after alot of digging, the major bike paths that run through Cook,Kane,Dupage,Mchenry and Lake Counties are still not in the loop with the low speed bike law, they are assuming we fall into a moped/ motor vehicle category with out identifying the fact that our bikes have been removed from the motor vehicle definition and been redefined to a bicycle or "low speed bicycle" with the same rights as bicycles.
Also it does seem that the majority of these long bike paths or rails to trails are regulated by the county they are in, for example you are able to use an "E-bike" in McHenry county only if it is possible that the bike can't travel faster than 15 mph.Which in itself is a joke because i know i can pedal faster than 25 mph or at least could in my prime, so what does that mean,regular bicycles need to be outlawed because they can go faster than 15 mph ?!?!?
http://www.mccdistrict.org/web/ab-FAQ.htm
here is an example of how extensive our bike paths are thru northern Illinois
http://02de1d0.netsolhost.com/blog1/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/gitsegsmap1.gif
what it is not showing on that map is,that at the end of county or beginning of a new county the bike path is handled by the county that it is in.Or unless crossing thru a state park.
I know this will bring the argument of the bicycle "purist" that we have no right and all the other smack they talk. But the law gave us the permission to be equal to bicycles,we should have access to these paths as long as we follow the same rules.
2009/2010 Law Update for Law Enforcement
Illinois Secretary of State Police
Training Section
17
625 ILCS 5/1-140.10 new, 625 ILCS 5/1-140.15 new, 625 ILCS 5/1-146, 625 ILCS 5/11-1516 new
“Low Speed Electric Bike”
Effective Date: 01/01/10
Public Act: 96-0125 Senate Bill: 0236
Synopsis:
Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Defines a low-speed electric bicycle as a 2 or 3-wheeled device with fully operable pedals and an electric motor of less than 750 watts (one horsepower), whose maximum speed on a paved level surface, when powered solely by such a motor while ridden by an operator who weighs 170 pounds, is less than 20 miles per hour. Excludes low-speed electric bicycles from the definition of "motor vehicle". Prohibits operation of a low-speed electric bicycle at a speed greater than 20 miles per hour upon any highway, street, or roadway. Prohibits operation of a low-speed electric bicycle on a sidewalk. Provides that, except as otherwise provided, the provisions of the Article of the Code dealing with bicycles also apply to low-speed electric bicycles. Adds a definition for a "low-speed gas bicycle" and treats a low-speed gas bicycle the same as a low-speed electric bicycle in a provision regulating the use of low-speed bicycles and a provision excluding low-speed bicycles from the definition of a motor vehicle. Removes the requirement that a person have a valid current Illinois driver's license to operate an electric bicycle.
Excerpt from the Public Act
(625 ILCS 5/1-140.10 new)
Sec. 1-140.10. Low-speed electric bicycle. The term
"low-speed electric bicycle" has the same meaning ascribed to
it by Section 38 of the Consumer Product Safety Act (15 U.S.C.
Sec. 2085).
(625 ILCS 5/1-140.15 new)
Sec. 1-140.15. Low-speed gas bicycle. A 2 or 3-wheeled
device with fully operable pedals and a gasoline motor of less
than one horsepower, whose maximum speed on a paved level
surface, when powered solely by such a motor while ridden by an
operator who weighs 170 pounds, is less than 20 miles per hour.
(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,
and motorized wheelchairs, low-speed electric bicycles, 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 remodeled for use and used as motor vehicles of the
Second Division.
(Source: P.A. 85-1010.)
(625 ILCS 5/11-1516 new)
Sec. 11-1516. Low-speed bicycles.
(a) A person may operate a low-speed electric bicycle or
low-speed gas bicycle only if the person is at least 16 years
of age.
(b) A person may not operate a low-speed electric bicycle
or low-speed gas bicycle at a speed greater than 20 miles per
hour upon any highway, street, or roadway.
A person may not operate a low-speed electric bicycle
or low-speed gas bicycle on a sidewalk.
(d) Except as otherwise provided in this Section, the provisions of this Article XV that apply to bicycles also apply to low-speed electric bicycles and low-apeed gas bicycles.
2009/2010 Law Update for Law Enforcement
Illinois Secretary of State Police
Training Section
18
