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Hoffman Estates tightens electric scooter rules, removes 'low‑speed' language from operator-age clause
Summary
The village adopted an amended ordinance clarifying where low‑speed scooters may be used and setting a minimum operator age of 16 for allowed electric scooters; staff cited concerns about the Illinois Tort Immunity Act as a reason for restrictive language.
Hoffman Estates trustees on Sept. 15 adopted an amendment to local traffic code language covering electric bicycles and scooters after committee debate about low‑speed units and liability protections.
Janet (village staff member) told the Transportation and Road Improvement Committee the village had proposed language intended to ensure low‑speed electric scooters remained prohibited from streets, sidewalks and paths because doing otherwise could affect liability protections under the Illinois Tort Immunity Act. "The Tort Immunity Act wouldn't provide us if we pass the ordinance allowing them on sidewalks and paths and roads," Janet said. "In theory, we wouldn't have the same protection under the Tort Immunity Act for accidents that occurred with low speed scooters on the sidewalks or the paths."
The committee moved and trustees later approved an amendment that removed the term "low speed electric scooter" from a clause setting the minimum operator age so that the provision now reads: "Any operator of an electric scooter shall be at least 16 years of age." Committee discussion and the board vote clarified that city staff intend that the village not designate low‑speed scooters as intended users of sidewalks or paths; that intent is meant to preserve the village's immunity defenses, staff said.
Trustees discussed inconsistencies across the draft ordinance — for example, sections that both prohibit low‑speed scooters and elsewhere referenced permitted use. A motion to strike the words "low speed electric scooter" from the operator‑age line passed in committee by voice vote and the board approved the ordinance as amended.
Action taken: the board approved the ordinance amending sections of the municipal code governing electric bikes and scooters (as amended). The ordinance standardizes operator age and clarifies intended‑user language; it does not, at the meeting, create a remote or automated control for the Thornbark interconnect or alter parking rules.
Specific enforcement details and any civil penalties were not spelled out in committee or during the board vote; trustees directed staff to proceed with the amended ordinance language.
