Making Illinois Streets Safer & Protecting Lives: Giannoulias Unveils Statewide E-Bike Safety Initiative

SPRINGFIELD – Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias today announced a comprehensive, statewide initiative to protect pedestrians, riders and drivers by addressing the dangerous rise of high-speed e-bikes and other powerful electric transportation devices on Illinois streets and sidewalks.

The multi-pronged campaign – “Ride Safe, Ride Smart, Ride Ready” – combines public education, updated driver training and a push for modernized safety laws to keep pace with the fast-evolving micromobility industry. As e-bikes and similar devices become faster, heavier and more powerful, Illinois law has not kept up – putting lives at risk.

“Micromobility technology is advancing faster than our rules,” Giannoulias said. “Some of these devices now travel at highway speeds, yet there are few clear standards, age limits and safety requirements. We need common-sense solutions that reflect today’s reality and make our streets safer for everyone”.

E-bike injuries surged by 293 percent nationwide from 2019 to 2022, according to a study by Columbia University. Since then, continued technological advances have produced devices capable of traveling more than 50 miles per hour, far beyond what existing state law contemplated.

Tragically, the consequences have already been felt in Illinois. Last fall, a Mount Prospect teen was killed when the e-bike he was riding collided with a pickup truck, and in 2022, an Illinois State University official died after he was struck by an e-bike rider in Bloomington-Normal.

This initiative will raise awareness of current rules governing e-bikes, scooters, skateboards and unicycles while laying the groundwork for updated regulations to be introduced this session. Key components include a new public education website, expanded driver education curriculum, and collaboration with lawmakers, local officials, medical experts, law enforcement, and cycling and safety advocates statewide.

Proposed Regulatory Framework:

Illinois currently recognizes three classifications of e-bikes – pedal bikes with electric motor assistance – a structure shared by 46 other states and one that would remain unchanged. New legislation would instead focus on higher-powered, higher-speed e-bikes and other electric devices that fall outside the existing definitions or are largely unregulated.

Many of these devices exceed 750 watts and can travel more than 28 mph – and in some cases exceed 50 mph – yet are not clearly defined or regulated under state law. High-speed electric scooters, skateboards and unicycles face similar regulatory gaps.

Giannoulias emphasized that any new legislation would establish clear statewide baseline standards while preserving local governments’ authority to adopt additional safeguards tailored to their communities. Additional, non-legislative efforts will include the following:

Updating Driver Education:

The Secretary of State’s office is partnering with the Illinois High School and College Driver Education Association to develop new programming and curriculum that addresses micromobility across K-12 education and within high school driver education classes.

Community-Based Enforcement:

The Secretary of State will work with law enforcement partners to establish balanced, community-centered micromobility enforcement guidelines – aimed at establishing credibility and trust through – preventative, not reactive – actions and position officers as mentors and safety advocates that focus on building partnerships to promote e-biker safety.

Public Awareness and Transparency:

With new statewide regulations and local ordinances in effect, the Secretary of State and Ride Safe, Ride Smart, Ride Ready groups will develop and distribute tools as part of a public service awareness campaign, reflecting consistent, clear and up-to-date messaging and ways to promote micromobility safety at key times throughout the year.

A new public education website – www.ilsos.gov/oneroad – will serve as a central hub for micromobility safety, rules and policy updates. The site explains what micromobility is, identifies common devices and outlines how they are currently regulated. A dedicated “Know the Rules” section translates existing law into straightforward guidance for riders, parents, drivers, educators and local officials.

Support for “Ride Safe, Ride Smart, Ride Ready”:

“As a physician in the pediatric emergency department, I see all too often youth who suffer from serious injuries due to new emerging modes of transportation like e-scooters and e-bikes. We applaud Secretary of State Giannoulias’ plans to introduce legislation to create safety regulations for e-scooters and e-bikes to prevent injuries and promote transportation safety.”

• Dr. Kristine Cieslak, Section Chief, Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Lurie Children's at Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital
• Co-Director of Advocacy, Emergency Medicine, Lurie Children’s Hospital

“For much of the past year, Ride Illinois has advocated for a clear distinction in state law between safe, legal, low-speed e-bikes, and e-motos – much faster vehicles that often look like e-bikes. Common-sense, balanced legislation—without adding strain on law enforcement—provides an effective and reasonable path forward. This approach will support communities of all sizes in Illinois as they curb unsafe use while responsibly welcoming new mobility modes.”

• Dave Simmons, Executive Director of Ride Illinois

“On behalf of the IHSCDEA, we believe this micromobility-focused initiative represents a scalable, sustainable model for improving traffic safety outcomes across Illinois and strengthening collaboration between educators, students, communities, and state agencies. We are proud to be included in this initiative and look forward to continued partnership in advancing traffic safety education throughout the state.”

• Jennifer Brown, President of the Illinois High School and College Driver Education Association.

“Keeping people safe starts with education and prevention, not just enforcement. These new guidelines will help officers work directly with communities, parents and riders to promote safe behavior, identify problems early and prevent serious crashes. By focusing on partnership and common-sense standards, we can build trust and make our streets safer for everyone.”

• Joe Leonas, President of the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police (ILACP) & Chief of Police for the Village of Lincolnshire

“Technology is changing how people move, but our laws haven’t kept pace – and that gap is putting lives at risk. This initiative is about modernizing our approach to micromobility with clear and consistent statewide standards that protect pedestrians, riders and drivers. By pairing education with common-sense safeguards, we can make sure innovation on our streets doesn’t come at the expense of public safety.”

• State Senator Ram Villivalam, Chair of the Senate Transportation Committee

“Too many families across Illinois are already living with the devastating consequences of unclear rules and unregulated high-speed devices. This campaign is an important step toward bringing clarity, accountability and safety to a rapidly evolving mode of transportation. I’m proud to work with Secretary Giannoulias to advance solutions that help ensure our streets and sidewalks are safer for everyone.”

• State Representative Barbara Hernandez, Vice-Chair of the House Transportation Committee

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