OLNEY, Ill (WTWO/WAWV) — The Olney Police Department is notifying the community that as of March 1, 2025, “any low-speed electric or gas bicycle used in city limits must be registered by the police department.”
These low-speed electric or gas bikes will only be permitted on roadways and will not be able to be driven on sidewalks or any other public property.
The police department said that electric bicycles shall “not exceed 750 Watts nor go faster than 20 m.p.h.,” while gas-powered bicycles shall “not exceed 50 cc nor go faster than 20 m.p.h.”
Information needed to acquire a registration will include the owner’s name, owner’s address, make/serial number and any other information the police department may require.
Each low-speed electric or gas bicycle will be inspected for mechanical fitness. If the bicycle does not pass this inspection, it will not be permitted to be used in the city.
Riders who don’t register their gas or electric-powered bicycle will face repercussions according to the department.
“Users who have been issued a citation regarding low-speed electric or gas bicycles two or more times within a year will be required to surrender the bicycle for impoundment. Bicycle will be returned when all citation fees have been paid as well as a $50.00 impoundment fee or when proof is provided of a not-guilty verdict for the citation as provided by the court,” said the Olney Police Department.
To register your vehicle, riders will have to pay a $20 registration fee at the beginning of every year. After paying the registration fee, they will receive a tag that must be placed in a visible location on the vehicle.
