(CAPITOL CITY NOW) – We’re now sharing the road with electric bicycles, and Illinois law has not kept up.

Legislation spearheaded by Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias (pictured) aims to change that. It passed in the final hours of the just-concluded legislative session and awaits the governor’s action.

“For the vast majority of e-bike riders, nothing changes,” the secretary said at a Chicago news conference Thursday. “What does change is that higher-powered devices capable of traveling over 28 mph will finally be subject to common-sense safety requirements. Under this legislation, riders of high-speed e-bikes, and e-motos will be required to have a driver’s license, registration, and insurance.

“Electric scooters, skateboards and electric unicycles will be prohibited from operating above 28 mph on roads and bike lanes,” said Giannoulias.

“Many children will be choosing e-bikes, e-scooters, and other micromobility devices as their mode of transportation,” said Dr. Marcelo Malakooti, chief medical officer of Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago. “While we see the tremendous benefits that physical activity, mobility, and independence can bring to young people, we also know the advances of these devices can and have already led to serious consequences and injury.”