Ride Illinois

January 15, 2025

2025 Legislative Priorities

Again in 2025, Ride Illinois has established legislative priorities that aim to make it easier and safer for adults and children to ride a bicycle in Illinois. Our Advocacy Committee has worked diligently to identify priorities.

Continue reading to learn more. Contact us at [email protected] with questions or comments about our 2025 legislative priorities.

Allowing Municipalities to Reduce Speed Limits

Speed is a contributing factor in about 30% of crashes, according to available data. Ride Illinois and partners aim to make it easier for municipalities and agencies that own and maintain roads to reduce speed limits on roads they know are unsafe. Two Midwestern neighbors have made progress and we suggest that Illinois follow their lead:

Minnesota passed a law (see Subd. 5h) in 2023 that allows municipalities to reduce speed limits for some streets under the city’s jurisdiction without the need for costly engineering and traffic studies.
Michigan passed HB4012 in 2024 that essentially does the same as MN’s law.

Ride Illinois supports efforts to lower speed limits on Illinois roads. Reducing speed limits will save lives. In addition, investments in safe, connected infrastructure for bicyclists, pedestrians, and vulnerable roads users (VRUs) is desperately needed.

Permitted and Intended

This matter remains one of Ride Illinois’ top priorities. The Illinois Supreme Court ruling in the Alave v. City of Chicago case in December upheld the infamous Boub v. Wayne decision from 1998. It’s worth noting that Illinois is the only state in the country that recognizes bicyclists as permitted, but not intended users of the road, unless bicycle infrastructure available and/or signage is present.

Many municipalities in Illinois don’t have dedicated bike infrastructure. Due to the Illinois Supreme Court’s ruling, municipalities are discouraged from making their community more bike-friendly. This matter has run its course in the courts, so a legislative change is needed to recognize bicyclists as both permitted and intended users of Illinois roads.

Include Trikes in Legal Definition of a Bicycle

The Illinois Vehicle Code (625 ILCS 5/1-106) defines a bicycle as: Every device propelled by human power upon which any person may ride, having two tandem wheels except scooters and similar devices. From a legal standpoint, trikes and similar human-powered or low-speed electric vehicles cannot be legally be used on Illinois roads.

Ride Illinois strives to update the legal definition of a bicycle in the Vehicle Code. Our proposed, updated definition is: Every human-powered or low-speed electric vehicle with two or more wheels not less than 12” in diameter, designed for the transportation of one or more persons.

e-Bike Battery Regulation and OCEVs

E-bikes are game changers when it comes to sustainable transportation and increased physical activity for Illinois residents. Technology has outpaced regulation for several years, so we aim to address some of the negative aspects of the e-bike industry.

Two matters related to e-bikes are on our radar for 2025 which align with best practices in bike-friendly states:

Statewide e-bike battery standard: low-quality e-bike batteries have flooded the market in recent years, are a fire hazard, and have caused significant property damage. Instead of e-bike bans that limit transportation options and individuals’ mobility, Ride Illinois prefers to establish an e-bike battery standard at the state level. With support from People for Bikes, we are advocating for sensible battery standards that apply to e-bikes and e-mobility devices purchased and manufactured in Illinois.
Curbing Out-of-Class Electric Vehicles (OCEVs): Illinois recognizes three classes of e-bikes. Two- and three-wheeled vehicles that exceed 28 mph are defined in the Illinois Vehicle Code as low-speed electric scooters, motorcycles, or motor-driven cycles, regardless of whether they have working pedals or not. These faster devices must be clearly differentiated from e-bikes. Defining OCEVs is the first step for municipalities, counties, forest preserve districts, and other agencies to determine if and where these devices can be used.

Additional Priorities

In addition to those shared in this article, Ride Illinois is seeking opportunities to make progress on the following, relevant topics:

E-Bike Rebate or Incentive Program: there is little appetite in Springfield for new programs that require funding. But, we’ll continue to seek opportunities to establish a program for Illinois residents.
Increase IDNR’s capacity to build and maintain trails: most Midwestern states are actively investing in trails. In Illinois, IDNR plays a major role. Additional funding and staff is needed to compete with our neighbors.
Strengthening Bike & Walk education in schools: HB4799 requires that safe bike and walk education be taught in Illinois schools. Curriculum is needed to expand compliance. The statute must be strengthened to included penalties and/or incentives for schools and school districts.
Establish a Bike Caucus or Trails Caucus: identifying and collaborating with bike and trail champions in the Illinois House and Senate will help Ride Illinois and partners achieve long-term goals.

Learn More and Stay Informed

Click the buttons below to learn more about recently-introduced bills, at the state and federal level, pertaining to bicycling. And be sure to sign up for alerts and newsletters from Ride Illinois to stay informed!