(TNS) — So-called micromobility devices such as e-bikes are becoming more common across Illinois, but confusion about where they can be operated — and how to do so safely — also is growing, according to Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias.
Giannoulias is hoping to address that lack of clarity with education and updated laws via a new “Ride Safe, Ride Smart, Ride Ready” campaign that will combine education, updated driver training and a push for updated or new safety laws to address micromobility vehicles’ increased use, Giannoulias said Thursday.
Micromobility devices are “small vehicles intended for personal use that allow people to commute short distances,” according to Giannoulias’ office. They include electric bicycles, or e-bikes; electric motorbikes; electric scooters; electric skateboards and electric unicycles.
The goal of the campaign is to help increase awareness of the vehicles and the issues that have arisen from a lack of regulation for their safe, acceptable use.
“These devices have a great appeal,” Giannoulias said. “They are cheaper options, environmentally friendly. They are changing how people get around. The number of people using them has rapidly increased.”
While there are regulations in place for vehicles that travel up to 20 mph, some micromobility devices now can travel 50 mph or more — but are not regulated by laws.
Giannoulias is asking for more focus to be placed on devices that exceed 750 watts of electricity, which allows them to travel much faster.
Many — but not all — municipalities have begun creating their own regulations for the devices after encountering issues.
“In recent months, we have had an uptick of complaints involving juveniles with a wide range of issues,” Greenfield Police Chief Nathanial Alderfer said in October. “These issues involve juveniles not obeying bicycle laws, dangerous and reckless e-bike riding (and) driving side-by-side under the age of 16 on city streets.”
The Carrollton school district also has had issues with the use of micromobility devices on their track, causing damage to the track, which is used by both the school and the community.
Giannoulias credits the large gap in regulation for causing confusion among drivers.
It also causes issues for police responding to unsafe riding.
“There are major gaps and some that aren’t defined,” Giannoulias said. “The rules are difficult to understand. … There’s no regulations at all for electric unicycles or skateboards.”
A Columbia University study cited by Giannoulias indicates the use of e-bikes caused a nearly 300% increase in bicycle-related injuries between 2019 and 2022.
Treatment for children who have fallen off their bicycle has always been an issue, said Dr. Kristine Cieslak, section chief of Pediatric Emergency Medicine at Lurie Children’s at Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital. The evolution from traditional pedal bikes to e-bikes means they now are seeing more severe injuries, she said.
“These vehicles are faster so the impact is greater,” Cieslak said. “Injuries to the face … shoulder and clavicle fractures. These are more than a cast. Some have to have surgery to repair. I don’t think parents truly understand the risks.”
Injuries occurring during a person’s first time on an e-bike isn’t uncommon, Cieslak said.
“They try it once and their life is changed,” Cieslak said. “We have to teach our kids about safe driving. They are not developmentally coordinated enough, strong enough or skilled enough to handle these. Kids push boundaries and it is our job to create those boundaries.”
Sen. Ram Villivalam, chairman for the state Senate’s Transportation Committee, said steps have to be taken to ensure safety regulations are in place for the devices, include age and use restrictions.
“Technology is changing how people move, but our laws haven’t kept pace — and that gap is putting lives at risk,” Villivalam said. “This initiative is about modernizing our approach to micromobility with clear and consistent statewide standards that protect pedestrians, riders and drivers.”
The campaign isn’t about stopping the use or expansion of e-bikes and scooters but ensuring everyone takes steps to ensure their proper use, he said.
“By pairing education with common-sense safeguards, we can make sure innovation on our streets doesn’t come at the expense of public safety,” Villivalam said.
Giannoulias agreed the campaign isn’t intended to stop the use of e-bikes and scooters altogether, saying they’re here to stay.
“Micromobility devices are more than a trend and we have to get ahead of it,” he said.
For more information on the campaign, laws governing micromobility vehicles and safe operating practices, go to tinyurl.com/2etvp4m4.
© 2026 the Jacksonville Journal-Courier (Jacksonville, Ill.). Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
