill defines this generally as a lightweight, low-speed, electric-powered device used primarily for personal transportation and operated at speeds of up to 28 miles per hour.
The category includes:
- Electric skateboards;
- Electric unicycles;
- Low-speed electric scooters; and
- High-speed electric scooters.
For purposes of the Illinois Vehicle Code, the proposed legislation would consider an electric micromobility device a motor vehicle.
Importantly, however, the legislation would expressly exempt electric micromobility devices from the title, registration, driver's license or permit, and mandatory liability insurance requirements that apply to certain other motor vehicles.
That distinction is important. An electric micromobility device and a high-powered electric bicycle classified as a motor driven cycle would not necessarily be subject to the same requirements.
Operating Rules for Electric Micromobility Devices
SB 3484 would establish detailed rules for electric micromobility devices.
A rider would have to be at least 16 years old, and each device would need a functioning brake or other mechanism capable of adequately slowing and stopping it.
The legislation also contains lighting and reflector requirements for nighttime operation.
Electric micromobility devices generally could not be operated:
- On a sidewalk;
- On a highway with a speed limit greater than 35 miles per hour unless a designated bicycle lane is available; or
- On an interstate highway.
In addition, a device capable of and being operated at more than 28 miles per hour would be prohibited from public highways, regardless of the posted speed limit, as well as bicycle lanes and bicycle paths.
The proposed legislation also prohibits operating an electric micromobility device while under the influence of alcohol or drugs and restricts passengers unless the device was originally designed to carry more than one person.
How These Proposed Changes Could Affect Injury Claims
If SB 3484 becomes law, its classifications and operating rules could affect e-bike and e-scooter injury cases in several important ways.
1. Insurance Could Become Available — or Required — for Some E-Bikes
One recurring problem in e-bike injury cases is determining whether insurance coverage exists.
A conventional bicycle rider generally does not carry a liability policy specifically covering the bicycle itself. But under SB 3484, an electric bicycle classified as a motor driven cycle would be subject to Illinois mandatory liability insurance requirements.
If a high-powered e-bike rider injures a pedestrian, cyclist or another person, required liability coverage could potentially provide a source of compensation for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering and other legally recoverable damages.
Whether a particular policy provides coverage would still depend upon the facts of the accident, the classification of the vehicle and the terms of the applicable insurance policy.
2. Licensing and Safety Violations Could Become Relevant Evidence
SB 3484 would establish clearer requirements concerning licenses, insurance, equipment and permissible places of operation.
If a rider causes an accident while operating a vehicle without a required license, without required insurance, with prohibited modifications or in a location where that class of vehicle may not legally be operated, those facts could become relevant evidence in determining negligence.
A statutory violation does not necessarily resolve every question of liability by itself. The circumstances of the collision and whether the violation contributed to the injury would still need to be evaluated.
3. Anti-Tampering Rules Could Matter in Liability Claims
The enrolled version of SB 3484 prohibits knowingly tampering with or modifying the speed capability or engagement of motor driven cycles and electric micromobility devices beyond their originally intended capabilities.
The bill also regulates modifications to low-speed electric bicycles.
This could become particularly important when a device has been electronically "unlocked," altered or otherwise modified to travel faster than its original design allowed.
Following a serious crash, an investigation may need to determine:
- The original motor rating;
- The manufacturer's intended maximum speed;
- Whether software, controllers or other components were altered;
- Who performed the modification; and
- Whether the modification contributed to the accident or severity of the injuries.
Depending upon the circumstances, these issues could potentially affect claims involving not only the rider but also sellers, service providers or others involved with the vehicle.
4. Consumer Protections Against Mislabeled Vehicles
SB 3484 contains an important consumer-protection provision concerning motor driven cycles.
The bill would prohibit retailers, wholesalers, distributors and manufacturers from marketing, advertising or labeling a motor driven cycle in a manner that would reasonably mislead consumers into believing that the vehicle is exempt from requirements that actually apply to it.
A violation would constitute an unlawful practice under the Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act.
The enrolled legislation provides for a civil penalty of up to $10,000 for each violation, with each mislabeled or falsely marketed vehicle constituting a separate violation.
In an injury case involving a powerful device sold as an ordinary e-bike, the manner in which the product was advertised, labeled and represented to the purchaser could therefore become an important part of the investigation.
5. Clearer Rules About Where Devices Belong
Many e-bike and e-scooter crashes involve disputes about where the rider was permitted to travel — for example, whether the device belonged on a sidewalk, in a bicycle lane or in ordinary vehicle traffic.
SB 3484 would establish more specific rules based upon the classification of the device.
As a result, identifying exactly what type of vehicle was involved could become a critical first step after an accident. Motor power, maximum assisted speed, pedals, vehicle design and modifications could all affect the legal classification.
What About Chicago and Other Local Regulations?
The enrolled bill also contains significant limitations on the ability of local governments, including home-rule municipalities such as Chicago, to regulate several of these categories differently from the State.
For example, the proposal expressly limits local regulation of motor driven cycles, electric micromobility devices and low-speed electric bicycles except where the legislation specifically authorizes local involvement.
At the same time, the bill permits certain public entities, including the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and specified park, forest preserve, conservation and transit districts, to regulate certain uses on property or bicycle paths under their jurisdiction.
Accordingly, the exact location of an accident can still matter when determining what rules apply.
What SB 3484 Could Mean for Riders, Pedestrians and Drivers
If SB 3484 is signed into law in its enrolled form, owners of higher-powered electric bicycles may discover that a device marketed or commonly described as an "e-bike" is legally considered a motor driven cycle.
That distinction could trigger licensing, insurance, title, registration and equipment obligations that do not apply to low-speed electric bicycles.
For pedestrians, traditional cyclists and others injured by these increasingly powerful devices, the legislation could also provide clearer rules for determining:
- How the device should have been classified;
- Where the rider was legally permitted to operate it;
- Whether a driver's license was required;
- Whether liability insurance should have been in place;
- Whether the vehicle was properly titled or registered;
- Whether the device had been improperly modified; and
- Whether the seller or manufacturer misrepresented its legal classification.
Those issues could become significant when determining responsibility and identifying potential sources of compensation after a serious accident.
What Happens Next With SB 3484?
As of August 20, 2026, SB 3484 has completed the legislative process in the Illinois General Assembly and has been sent to the Governor.
The Governor may sign the bill, veto it, or take other action permitted under Illinois law. Until gubernatorial action occurs, the provisions discussed in this article should be understood as proposed changes contained in the enrolled bill, not current Illinois law created by SB 3484.
If enacted in its current form, SB 3484 provides that it would take effect on January 1, 2027.
Because the legal status of the bill may change, riders, businesses and people involved in e-bike or e-scooter accidents should verify the current law rather than relying solely on an earlier description of the legislation.
Injured in an E-Bike or E-Scooter Accident? We Can Help
Whether you were riding an electric bike, struck by one as a pedestrian, injured while bicycling, or involved in a collision with an electric scooter, these cases can involve complicated questions concerning vehicle classification, insurance coverage and fault.
At Sexner Injury Lawyers LLC, our attorneys have represented injured people and their families in Chicago and throughout Illinois since 1990.
Determining how an electric device should be classified, whether insurance applies, whether it was legally operated or modified, and which parties may be responsible requires a careful investigation of the facts and the law in effect at the time of the accident.
If you have questions about an e-bike or e-scooter accident, contact us today. There is never a legal fee unless we are successful on your behalf.
Call (312) 243-9922 for a free and confidential consultation.
