Chicago, IL Mobility & Curb Rules: E-Bike Classes (2026)
Key Facts
- Class 3 sidewalk rule
- Banned on all sidewalks citywide
- Class 3 minimum age
- 16 years old
- Class 2 motor cutoff
- Disengages when brakes applied
- Class 1 & 3 motor cutoff
- Disengages when pedaling stops
- Default fine
- $50 to $200 per offense
Summary
Chicago treats Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes like regular bicycles on streets and bike paths, but bans Class 3 e-bikes from every sidewalk and requires Class 3 riders to be at least 16.
Except as provided in Sections 9-36-020, 9-40-060, 9-52-020, and 9-52-040, the provisions of Title 9 of this Code that apply to bicycles shall also apply to low-speed electric bicycles. ... No person may ride a Class 3 low-speed electric bicycle upon any sidewalk. ... Only a person 16 years of age or older may operate a Class 3 low-speed electric bicycle.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-74: Current through Council Journal of June 17, 2026).
Full Breakdown
Chicago's traffic code applies the same rules that govern ordinary bicycles to all three classes of low-speed electric bicycles, with a few carve-outs. Class 1 and Class 3 e-bikes must cut power when the rider stops pedaling, while Class 2 e-bikes must cut power when the brakes are applied. Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes are allowed on streets, protected bike lanes, and any sidewalk open to regular bicycles. Class 3 e-bikes are barred from every sidewalk citywide and can only be operated by someone 16 or older.
Violations & Fines
Riding a Class 3 e-bike on a sidewalk violates MCC § 9-52-020 and draws Chapter 9-52's default fine of $50 to $200 per offense under § 9-52-010(d), since no separate penalty is set for this section.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I ride a Class 3 e-bike on the sidewalk in Chicago?
How old do you have to be to ride a Class 3 e-bike in Chicago?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Chicago
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E-Bike Classes in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Cook County handle e-bike classes.