High-Speed E-Bikes Face New Licensing in Evanston

Riders of e-bikes faster than 28 mph will need a driver's license, insurance, a title, and state registration under the new Illinois law.

Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Electric Vehicles

High-Speed E-Bikes Face New Licensing in Evanston

Live Poll

Should Evanston require licenses and registration for high-speed e-bikes?

Evanston is drafting a city ordinance to align with a new Illinois state law regulating high-speed e-bikes and electric micromobility devices, which takes effect January 1. The state law replaces a patchwork of local rules with statewide standards for riders and devices.

Why it matters

Riders of Evanston's e-bikes and scooters will face new licensing, insurance, registration, and age requirements depending on their device's class and top speed. Giannoulias said unregulated micromobility devices have become a problem in Chicago, and high-powered devices becoming faster and more common make the stakes too high to leave them unregulated.

Riders of high-speed e-bikes must hold a driver's license, carry insurance, hold a title, and register the bike with the state. The state law sets minimum rider ages in tiers, with 15 for Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes and 16 for 28 mph pedal-assist and high-speed scooters.

The players

Gov. JB Pritzker

Illinois governor who signed the state e-bike law that sets statewide micromobility standards.

Alexi Giannoulias

Illinois official who made the e-bike law a top legislative priority and is running for mayor of Chicago.

The details

The state law sets standards for high-speed e-bikes and electric micromobility devices, replacing local ordinances with uniform statewide rules. Under the law, a high-speed e-bike, defined as one able to travel faster than 28 mph, requires a driver's license, insurance, a title, and state registration. Minimum rider ages are set by tier based on the e-bike's class and top speed. Evanston's draft ordinance is expected to largely mirror the state law, with some Evanston-specific tailoring possible before it goes to the city's Referrals Committee.

May 31: The Illinois legislative session ended.
August: Gov. JB Pritzker signed the state e-bike law.
January 1: The state e-bike law takes effect.

The Home Front

The Illinois law replaces a patchwork of local e-bike ordinances with a single statewide standard for high-speed devices. Evanston's response shows how municipalities will align local rules with the state framework rather than run separate regimes.

If you ride or store an e-bike or electric scooter, check its top speed and class to see which rider age, license, insurance, and registration rules apply under the state law. Keep your insurance and title documents on hand, since high-speed devices will require them starting January 1.

The takeaway

Before January 1, identify whether your e-bike or scooter exceeds 28 mph, because that single threshold determines whether you need a license, insurance, a title, and state registration. Check Evanston's ordinance once the draft is public, since it may add local rules on top of the state law.