96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2009 and 2010
SB0236


 
Introduced 2/4/2009, by Sen. Heather Steans
 
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 03293 AJT 13311 b

















 


 


A BILL FOR









 











SB0236

LRB096 03293 AJT 13311 b






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    AN ACT concerning transportation.

 
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    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
 
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represented in the General Assembly:


 
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    Section 5. The Illinois Vehicle Code is amended  by adding  
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Sections 1-140.10 and 11-1516 and by changing Section 1-146 as 
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follows:
 
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    (625 ILCS 5/1-140.10  new)
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    Sec. 1-140.10. Low-speed electric bicycle. A 2 or 3-wheeled 
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device with fully operable pedals and an electric motor of less 
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than 750 watts (one horsepower), whose maximum speed on a paved 
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level surface, when powered solely by such a motor while ridden 
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by an operator who weighs 170 pounds, is less than 20 miles per 
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hour. 
 



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    (625 ILCS 5/1-146)  (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 1-146)


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    Sec. 1-146. Motor vehicle. Every vehicle which is 
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self-propelled and
every vehicle which is
propelled by electric 
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power obtained from overhead trolley wires, but not
operated 
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upon rails, except for vehicles moved solely by human power,  
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and
motorized wheelchairs, and low-speed electric bicycles. 
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For this Act, motor vehicles are divided into two
divisions:

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    First Division: Those motor vehicles which are designed for 
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the carrying
of not more than 10 persons.

 


 






SB0236
- 2 -
LRB096 03293 AJT 13311 b




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    Second Division: Those motor vehicles which are designed 
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for carrying
more than 10 persons, those motor vehicles 
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designed or used for living
quarters, those
motor vehicles 
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which are designed for pulling or carrying freight, cargo
or 
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implements of husbandry, and those motor vehicles of
the First 
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Division remodelled for use and used
as motor vehicles of the 
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Second Division.

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(Source: P.A. 85-1010.)






 
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    (625 ILCS 5/11-1516 new)

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    Sec. 11-1516. Low-speed electric bicycles.
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    (a) A person may operate a low-speed electric bicycle only 
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if: (i) the person has a valid current Illinois driver's 
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license, regardless of classification; and (ii) the person is 
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at least 16 years of age.
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    (b) A person may not operate a low-speed electric bicycle 
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at a speed greater than 20 miles per hour upon any highway, 
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street, or roadway. 
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    (c) A person may not operate a low-speed electric bicycle 
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on a sidewalk. 
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    (d) Except as otherwise provided in this Section, the 
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provisions of this Article XV that apply to bicycles also  apply 
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to low-speed electric bicycles.