As electric bikes and scooters become more popular in Illinois, many people ask: Can you get a DUI on an e-bike? The answer is yes. Under Illinois law, you can be charged with driving under the influence (DUI) while operating an electric bicycle or scooter. This includes app-based rentals like Lime and Divvy.
If you’re caught impaired while riding, you can face many of the same consequences as someone operating a car. In this blog, we explain how Illinois law treats e-bikes and scooters in relation to DUI charges. Continue reading to learn more and how such a charge might impact your driver’s license.
Can You Get a DUI On a Bicycle in Illinois?
No, you can’t get a DUI on a regular bicycle (moved by human power) in Illinois. However, if you operate a motor vehicle while impaired by alcohol or drugs, you can be charged with DUI.
This includes:
- Electric scooters
- Electric bikes
- Motorcycles
- Mopeds
Even though Illinois law does not classify a non-motorized bicycle as a vehicle for DUI offenses, riding under the influence can still result in penalties. You could face tickets, arrests for public intoxication, or civil liability following an accident if you ride a bicycle while impaired.
How Illinois Defines Electric Bikes and Scooters
Under Illinois law, both electric bikes and electric scooters fall under the “vehicle” category. This means that a rider can face DUI penalties if they drive while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Illinois E-Bike Laws
Illinois law recognizes three classes of e-bikes based on top speed and assist type:
- Class 1 e-bikes go up to 20 mph and provide pedal-assist only, with the motor cutting off when pedaling stops.
- Class 2 e-bikes are throttle-powered, going up to 20 mph, with the motor disengaging via brakes.
- Class 3 e-bikes offer pedal-assist and go up to 28 mph.
All classes are still treated as vehicles, which is why DUI laws apply. This is why the question “Can you get a DUI on an e-bike?” has a clear affirmative answer.
Electric Scooter Laws in Illinois
Under Illinois and many local municipal codes, electric scooters are regulated vehicles. Riders must follow the rules of the road, ride in permitted areas, and obey traffic laws. Because this form of transportation meets the legal definition of a vehicle, riders can be charged with DUI.
Are Laws for Riders the Same as for Drivers of Cars and Trucks?
In many ways, yes. Although e-bikes and scooters are smaller, Illinois law applies most traffic and DUI regulations to all vehicles. Riders must:
- Follow traffic signals and road signs
- Ride in the same direction as traffic
- Yield appropriately
- Avoid riding while impaired
Even though e-bikes and scooters may not require a driver’s license to operate, the rider is still subject to DUI laws. In other words, the same standards that apply to car and truck drivers also apply to you if you’re on an electric bicycle or scooter.
How You Get a DUI On an Electric Scooter or E-Bike
Illinois DUI laws prohibit operating a vehicle when:
- Your BAC is 0.08% or higher OR
- You have a THC concentration of either 5 nanograms or more per milliliter of whole blood or 10 nanograms or more per milliliter of other bodily substance OR
- You have used any other controlled substance OR
- You’re impaired by medication
E-bikes and scooters can still reach high speeds, share the road with cars, and create hazards for pedestrians, vehicles, and riders themselves. For these reasons, Illinois enforces the same impairment laws.
Police may stop riders for:
- Swerving or unsafe maneuvering
- Riding into traffic
- Ignoring road signs
- Running red lights
- Causing or nearly causing an accident
- Falling or losing balance
Once stopped, officers can conduct field sobriety tests or request a chemical test. This often surprises people who assume bicycles and scooters fall under different rules.
DUI Penalties for E-Scooter and Bike Riders
A DUI charge on an electric bike or scooter carries many of the same penalties as one involving a car. These may include:
- Fines
- Jail time (depending on the severity or prior offenses)
- Mandatory alcohol/drug education
- Community service
- Suspension and revocation of your driver’s license
Some riders mistakenly believe that because they weren’t driving a car, the DUI “doesn’t really count.” That is incorrect. The DUI goes on your criminal record, affects future DUI penalties, and impacts your driving privileges.
How Might This DUI Affect Your Driver’s License?
This is the part that most riders don’t realize: A DUI on an electric scooter or bicycle can trigger a license suspension and revocation. Here’s how:
- Statutory Summary Suspension: If you fail or refuse a chemical test, you can face a driver’s license suspension under Illinois’ Statutory Summary Suspension laws.
- DUI Conviction Consequences: A DUI conviction, regardless of the vehicle, leads to a mandatory driver’s license revocation.
So when someone asks, “Can you get a DUI on a bike in Illinois and still lose your license?” the answer is yes.
Impact On Future Driving Privileges
Even if this is your first DUI, it sets a precedent. Future DUIs, whether while driving a car or riding an e-scooter or bike, lead to harsher penalties.
Other Consequences of an E-Bike or Scooter DUI
Beyond criminal penalties and license impacts, a DUI can affect many areas of your life. A conviction becomes part of your permanent record and is visible on background checks. This can negatively impact:
- Employment opportunities
- Professional licensing
- Apartment or housing applications
- Car insurance rates
Auto insurance companies often view a DUI as a major risk factor, even if no car was involved. This can lead to higher premiums and policy cancellation.
Professional Consequences
For people in certain professions, like transportation, education, government, and medical fields, a DUI can create serious employment issues.
When To Call an Attorney for Driver’s License Reinstatement
If you’re facing a DUI from riding an e-bike or electric scooter, you may be surprised at how serious the consequences are. Even though you weren’t driving a car, your license and future driving privileges are still at risk.
At Johnson & Goldrich, P.C., our attorneys can help you:
- Understand your suspension or revocation
- Prepare for Secretary of State hearings
- Present evidence to improve your chances of reinstatement
- Speed up the reinstatement process
- Avoid mistakes that can delay getting your license back
We focus exclusively on driver’s license reinstatement in Illinois and have helped many drivers successfully regain their driving privileges. If you were charged with DUI on an electric bike or scooter, contact Johnson & Goldrich, P.C. We can represent you at hearings and help you move smoothly toward total reinstatement.