Electric Scooters are legal - within the relevant regulations
Illinois has now moved away from the hands-off approach and brought in specific regulation for electric scooters.
Illinois made a major leap in legislative clarity with Public Act 103-0899, which went into effect on August 9, 2024. This law finally provides a state-wide definition for "electric scooters" and creates a standard framework that cities must follow if they choose to authorize them.
Under the new state-wide framework, electric scooters are officially defined as devices weighing less than 100 lbs, equipped with handlebars and an electric motor, and capable of a maximum speed of 20 mph.
State-Wide Regulation:
Minimum Age: Per state law, you must be 18 years or older to operate a low-speed electric scooter on public ways.
Licensing: No driver’s license, vehicle registration, or insurance is required for scooters meeting the "low-speed" criteria.
Roadway Access: Scooters are permitted on public roads with a speed limit of 30 mph or lower and fewer than four lanes. They are strictly prohibited on state highways and any road with a limit above 35 mph.
Equipment: For night riding, you must have a white front lamp (visible from 500 ft) and a red rear reflector or light.
A working brake is mandatory.
City-Specific Power:
While the state provides the definitions, a municipality must specifically authorize e-scooters for them to be legal in that jurisdiction.
Chicago: The city has moved beyond pilot programs into a permanent regulatory phase. You must not ride on sidewalks; you are required to use bike lanes or the roadway. In certain areas of the Central Business District (The Loop), you are required to dismount and walk.
The "Lock-To" Rule: Chicago requires that shared scooters be locked to a fixed object (like a bike rack or sign pole) at the end of a ride.
As a private owner of a Bo Model M this doesn't apply to your parking, but it goes without saying you should still park upright and out of the way.
Suburban Illinois: Some suburbs (like Leyden Township) have recently adopted the state standards word-for-word, while others have introduced specific "No-Ride Zones" near schools or parks.
Disclaimer: Bo USA Inc. endeavours to keep these documents up to date and relevant, however does not in any manner guarantee the accuracy of the included findings regarding electric scooter laws in the United States. Always carry out secondary research to validate any statement - and refer directly to the relevant authority before presuming accuracy.
Electric scooter riders or those considering to purchase or begin riding electric scooters should refer to their local governments to obtain the most up-to-date information on the applicable, local legal standing of scooters.
The Bo Model-M: Since the electric scooter is legal in Illinois, it is worth investing in a vehicle that is going to have a real integrity and quality to its manufacture. This means it will bring you pleasure every time you use it.
To that end, it is interesting to know that Bo is the only electric scooter designed and engineered by a team of real car guys. Where the rest of the scooter industry took plasticky toys and ruggedised them, we started with a blank sheet of paper to develop the best vehicle in the world for local journeys.
Of course, you can only really feel the benefit of that when you ride it for yourself; that is why we give an extraordinary 60 day return policy and have a customer response team full of the engineers who made it. When you contact Bo, you're going straight to the source.
Visit the Model M page - click here
Learn more about how we made the 'M' - click here
Go watch a Youtube about the Model-M - click here
Return to the State-by-State regulation page - click here
