§ 11-1518 — Low-speed electric scooters

(a) Subject to the restrictions of this Section, a municipality, park district, forest preserve district, or conservation district may authorize and regulate the operation of low-speed electric scooters within the unit of local government on any or all highways under their respective jurisdiction, sidewalks, trails, or other public right-of-way where the operation of bicycles is permitted. The use of low-speed electric scooters within any municipality, park district, forest preserve district, or conservation district is allowed only if authorized by the municipality, park district, forest preserve district, or conservation district under this Section. Any authorization or regulation by a park district, forest preserve district, or conservation district applies only on property owned, managed, or leased by the park district, forest preserve district, or conservation district. (a-5) Subject to the restrictions of this Section, the Department of Natural Resources may authorize and regulate the operation of low-speed electric scooters on any or all properties owned, managed, or leased by the Department of Natural Resources including, but not limited to, sidewalks, trails, or other public rights-of-way where the operation of bicycles is permitted. The use of low-speed electric scooters within any property that is owned, managed, or leased by the Department of Natural Resources is allowed only if authorized by the Department of Natural Resources. The Department of Natural Resources is authorized to adopt administrative rules for the regulation of low-speed electric scooters on any and all properties owned, managed, or leased by the Department of Natural Resources. (b) A person may not operate a low-speed electric scooter on a highway with a posted speed limit in excess of 35 mph. (c) A person may not operate a low-speed electric scooter unless he or she is 18 years of age or older. (d) A low-speed electric scooter may be parked in the same manner and at the same locations as a bicycle may be parked. (e) Every low-speed electric scooter when in use at nighttime shall be equipped with a lamp on the front that emits a white light visible from a distance of at least 500 feet to the front and with a red reflector on the rear that is visible from all distances from 100 feet to 600 feet to the rear when directly in front of lawful lower beams of headlamps on a motor vehicle, except that a lamp emitting a steady or flashing red light visible from a distance of 500 feet to the rear may be used in addition to or instead of the red reflector. (f) A low-speed electric scooter shall not be equipped with nor shall any person use upon a low-speed electric scooter any siren. This subsection does not apply to a low-speed electric scooter that is a police vehicle or fire department vehicle. (g) Every low-speed electric scooter shall be equipped with a brake that will adequately control movement of and stop and hold the low-speed electric scooter. (h) A person may not operate a low-speed electric scooter while carrying any package, bundle, or article that prevents the operator from keeping at least one hand upon the handlebars. (i) A person may not use a low-speed electric scooter to carry more than one person at a time. A person operating a low-speed electric scooter may not attach himself or herself or the scooter to any other vehicle being operated on the public right-of-way. (j) A person may not operate a low-speed electric scooter upon any public highway in the State while under the influence of alcohol or any drug. (k) The use of low-speed electric scooters is not permitted on State highways. (l) Every low-speed electric scooter shall be well-maintained and in good operating condition.

Legislative History

(Source: P.A. 103-899, eff. 8-9-24.)