The state of Illinois has passed a new law limiting where E-Bikes can be driven.
This new legislation comes as accidents involving the increasingly popular vehicle including two in Bloomington-Normal. It states that bikes that can go above 15 miles per hour are prohibited from being used on sidewalks. Usage on shared pathways, such as the Constitution Trail, is up to local government.
President of the Friends of the Constitution Trail, Patrick Dullard, said, “There’s been a lot of questions with clarifying where these vehicles can go.”
The Town of Normal will continue to allow the use of E-Bikes on the trail. Local police will still be prioritizing safety when it comes to the general use of the bikes as well as putting education before enforcement.
“We want people to be able to be on the trail, whether you’re on a bicycle, whether you’re walking a dog or just going for a walk with a friend,” said Normal police officer Brad Park, “all we want is for everyone to be safe.”
The law will go into effect January 1, 2027.