Because laws regarding e-bikes are changing in 2027, the Sycamore Police Department has begun a campaign to help the community understand what will and won’t be legal.
This fall, Sycamore police officers plan to educate local e-bike, e-scooter, e-skateboard and e-unicycle riders on what the law will say about their riders come Jan. 1, according to a news release from the Sycamore Police Department.
“Officers will be using contacts with riders as opportunities to explain the law, answer questions, and promote safe riding practices,” the news release reads.
Beginning in 2027, you must be at least 16 to operate any e-bike in Illinois, according to state law. Fifteen-year-olds will be allowed to ride e-bikes that do not provide powered propulsion above 20 mph. Class 3 e-bikes, which have power up to 28 mph – as well as electronic skateboards and electric unicycles – will only be legally rideable for people who are at least 16.
“The Sycamore Police Department has observed riders disregarding traffic signals and stop signs, riding on sidewalks, and otherwise failing to follow traffic laws,” an officer wrote in the release.
To educate the public, Sycamore police officers will be empowered to stop e-bike and e-scooter riders when they see traffic violations and unsafe behavior, according to the news release.
“Officers will focus on behaviors that create significant safety risks, including reckless riding, disregarding traffic lights or stop signs, and operating on sidewalks where prohibited,” an officer wrote in the release.
E-bikes and e-scooters cannot be operated on sidewalks, according to Sycamore police.
Any electric-powered bike or scooter that provides motorized assistance above 28 mph will be considered a motor vehicle that requires vehicle registration, a valid driver’s license, and insurance to operate. To be classified as an e-bike, the bike must have a motor with 750 watts or less.
A low-speed electric scooter, which doesn’t require state registration, must have a maximum speed of 15 mph, weigh less than 100 pounds and be operated by someone who’s at least 16. It can not be ridden by two people, nor can it be used on roadways with speed limits above 35 mph.