E-bike and electric scooter riders on the Illinois Prairie Path and other local trails will face new age minimums and speed limits starting Jan. 1, 2027.
Gov. JB Pritzker signed Senate Bill 3484 on Wednesday, Aug. 26, creating the state's first comprehensive rules for e-bikes, e-scooters, electric skateboards, electric unicycles and other battery-powered devices. Warrenville's city government flagged the law in a civic alert on Thursday, Aug. 27, directing residents to the Illinois Secretary of State's "Know the Rules" guide.
The law matters locally. The Illinois Prairie Path converges in downtown Wheaton at 300 S. Carlton Ave. and threads through Warrenville and West Chicago. The Great Western Trail stretches nearly 14 miles from Villa Park to West Chicago. The West Branch DuPage River Trail passes through Warrenville's downtown. All are shared-use paths where e-bikes and scooters already mix with walkers and pedal cyclists.
Who can ride, and how fast
Under the new law:
- Riders of Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes, which assist up to 20 mph, must be at least 15 years old.
- Riders of Class 3 e-bikes, which assist up to 28 mph, must be at least 16.
- Electric scooter, skateboard and unicycle riders must be at least 16 and cannot exceed 28 mph. Those devices are banned from sidewalks.
- The minimum age for low-speed electric scooters that top out at 20 mph drops from 18 to 16.
- Low-speed e-bikes remain allowed on streets, bike lanes, bike paths and shared-use trails, but not sidewalks.
High-powered e-bikes with motors of 750 watts or more that exceed 28 mph will be regulated as motor-driven cycles. Riders will need a driver's license, title, registration and insurance. Those machines are barred from sidewalks, bike lanes and bike paths entirely.
Violators can face fines, and police can confiscate and impound devices, Block Club Chicago reported.
Local districts keep authority
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) and local park, forest preserve and conservation districts may still set their own trail rules, including speed limits and device restrictions. That means the Wheaton Park District, Warrenville Park District and DuPage County Forest Preserve District could impose tighter limits on their paths once the law takes effect.
None of those agencies has announced specific plans yet.
Why now
The bill passed both chambers with bipartisan support on June 1 after several spring amendments. Sen. Ram Villivalam, D-Chicago, sponsored the measure.
"Technology is evolving, providing expanded mobility options for our neighbors through the rise in popularity of e-bikes and scooters," Villivalam said in a statement Aug. 26. "But without clear regulations for these devices, we are seeing increased injuries and accidents — jeopardizing community safety."
Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias championed the law as a top legislative priority. His office plans a public awareness campaign and will update driver education materials, according to Block Club Chicago. Northern Public Radio reported the bill received bipartisan support in both chambers.
The full guide to the new rules is available at ilsos.gov under the "Know the Rules" micromobility page. The law takes effect Jan. 1, 2027.
