Bill Text: IL SB1787 | 2009-2010 | 96th General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Defines a low-speed electric bicycle as a 2 or 3-wheeled device with fully operable pedals and an electric motor of less than 750 watts (one horsepower), whose maximum speed on a paved level surface, when powered solely by such a motor while ridden by an operator who weighs 170 pounds, is less than 20 miles per hour. Excludes low-speed electric bicycles from the definition of "motor vehicle". Provides that a person may operate a low-speed electric bicycle only if the person has a valid current Illinois driver's license, regardless of classification, and the person is at least 16 years of age. Prohibits operation of a low-speed electric bicycle at a speed greater than 20 miles per hour upon any highway, street, or roadway. Prohibits operation of a low-speed electric bicycle on a sidewalk. Provides that, except as otherwise provided, the provisions of the Article of the Code dealing with bicycles also apply to low-speed electric bicycles.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2009-02-20 - Referred to Assignments [SB1787 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2009-SB1787-Introduced.html

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96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY State of Illinois 2009 and 2010 SB1787 Introduced 2/20/2009, by Sen. J. Bradley Burzynski SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
625 ILCS 5/1-140.10 new
625 ILCS 5/1-146 from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 1-146
625 ILCS 5/11-1516 new
Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Defines a low-speed electric bicycle as a 2 or 3-wheeled device with fully operable pedals and an electric motor of less than 750 watts (one horsepower), whose maximum speed on a paved level surface, when powered solely by such a motor while ridden by an operator who weighs 170 pounds, is less than 20 miles per hour. Excludes low-speed electric bicycles from the definition of "motor vehicle". Provides that a person may operate a low-speed electric bicycle only if the person has a valid current Illinois driver's license, regardless of classification, and the person is at least 16 years of age. Prohibits operation of a low-speed electric bicycle at a speed greater than 20 miles per hour upon any highway, street, or roadway. Prohibits operation of a low-speed electric bicycle on a sidewalk. Provides that, except as otherwise provided, the provisions of the Article of the Code dealing with bicycles also apply to low-speed electric bicycles.
LRB096 11191 AJT 21583 b
A BILL FOR
SB1787 LRB096 11191 AJT 21583 b
AN ACT concerning transportation.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
represented in the General Assembly:
Section 5. The Illinois Vehicle Code is amended by adding
Sections 1-140.10 and 11-1516 and by changing Section 1-146 as
follows:
(625 ILCS 5/1-140.10 new)
Sec. 1-140.10. Low-speed electric bicycle. A 2 or 3-wheeled
device with fully operable pedals and an electric motor of less
than 750 watts (one horsepower), whose maximum speed on a paved
level surface, when powered solely by such a motor while ridden
by an operator who weighs 170 pounds, is less than 20 miles per
hour.
(625 ILCS 5/1-146) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 1-146)
Sec. 1-146. Motor vehicle. Every vehicle which is
self-propelled and every vehicle which is propelled by electric
power obtained from overhead trolley wires, but not operated
upon rails, except for vehicles moved solely by human power,
and motorized wheelchairs, and low-speed electric bicycles.
For this Act, motor vehicles are divided into two divisions:
First Division: Those motor vehicles which are designed for
the carrying of not more than 10 persons.

SB1787 - 2 - LRB096 11191 AJT 21583 b
Second Division: Those motor vehicles which are designed
for carrying more than 10 persons, those motor vehicles
designed or used for living quarters, those motor vehicles
which are designed for pulling or carrying freight, cargo or
implements of husbandry, and those motor vehicles of the First
Division remodelled for use and used as motor vehicles of the
Second Division.
(Source: P.A. 85-1010.)
(625 ILCS 5/11-1516 new)
Sec. 11-1516. Low-speed electric bicycles.
(a) A person may operate a low-speed electric bicycle only
if: (i) the person has a valid current Illinois driver's
license, regardless of classification; and (ii) the person is
at least 16 years of age.
(b) A person may not operate a low-speed electric bicycle
at a speed greater than 20 miles per hour upon any highway,
street, or roadway.
(c) A person may not operate a low-speed electric bicycle
on a sidewalk.
(d) Except as otherwise provided in this Section, the
provisions of this Article XV that apply to bicycles also apply
to low-speed electric bicycles.