Transportation Devices & Rules

Transportation Devices & Rules

The Prospect Heights Police Department encourages residents to familiarize themselves with the different types of transportation devices that exist to ensure that they understand the rules and the laws that regulate their use.

DefinitionsE Bike Ordinance Flyer PNG

Bicycle:  Every device propelled by human power upon which any person may ride, having two (2) tandem wheels except scooters and similar devices. (10-18-1)

Low-Speed Electric Bicycle: A bicycle equipped with fully operable pedals and an electric motor of less than 750 watts, and that meets the requirements of one of the three (3) classifications set forth in Section 1-140.10 of the Illinois Vehicle Code (625 ILCS 5/1-140.10). (10-18-1)

  1. "Class 1 low-speed electric bicycle" means a low-speed electric bicycle equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling and that ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches a speed of 20 miles per hour.
  2. "Class 2 low-speed electric bicycle" means a low-speed electric bicycle equipped with a motor that may be used exclusively to propel the bicycle and that is not capable of providing assistance when the bicycle reaches a speed of 20 miles per hour.
  3. "Class 3 low-speed electric bicycle" means a low-speed electric bicycle equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling and that ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches a speed of 28 miles per hour.

A "low-speed electric bicycle" is not a moped or a motor-driven cycle. (10-18-1)

Low-Speed Electric Scooter: A device weighing less than 100 pounds, with 2 or 3 wheels, handlebars, and a floorboard that can be stood upon while riding, which is solely powered by an electric motor and human power, and whose maximum speed, with or without human propulsion, is no more than 10 miles per hour. A person may not operate a low-speed electric scooter unless he or she is 18 years of age or older. Low-speed electric scooters may only be operated on highways or roadways with a posted speed limit of 35 mph or less. "Low-speed electric scooter" does not include a moped or motor-driven cycle. (10-18-1)

Gas-powered Bicycle: A two or three-wheeled device with fully operable pedals and a gasoline motor of less than one horsepower or 15 cubic centimeter displacement, whose maximum speed on a paved level surface, when powered solely by such a motor while ridden by an operator, is less than 20 miles per hour. (10-17-1)

Personal Mobility Device: Any electric-powered or electric-assisted device other than a low-speed electric bicycle or low-speed electric scooter, designed to transport one or more persons with an electric propulsion system, such as a motorized dirt-bike or motor-assisted skateboard, or any other similar devices. (10-18-1)

Off-Highway Vehicles

No off-highway vehicle, non-highway vehicle, or recreational off-highway vehicle shall be operated on any city street or sidewalk except when directly crossing a street, provided:

  • The crossing is made at an angle of approximately ninety degrees (90°) to the direction of the street, road, or highway, and at a place where no obstruction prevents a quick and safe crossing; and
  • The all-terrain vehicle or off highway motorcycle is brought to a complete stop before attempting a crossing; and
  • The operator of the all-terrain vehicle or off highway motorcycle yields the right of way to all pedestrian and vehicular traffic that constitutes a hazard; and
  • That when crossing a divided highway, the crossing is made only at an intersection of the highway with another public street, road, or highway.

All-terrain vehicle/Recreational Off-highway vehicle: Any motorized off-highway device designed to travel primarily off-highway, 50 inches or less in width, having a manufacturer's dry weight of 1,500 pounds or less, traveling on 3 or more non-highway tires, designed with a seat or saddle for operator use, and handlebars or steering wheel for steering control, except equipment such as lawnmowers. (625 ILCS 5/101.8)

Off-highway motorcycle: Any motorized device designed to travel primarily off-highway on 2 wheels, having a seat or saddle for the use of the operator, upon or by which any person, persons or property may be transported or drawn. (625 ILCS 5/1-153.1)

Motor-Driven Cycles and Similar

Every motorcycle and every motor scooter with less than 150 cubic centimeter piston displacement including motorized pedal cycles. (625 ILCS 5/1-145.001)

Moped: Motor-driven cycle, with or without optional power derived from manually operated pedals, whose speed attainable in one mile is at least 20 mph but not greater than 30 mph, and is equipped with a motor that produces 2 brake horsepower or less. If an internal combustion engine is used, the displacement shall not exceed 50 cubic centimeter displacement and the power drive system shall not require the operator to shift gears. (625 ILCS 5/1-148.2)

Electric personal assistive mobility device: A self-balancing 2 non-tandem wheeled device designed to transport only one person with an electric propulsion system that limits the maximum speed of the device to 15 miles per hour or less. (625 ILCS 5/1-117.7)

Other Motorized Devices

Motorized wheelchair: Any self-propelled vehicle, including a three-wheeled vehicle, designed for and used by a person with disabilities, that is incapable of a speed in excess of 8 miles per hour on level ground. (625 ILCS 5/1-148.3)

Mobile carrying device

  • Weighs less than 90 pounds, not including cargo
  • Max speed of 12.5 MPH
  • Designed to operate within 10 feet of the operator
  • Can only be operated on sidewalks and crosswalks
  • (625 ILCS 5/1-144.01)

Low-speed vehicle: Any 4-wheeled vehicle with a maximum speed greater than 20 miles per hour but not greater than 25 miles per hour that conforms with the federal motor vehicle safety standards set forth in 49 C.F.R. Part 571.500. (625 ILCS 5/1-140.7)