SB1960 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB103 26928 MXP 53292 b

103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2023 and 2024
SB1960

Introduced 2/9/2023, by Sen. David Koehler

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

625 ILCS 5/1-140.11 new
625 ILCS 5/1-146	from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 1-146
625 ILCS 5/1-217	from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 1-217
625 ILCS 5/11-1518 new

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Defines "low-speed electric scooter". Makes changes to the definitions of "motor vehicle" and "vehicle". Provides that a person may not operate a low-speed electric scooter without a driver's license, instruction permit, or State identification card and unless he or she is 16 years of age or older. Provides that a person may operate a low-speed electric scooter where the operation of bicycles is permitted, and shall have all of the rights and shall be subject to all of the duties applicable to the rider of a bicycle. Provides requirements for lamps and reflectors for use at nighttime. Prohibits the equipping or use of sirens, with the exception of scooters that are police vehicles or fire department vehicles. Provides a requirement for brakes. Restricts an entity from operating a low-speed electric scooter business within a municipality unless the municipality authorizes such by local ordinance. Effective immediately.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning transportation.

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

Section 5. The Illinois Vehicle Code is amended by changing Sections 1-146 and 1-217 and by adding Sections 1-140.11 and 11-1518 as follows:

(625 ILCS 5/1-140.11 new)

Sec. 1-140.11. Low-speed electric scooter. A device weighing less than 100 pounds, with 2 or 3 wheels, handlebars, and a floorboard that can be stood upon while riding, that is solely powered by an electric motor and human power, and whose maximum speed, with or without human propulsion on a paved level surface, is no more than 20 miles per hour. "Low-speed electric scooter" does not include a moped, motor-driven cycle, motor vehicle, or vehicle.

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

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

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

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

(Source: P.A. 96-125, eff. 1-1-10.)

(625 ILCS 5/1-217) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 1-217)

Sec. 1-217. Vehicle. Every device, in, upon or by which any person or property is or may be transported or drawn upon a highway or requiring a certificate of title under Section 3-101(d) of this Code, except devices moved by human power, low-speed electric bicycles, low-speed electric scooters, devices used exclusively upon stationary rails or tracks and snowmobiles as defined in the Snowmobile Registration and Safety Act.

For the purposes of this Code, unless otherwise prescribed, a device shall be considered to be a vehicle until such time it either comes within the definition of a junk vehicle, as defined under this Code, or a junking certificate is issued for it.

For this Code, vehicles are divided into 2 divisions:

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

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

(Source: P.A. 92-812, eff. 8-21-02.)

(625 ILCS 5/11-1518 new)

Sec. 11-1518. Low-speed electric scooters.

(a) A person may operate a low-speed electric scooter where the operation of bicycles is permitted, including, but not limited to, bicycle lanes and bicycle paths, and shall have all of the rights and shall be subject to all of the duties applicable to the rider of a bicycle under this Code, except as otherwise provided in this Section, and except for provisions that by their nature can have no application, including subsection (a) of Section 11-1503.

(b) A person may not operate a low-speed electric scooter without a driver's license, instruction permit, or State identification card.

(c) A person may not operate a low-speed electric scooter unless he or she is 16 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) Notwithstanding any other provision within this Section, an entity may not operate a low-speed electric scooter business within a municipality unless the municipality authorizes the provisions of this Section by local ordinance.

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.