CHICAGO () — A statewide safety proposal designed to keep e-scooters and e-bikes off sidewalks is now headed to the governor’s desk after winning approval in both the Illinois House and Senate, amid growing concern from officials and pedestrians about riders putting people on foot at risk.
New video obtained by the I-Team shows e-scooter and e-bike riders moving along Chicago sidewalks, weaving around pedestrians and forcing people to dodge out of the way. The problem has lingered since shared scooter companies first came to the city, while more riders across Chicago and the rest of Illinois have also bought their own electric devices.
Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias said the practice of riding on sidewalks has grown into a statewide safety concern.
“It’s been a huge issue throughout Illinois, whether you live in Chicago, or the suburbs or even in rural areas. They’re on our sidewalks, causing mayhem, scaring people, scaring families. And again, sidewalks are for pedestrians,” Giannoulias said.
Giannoulias has been leading the push for the statewide e-scooter and e-bike safety measure, which would ban electric vehicles, including scooters and bikes, from being ridden on sidewalks across Illinois.
“Now that there’s a uniform state law, it helps create that clarity for law enforcement, so they understand it,” Giannoulias said.
While Giannoulias was speaking during an interview, an e-scooter rider passed close to the area where the interview was taking place.
“On a busy corner at North and Wells, that one was going especially fast,” Giannoulias said.
Data obtained by the I-Team shows Chicago police issued 57 citations through the end of June this year for those riding bicycles and scooters, including e-bikes and e-scooters, on city sidewalks.
That represents 73% fewer citations than during the same period in 2025. Asked whether police departments would actively enforce the law, Giannoulias said officers face competing demands but emphasized concerns about injuries.
“You know, I think that obviously there’s a lot on their plate, and especially talking with nurses and emergency staff at our hospitals, including worries, seeing that not just the number of injuries that have exploded, but the cracked skulls, arms, legs, deaths that are occurring,” Giannoulias said.
Chicago Police Department reports show there have been nine injury reports so far this year, including at least three involving serious injuries.
In a September 2025 report, the I-Team highlighted a case in which an e-bike seriously injured an East Chatham man.
The proposed law also includes age restrictions for riders based on the speed of the device.
Pedestrians interviewed by the I-Team said keeping riders off sidewalks is a priority.
“They definitely shouldn’t be on the sidewalk. It’s a hazard to people,” said Joe Klimschot, an Old Town neighborhood resident.
Violators can already face citations from Chicago police before the statewide law takes effect.
The Chicago Department of Transportation said it requires shared mobility operators to educate users about the rules and to activate technology alerts when riders travel on sidewalks. Shared companies are also required to take action when riders disregard rules.
E-scooters and e-bikes are required to ride in bike lanes or on the street, if there aren’t bike lanes.
