Bill

HB 3225

VEH CD-BICYCLE DEFINITION

104th Regular Session Introduced by Maura Hirschauer and 1 co-sponsor

Redefines bicycle to include both human-powered and certain low-speed electric vehicles, with two wheels of at least 12 inches and capacity for one or more passengers.

Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee

WeVote Research Nonpartisan

Bill Summary · HB 3225

Summary — HB 3225 (104th General Assembly): VEH CD — Bicycle Definition

Overview / Purpose

HB 3225 amends the Illinois Vehicle Code (625 ILCS 5/1-106) to revise the statutory definition of “bicycle.” The bill explicitly includes "low‑speed electric vehicles" (as defined in Section 1‑140.10) alongside human‑powered vehicles, and clarifies size and passenger design parameters for devices classified as bicycles.

Key provisions

Redefines “bicycle” to mean:
- Every human‑powered or low‑speed electric vehicle (referencing the statutory definition in Section 1‑140.10),
- With two or more wheels that are not less than 12 inches in diameter,
- Designed for the transportation of one or more persons.
Retains wheel‑size minimum (12 inches) and expands the design description to expressly permit vehicles carrying more than one person.

(Exact new statutory text: the bill substitutes the current Section 1‑106 language with the wording above.)

What this changes / who is affected

Vehicles newly categorized: Certain low‑speed electric vehicles (LSVs) and multi‑person pedal/electric cycles that meet the wheel‑size and speed/power criteria in Section 1‑140.10 may be treated under law as bicycles rather than as motor vehicles.
Stakeholders impacted:
- Cyclists and e‑bike/LSV riders — may gain or lose regulatory obligations depending on how other statutes apply to bicycles (equipment, helmet rules, permissible road/lanes).
- Local governments and planners — rules about where bicycles may operate (bike lanes, trails, sidewalks) and related infrastructure use may apply to more vehicle types.
- Law enforcement — classification affects enforcement of registration, licensing, and equipment requirements.
- Manufacturers/retailers — product compliance and labeling may be affected if certain LSVs are treated as bicycles.
- Insurers and vehicle registration agencies — potential downstream effects if devices shift between motor‑vehicle and bicycle categories.

Notable legal context

The bill references Section 1‑140.10 for the definition of “low‑speed electric vehicle”; that section contains the technical thresholds (power and speed) that determine whether an electric vehicle qualifies as low‑speed for purposes of this change. Review of Section 1‑140.10 is necessary to know precisely which electric vehicles are included.

Procedural status & timeline (select highlights)

Filed/Introduced: February 18–24, 2025 (Rep. Lilian Jiménez).
Passed (House): May 10, 2025 (engrossed).
Received in Senate: May 12, 2025.
Committee activity: Assigned to Transportation: Vehicles & Safety; multiple committee hearings and substitute considered; reported favorably as substituted and later reported favorably without amendments.
Current status: Rule 19(a) / Re‑referred to Rules Committee (as of March 21, 2025 entry).
Companion bill: SB 2101.

Practical next steps for readers

To determine concrete operational impacts, compare the new definition with (a) Section 1‑140.10 (LSV technical criteria) and (b) other Illinois statutes and local ordinances that reference “bicycle” (e.g., equipment rules, registration exemptions, where bicycles may be operated).

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.