Oak Park, IL Mobility & Curb Rules: E-Bike Classes (2026)
Key Facts
- Class 1 & 2 assist cutoff
- 20 mph
- Class 3 assist cutoff
- 28 mph
- Sidewalk riding
- Prohibited Villagewide for all classes
- Minimum age, Class 1/2
- 15 years old
- Minimum age, Class 3
- 16 years old
- Ordinance expires
- 11:59 p.m., December 31, 2026
- Adopted by
- Ordinance 26-150
Summary
Oak Park's e-bike ordinance, added by Ordinance 26-150 as new Village Code Article 12, sorts electric bicycles into three classes by top speed: Class 1 and Class 2 cut off assistance at 20 mph, Class 3 at 28 mph. All three may use streets, roads and bicycle lanes, but never sidewalks, and riders under 15 or 16 may not operate them.
LOW-SPEED ELECTRIC BICYCLE: ... A bicycle equipped with fully operable pedals and an electric motor of less than 750 watts, and that falls within one of the following classes: 1. Class 1 low-speed electric bicycle: A bicycle equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling and that ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches 20 miles per hour. ... ... 3. Class 3 low-speed electric bicycle: A bicycle equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling and that ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches 28 miles per hour. ... ... A. A low-speed electric bicycle may be operated on any highway, street, roadway authorized for use by bicycles, including, but not limited to, bicycle lanes, or bicycle path unless operation is prohibited by law or posted signage. ... ... C. No person shall operate a Class 1 or Class 2 low-speed electric bicycle unless the operator is at least 15 years of age. D. No person shall operate a Class 3 low-speed electric bicycle unless the operator is at least 16 years of age.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-9: Code current through: Ord. 26-159, passed - -2026).
Full Breakdown
Ordinance 26-150, passed under the Village's home-rule authority, added Article 12 (E-Bikes, E-Scooters, and Mobility Devices) to Chapter 15 of the Village Code. H, must carry a speedometer. Section 15-12-2 governs where and how e-bikes may operate. All classes may run on any highway, street or roadway authorized for bicycles, including bicycle lanes and paths, unless a specific law or posted sign prohibits it, but no class may ever operate on a Village sidewalk. Class 1 and Class 2 riders must be at least 15 years old; Class 3, which reaches the higher speed, requires the rider to be at least 16.
Riders under 18 may not carry a passenger unless the passenger is a sibling, step-sibling, child or stepchild and the bike is built for two. Class 2 bikes must disengage the motor when the brakes are applied, while Class 1 and Class 3 bikes must disengage when the rider stops pedaling. on December 31, 2026 unless the Village Board separately acts to extend or make the e-bike, e-scooter and mobility-device rules permanent.
Violations & Fines
Article 12 does not set its own fine schedule for e-bike violations. Under the Village's general penalty ordinance, Village Code Section 1-1-5, any Village Code violation lacking a specific penalty is punishable by a fine of not less than $20 and not exceeding $750, and each day a violation continues counts as a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between a Class 1, 2 and 3 e-bike in Oak Park?
Can I ride an e-bike on the sidewalk in Oak Park?
How old do you have to be to ride an e-bike in Oak Park?
Is Oak Park's e-bike ordinance permanent?
Sources & Official References
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