STREETERVILLE (WBBM Newsradio) -- A new effort to regulate faster electric bikes and scooters is speeding toward the desk of Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, and public health advocates say it's not a moment too soon.
Members of the Illinois Legislature gave final approval early Monday to a statewide series of regulations covering electric bikes, e-scooters, and electric skateboards. The measure would ban many powered transportation devices from protected bike lanes, and would require people using faster e-motos and bikes - ones that can travel faster than 50 miles per hour - to be licensed and insured.
"Above all, it's about safety," said Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias about the new regulations, which he helped put together in response to what he described as a 300% increase in injuries and fatalities on e-bikes and scooters between 2019 and 2022.
"It's just a whole new dimension" of injury, according to Lurie Children's Hospital emergency room specialist Dr. Kristine Cieslak, who joined Giannoulias and other supporters Thursday at the hospital, 225 E. Chicago Ave, to highlight the changes.
"The faster you ride, the harder you're gonna fall," Dr. Cieslak said, noting that most parents and children don't realize how fast many of those devices can go until something happens, and then the reaction is surprise and fear: "I lost control, it happened so fast, I didn't realize this could happen, and I'm scared to ride again."
Giannoulias acknowledged that riders of those faster powered devices need to consider the higher cost of operation, including a $165 title cost, $41 for yearly regulation as well as insurance, but said his office had no information on how much more revenue could come into the state as a result of these changes: "That has not been our focus."
If the governor signs it into law, it'll take effect in January.
Bill requires license and insurance for faster e-bikes; safety benefits touted
Bill requires license and insurance for faster e-bikes; safety benefits touted
