The bill, submitted by Democratic state Rep. Katie Stuart, would amend the state's vehicle code to establish a 15 mph speed limit on bike paths. Stuart represents parts of Madison and St. Clair counties and has a district office in Collinsville.
Currently, there are no speed limits on bike paths in Illinois. The closest reference in the vehicle code Stuart aims to amend is a reference to alleys, where the speed limit in urban areas is 15 mph.
Stuart's proposal also includes low-speed electric bicycles, low-speed gas bicycles, motor-driven cycles and mopeds.
According to the Illinois Department of Transportation, "bicycle paths should be designed for a selected speed that is at least as high as the preferred speed of the faster bicyclists. In general, use a minimum design speed of 18 mph (30 km/h).
"However, where the grade exceeds 4.0% or where strong prevailing tail winds exist (e.g., along a lake or river), a design speed of 30 mph (50 km/h) is advisable."
IDOT also notes that "unpaved paths, where bicyclists tend to ride slower," should use a design speed of 14 mph.
Ride Illinois briefly weighs in on electric transportation, stating that "low-speed e-scooters and micromobility devices with a maximum speed of 10 miles per hour are permitted on bike lanes, side paths, multi-use trails, shared-use paths and sidewalks." In Chicago, laws and regulations are more e-bike-focused, with several suburban counties imposing a 15 mph limit on public bike paths, according to Suburban Chicago Bicycling.
Stuart's bill was filed Dec. 5 and has not yet been read on the House floor.
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