The Bloomington City Council is looking into how impending changes to state law related to electric bikes and scooters could affect the city.
The State of Illinois already regulates “low speed” e-bikes, but the law that goes into effect at the beginning of 2027 creates classes of single-rider, electric-powered vehicles with different regulatory rules associated with each.
The Illinois Secretary of State office also has a list of types of small electric vehicles and their current state of regulation.
“This is one of the rules I’ve been reached out to [about] most,” Ward 9 council member Abby Scott said at the council's committee of the whole meeting on Monday.
A Class 1 low-speed electric bicycle only provides power when the rider is pedaling and tops out at 20 mph. A Class 2 low-speed e-bike’s motor can propel the vehicle without the rider pedaling, but still tops out at 20 mph. The operator of either class must be 15 years old or older.
A Class 3 low-speed e-bike assists only when the rider is pedaling and tops out at 28 mph. The operator must be 16 years old or older. Someone younger than 16 can ride on a Class 3 e-bike if the operator is 18 years old or older and the vehicle is designed for multiple passengers.
E-scooters, skateboards or unicycles are considered e-micromobility devices. That means the operator must be 16 years or older; the vehicles have a maximum speed limit of 28 mph.
“Having that language specified as to who can ride these devices goes a long way for us,” Bloomington Police Department patrol officer Chance Hilliard told the council.
All low-speed e-bikes can be used on streets, bike lanes and on paths and trails, but cannot be ridden on sidewalks. They also can be used on roads with speed limits of 35 mph or less, or on streets with a bike lane.
According to state law, mopeds and motorcycles do not count as low-speed e-bikes, and any e-bike that does not fall into the aforementioned categories will be considered the same as a motorcycle. Bikes with electric motors between 750 to 8,000 watts also will be considered the same as motorcycles.
That means those bikes will have to be registered with the Secretary of State’s office, the rider needs a license, and the driver must obey Illinois motor laws, including insurance requirements.
Those higher-speed e-bikes also are prohibited on “any highway, bicycle lane, bicycle path, shared-use path, off-road bicycle trail or natural surface trail designated for bicycle use.”
The community's Constitution Trail is considered shared use and thereby does not allow high-speed e-bikes.
But low-speed e-bikes are allowed on the trail, and council discussed the idea of implementing speed limits on the trail for those vehicles. Current city ordinance does not allow any motorized vehicles, but state law supersedes municipal ordinance.
Ward 3 council member Sheila Montney expressed concern over accidents on the trail because of the inclusion of e-bikes.
“It’s a significant culture change from how the trail is used in many of our areas,” she said.
Hilliard said the department already has responded to car accidents with smaller electric vehicles involved.
Riders cannot operate them under the influence, or carry a passenger unless the device is manufactured to carry multiple people.
All of the devices, as described in state law, must have working brakes. At night, they must have headlights and a taillight. Whether it’s a high- or low-speed e-bike, a vehicle violating these rules can be confiscated and impounded by police.
The law exempts electric-powered devices used as mobility aids for individuals with disabilities.
Toy vehicles, like small cars that run up to 10 mph and are intended for children 8 years old or younger, are allowed on sidewalks and bike paths.
The new state law goes into effect Jan. 1, 2027.
Vape vending machines
State law allows vape-device vending machines in liquor establishments as the machines are under the direct control and supervision of management.
A business would need a city and state tobacco license. State law allows the vending machines in spaces where only adults 21 and older can enter.
Bloomington does not have any "adult only" spaces, but does have tavern liquor licenses that require someone to be 21 or older to enter, and minors can only enter if they are with a parent or work at the establishment.
On Monday, Chris Spanos, the city's corporation counsel, presented the council with possible paths forward for regulating the vending machines in Bloomington.
Spanos said there are three popular options he saw among other Illinois municipalities — prohibit the vending machines altogether, allow them but prohibit self-service (meaning an employee must complete the transaction), or allow the vending machines, but include an electronic device that requires approval from the business on-site.
Two council members, Montney and Ward 7 representative Mollie Ward said they are against the idea of any self-service device.
“I don’t really understand why we would make it easier for people to potentially access these products, especially those under age,” Montney said.
Council members seemed confused over what the purpose of a vape vending machine would be if an employee behind the counter must complete the transaction. Spanos offered the example of a bar keeping a vape vending machine behind the counter.
Other members seemed interested in allowing them with extra precautions to prevent illegal and underage use.
City Clerk Leslie Yocum said she is not aware of any vape vending machines in the city and that no one has yet requested a tobacco license for one. A business that already has a tobacco license would be able to have a vape vending machine.
Yocum said vendors advertising the machines require identification before purchase. Spanos said the state law prohibits vapes being sold alongside other types of products inside the vending machine, like food.
The council did not take any votes or action on either e-bikes or vape vending machines.
