Illinois may be on the verge of a long-overdue and critical update to its traffic laws. Senate Bill 2285, currently pending in the General Assembly, proposes to amend the Illinois Vehicle Code’s definition of a bicycle to include human-powered and low-speed electric vehicles with two or more wheels.
This simple but powerful change will expand legal protections for thousands of Illinois cyclists—particularly those who ride adaptive bikes, adult tricycles, and other non-traditional vehicles for recreation, commuting, or mobility.
As a law firm dedicated to bicycle injury cases in Chicago, Keating Law strongly supports this bill. Here’s why it matters—and what it means for your rights on the road.
📜 What SB2285 Actually Says
Senate Bill 2285 proposes the following amendment to Section 1-106 of the Illinois Vehicle Code (625 ILCS 5/1-106):
Sec. 1-106. Bicycle. Every human-powered device and every low-speed electric bicycle, as defined in Section 1-140.10, with 2 or more wheels not less than 12 inches in diameter, operable pedals, and designated seats for the transportation of one or more persons.
This updated language removes the restrictive “two tandem wheels” phrasing that previously excluded any bicycle with a different wheel configuration—such as side-by-side tandems, tricycles, or handcycles.
🚲 Why This Matters: Protecting Adaptive and Trike Riders
Under the current Illinois law, bicycles are narrowly defined as vehicles with two tandem wheels. That means:
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Adult tricycles
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Side-by-side tandems
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Adaptive cycles for riders with disabilities
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Low-speed electric trikes...are not technically recognized as bicycles under Illinois law.
As a result, riders of these vehicles may lack the legal right to operate on roads, and more critically, may be denied protections in the event of a crash, including access to insurance coverage and eligibility for legal claims.
With Senate Bill 2285, these riders could finally gain clear legal recognition and be fully protected under Illinois vehicle laws.
🏙️ Chicago Cyclists Need Modern Legal Protections
As bicycle accident attorneys in Chicago, we’ve represented riders across all types of cycles—many of whom rely on adaptive or three-wheeled bikes due to injury, disability, or mobility issues. Until now, Illinois law has failed to keep up with modern mobility solutions and inclusive transportation.
Senate Bill 2285 will:
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Ensure equal legal treatment for riders using trikes and adaptive bikes
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Clarify rules for motorists, law enforcement, and courts
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Improve safety and access to bike infrastructure
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Support personal injury claims when non-traditional cyclists are injured due to driver negligence
📈 Illinois Finally Catching Up to Neighboring States
Illinois is currently the only state in the Midwest that narrowly defines a bicycle as a two-wheeled vehicle. States like Indiana, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, and Iowa already include multi-wheeled human-powered vehicles in their definitions of bicycles.
Senate Bill 2285 brings Illinois in line with regional and national standards, and sends a strong message: Illinois supports accessible, active transportation for all.
⚖️ Injured While Riding an Adaptive or Three-Wheeled Bike? We Can Help.
If you or a loved one has been injured while riding a trike, side-by-side tandem, or other adaptive cycle, your case may involve complex legal questions under current Illinois law. That’s why it’s critical to work with a firm that understands bicycle law inside and out.
At Keating Law, we fight for the rights of all cyclists—not just those on two wheels. We know how to handle insurance disputes, prove liability, and navigate legal gray areas.
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