Residents press Roselle leaders on neighborhood speeding, high-powered e-bikes and pedestrian access

At the Oct. 13 Village Board meeting, Roselle residents urged the board and police to address neighborhood speeding, the use of high-powered e-bikes and persistent pedestrian-access problems despite recent accessibility upgrades.

Gary Kuba, a Roselle resident of nearly 50 years, told trustees he frequently observes drivers on Heritage Drive traveling “40, 50 miles an hour” on the three-block stretch near the dead end and asked whether the village could install speed humps — a milder alternative to speed bumps — to slow traffic. “I’ll sit on my front porch and people are going 40, 50 miles an hour,” Kuba said.

Deputy Chief Gates (Roselle Police Department) responded that the department uses radar speed signs for data collection and to inform patrol detailing but cautioned that speed humps can cause snowplowing difficulties and affect emergency response. “Those create an issue for our snowplows for snow removal, even though they are less extreme than a speed bump,” Gates said, noting staff will review the data and rotate enforcement resources.

Kuba also raised the issue of Class 4 e-bikes — high-powered models that can reach about 40 mph — saying they are ridden by children in neighborhoods and are not referenced on the village’s posted Class 1–3 signage. “The ones that run from us or flee from us, it’s difficult,” Deputy Chief Gates said, describing enforcement challenges when riders flee. Gates noted the village has authorized purchase of two police e-bikes for enforcement and has adopted a parental-responsibility ordinance that allows ticketing and, if necessary, impoundment of bikes to prompt family engagement.

On pedestrian access, resident Terry Ertz praised recent accessibility upgrades and pedestrian controls, saying the Americans with Disabilities Act “passed in 1990 aimed to help solve accessibility fairness” and that new walk buttons and widened shoulders near Irving Park Road and Maple should improve pedestrian access to the Metro station. Ertz also listed recurring hazards — blocked sidewalks, vehicles stopping on crosswalks and vegetation encroachment — and called for stronger enforcement and fines to deter repeat offenders.

Mayor Pulaski and staff responded that the village will continue data-driven enforcement, coordinate with patrol sergeants and work with public works to address signage and maintenance issues. Deputy Chief Gates offered to connect residents to district sergeants and noted the department enters notes into records when youths are encountered so officers can identify repeat offenders across incidents.

Ending: Residents’ requests generated staff commitments to review enforcement data, coordinate signage and sidewalks with public works, and to continue community outreach; no new ordinance or funding decision was made at the meeting.