I saw alot of back and forth debate about the laws in IL (moped laws confuse people and cops)
I sent a clear, detailed email to the Sec of state office with no wiggle room.
Q:
MESSAGE:
I am about to install a 48cc motor to a bicycle to make a "low-speed gas bicycle" (625 ILCS 5/11-1516 new) to ride on rural country roads.
There is a lot of confusion online about legalities.
reading (625 ILCS 5/11-1516 new) by itself seems to imply the bike is legal to ride without registration/license/insurance when built and operated under the restrictions listed. Am I correct in that?
when letting others ride my bike, as long as they are over 16 years of age, are there any other requirements? (drivers license? Helmet?)
A:
Thank you for directing your questions to the Office of the Secretary of State via the Internet.
In general, low speed bicycles must follow the Rules of the Road for bicycles. A person operating a low speed bicycle does not need a valid driver's license, insurance or registration plates. Helmets use is not required.
625 ILCS 5/11-1516. Low-speed bicycles
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-speed gas bicycles.
(Source: P.A. 96-125, § 5.)
Here is a hyperlink to the Rules of the Road for Bicycles:
http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/publications/pdf_publications/dsd_a143.pdf
cb
I sent a clear, detailed email to the Sec of state office with no wiggle room.
Q:
MESSAGE:
I am about to install a 48cc motor to a bicycle to make a "low-speed gas bicycle" (625 ILCS 5/11-1516 new) to ride on rural country roads.
There is a lot of confusion online about legalities.
reading (625 ILCS 5/11-1516 new) by itself seems to imply the bike is legal to ride without registration/license/insurance when built and operated under the restrictions listed. Am I correct in that?
when letting others ride my bike, as long as they are over 16 years of age, are there any other requirements? (drivers license? Helmet?)
A:
Thank you for directing your questions to the Office of the Secretary of State via the Internet.
In general, low speed bicycles must follow the Rules of the Road for bicycles. A person operating a low speed bicycle does not need a valid driver's license, insurance or registration plates. Helmets use is not required.
625 ILCS 5/11-1516. Low-speed bicycles
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-speed gas bicycles.
(Source: P.A. 96-125, § 5.)
Here is a hyperlink to the Rules of the Road for Bicycles:
http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/publications/pdf_publications/dsd_a143.pdf
cb