Illinois and Queensland Implement New E-Mobility Safety Laws

Governments in Illinois and Queensland have launched separate regulatory crackdowns on electric micromobility devices following a rise in accidents and injuries. In Illinois, JB Pritzker signed Senate Bill 3484 on August 26, establishing the state's first comprehensive safety standards for e-bikes, scooters, electric unicycles, and skateboards. Effective January 1, 2027, the law creates a tiered system where high-speed e-bikes exceeding 28 mph are regulated as motorcycles, requiring a driver's license, title, registration, and insurance. The legislation also prohibits low-speed e-bikes from sidewalks and limits high-speed scooters to 28 mph, with violators facing fines and vehicle impoundment.

Simultaneously, the Queensland Government in Australia began enforcing the second phase of its e-mobility reforms on August 31, 2026. These laws mandate that riders be at least 16 years old and hold a minimum learner's license, while parents may be fined if children under 16 ride illegally. This follows a first phase launched July 1 that empowered police to conduct random breath tests and seize illegal devices. Queensland authorities report that these measures have already resulted in over 1,700 fines and the seizure of nearly 400 illegal devices.