Chicago recently saw a sharp increase in sidewalk citations for E-Bikes and E-Scooters. This is a clear sign that the city is stepping up enforcement as micromobility use accelerates. This trend is also consistent with many other municipalities creating stricter laws around e-bikes and e-scooters. As riders flood the streets and sidewalks, more people are getting hurt. The message is clear: riding in the wrong place is no longer a minor warning and can lead to real consequences.
Why Increased Enforcement Matters for Riders and Pedestrians
Pursuant to the Chicago Municipal Code and CDOT regulations, e-bikes and e-scooters must follow the same rules and regulations that apply to conventional bicycles and shared micromobility devices. That means:
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Riders may not operate scooters on sidewalks; shared e-scooters are specifically prohibited from sidewalk operation under Chicago’s e-scooter program rules. Per § 9-52-020 sidewalk operation is only permitted where officially designated or prohibited entirely for certain devices.
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Shared e-scooters must be operated in the street or in designated bike lanes where bicycles are permitted.
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Shared scooters are typically allowed for use between specified hours (often from early morning to midnight) under city program terms, with requirements for rider age and operation similar to bicycle rules.
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Operators of licensed scooter sharing services are required to educate riders about proper operation (including sidewalk prohibitions and yielding to pedestrians) and may employ geofencing or audible alerts to discourage sidewalk riding.
Sidewalk riding by E-Bikes and E-Scooters riders may seem convenient, but it often creates serious hazards. Sidewalks are meant for pedestrians, not fast-moving wheels, and when electric riders move quickly through crowded walkways, both riders and walkers are at risk.
At the same time, cyclists on the street face unpredictable infrastructure, gaps in protected bike lanes, and drivers who do not always share the road. The city’s increasing citations are a reminder that rules matter, but enforcement alone is not enough if safe lanes do not exist.
Chicago Laws and Shared Micromobility Regulations
Prohibited Sidewalk Operation
Chicago explicitly prohibits shared e-scooters from being ridden on sidewalks. This aligns with CDOT’s rules for the e-Scooter Share Pilot Program: scooters must be used on roads and in bike lanes where permitted, not on pedestrian walkways.
Scooter Share Licensing & Operational Requirements
Under Chicago Municipal Code Chapter 9-103 (Scooter Sharing Ordinance), operators must obtain a license to provide shared scooters and comply with operational requirements that support rider safety and pedestrian access. These include:
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Educating riders on safety, responsible riding, and proper parking;
Ensuring scooters are parked correctly with clear paths for pedestrians;
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Using geo-fencing technology to restrict operation in certain areas for safety or special events;
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Licensing conditions that may cap first-ride speeds (e.g., initial speed limits for new users).
These rules operate alongside the broader bicycle statutes in the Chicago Municipal Code and Illinois Vehicle Code, under which e-bikes and e-scooters are generally treated similarly to bicycles for purposes of traffic laws and rights of way.
What This Means for Chicago’s Biking Community
For riders, increased enforcement means you must know your rights and responsibilities. E-Bikes and E-Scooters belong in the street or in marked bike lanes, not on sidewalks. As sidewalk citations rise, riders who default to sidewalks for convenience are putting themselves and others at risk.
For pedestrians, the crackdown should offer some relief. It is an effort to reclaim sidewalks for foot traffic and reduce the danger of electric riders in walking spaces.
But real safety progress requires more than ticketing. Chicago needs a connected network of protected bike lanes, clearer infrastructure, and more public education for all road users.
Keating Law Offices: Dedicated to Protecting Chicago’s Cyclists and Pedestrians
At Keating Law Offices, we do not just handle accidents, we ride the same streets you do. We built our practice around biker’s rights and pedestrian safety, and we see firsthand the daily hazards cyclists face in Chicago.
We know the law and we live it. Our attorneys understand Illinois and Chicago rules governing bicycles, E-Bikes, and E-Scooters. We fight for people harmed by negligence, reckless conduct, or unsafe infrastructure. When enforcement is not enough and poor decisions or poor street design cause injury, we are ready to help.
We believe in fair and common-sense safety for everyone. Enforcement should be part of a broader effort that includes better lanes, clearer rules, and respect among all road users.
Whether you’re a daily commuter, a weekend rider, or a pedestrian, you deserve safe streets and fair treatment. And when an injury occurs, you deserve a legal team who understands those streets.
What You Can Do — And When To Call Keating Law Offices
Ride where it is legal. Use bike lanes or street lanes, especially as sidewalk enforcement increases. Document everything. After any collision or incident, photos, video, and witness information are extremely helpful.
Do not try to navigate the aftermath of an injury alone. If you or someone close to you has been hurt while biking, using an E-Scooter, or walking, contact Keating Law Offices for a free consultation. We will explain your rights, review your case, and help you pursue the justice you deserve.
If you are injured in a bicycle accident, you deserve accountability and fairness. Don’t let the actions of a negligent or reckless driver turn your life upside down. Rather, protect your rights and seek legal help from our experienced attorneys at Keating Law Offices.
Contact us and schedule a free consultation to understand the legal rights pertaining to injured cyclists, e-scooter riders and pedestrians.
Call us today at 833-CALL-KLO or email Info@KeatingLegal.com and let us guide you through the process to obtain the best possible outcome for your case.
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Chicago Municipal Code — Sidewalk and Operation Rules
1. Chicago Municipal Code § 9-52-020 — Riding Bicycles on Sidewalks and Certain Roadways
“Unless the prohibition imposed by subsection (c) or (d) applies, a person may ride a bicycle upon a sidewalk along a business street only if such sidewalk has been officially designated and marked as a bicycle route, or such sidewalk is used to enter the nearest roadway, intersection, or designated bicycle path, or to access a bicycle share station…
(c) Bicycles shall not be operated on Lake Shore Drive or on any public way where the operation of bicycles has been prohibited and signs have been erected indicating such prohibition.
(d) No person may ride a Class 3 low-speed electric bicycle upon any sidewalk.”
2. Chicago Municipal Code § 9-52-010 — Rights and Duties (Electric Bicycles)
“(d) No person may ride a Class 3 low-speed electric bicycle upon any sidewalk.”
This reinforces that Class 3 e-bikes (higher-speed electric bicycles) are prohibited on sidewalks under all conditions.
3. Chicago Municipal Code § 9-52-125 — Low-Speed Electric Delivery Bicycles
“(e) No person shall operate or park a low-speed electric delivery bicycle upon any sidewalk.”
This applies the sidewalk prohibition to low-speed electric delivery bicycles as well.
4. Chicago Municipal Code Provisions on Scooter Operation (from Scooter Sharing Operational Rules)
“(i) scooters are permitted to be operated only on the City’s bike lanes or paths; (ii) except as otherwise provided in Section 9-52-020 of this Code, scooters cannot be operated on sidewalks…”
This language, part of the Scooter Sharing operational requirements under Chapter 9-103, states that scooters must be operated in bike lanes or on streets and cannot be operated on sidewalks, consistent with local shared-scooter program rules.
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