Deerfield trustees open debate on ordinance to restrict high‑speed personal mobility devices; second reading set

Deerfield trustees on May 12 opened public debate on a proposed ordinance that would restrict the use of motor‑driven personal mobility devices — including throttle‑controlled electric scooters and small gas‑powered bikes — on village streets, sidewalks, bike paths and parks for younger users and in higher‑speed areas.

The proposal, presented by village staff and the police department, would prohibit operation of devices that are solely powered by an electric motor or gasoline engine unless the operator is at least 16 and possesses an Illinois driver’s license (higher age limits for certain low‑speed devices are proposed to align with state law). Police described an education‑first enforcement plan and said they would rely initially on outreach to families and schools.

The discussion matters because village police reported rising calls and safety incidents tied to the devices over the past year — including traffic crashes and injuries — while residents and trustees urged balancing safety with access for people who use small electric devices for short commutes. Village staff recommended using Deerfield’s home‑rule authority to regulate devices the state law does not clearly control.

Police testimony summarized the department’s experience. “Some of these vehicles are very fast and very dangerous,” the Police Chief told the board, and Deputy Chief Brian gave the department’s complaint totals: about 50 calls last year, including six traffic crashes (four attributed to the mobility device) and two injury incidents involving children. Brian said the draft ordinance would require helmets, visibility equipment, limit operation on streets posted over 25 mph and assign adult responsibility: “No adult who is in direct control of a minor under the age of 16 shall permit that minor in their control to violate any provision of this section.”

The draft separates low‑speed devices, which the Illinois statute already addresses, from higher‑speed, solely motorized devices that the village says are unregulated by state law. Staff said the state’s piecemeal approach makes local regulation complicated; the draft therefore tries to target the vehicles that have generated the most police calls: throttle‑controlled scooters, small “dirt‑bike’’ style electric bikes and single‑wheel devices.

Public comment at the meeting ran long and split between residents who asked for a firm, simple ban to reduce immediate danger and others — including commuters and students — who urged a narrower or speed‑based approach, more education, or graduated rules (for example, registration, limited routes or a training program). “This proposed ordinance seems to target a symptom, not the problem,” one commenter said, urging infrastructure and enforcement of existing rules. Another parent described repeated near‑misses and urged enforcement and parental responsibility.

Trustees pressed staff on practical enforcement questions — radar enforcement, school outreach, and whether limits would unfairly affect commuters who use scooters to reach the train. Mayor Daniel C. Shapiro said the board intends to move quickly: “We’re gonna have a second meeting about this in 2 weeks.” Trustees asked residents and stakeholder groups to submit written suggestions before that follow‑up meeting so staff can refine the draft.

No formal ordinance vote took place; trustees directed staff to return with a revised draft. Staff recommended an education‑first approach supported by coordinated school outreach and continued review of enforcement options, with fines proposed at a minimum of $100 for violations. The board said it will weigh short‑term steps before schools let out this spring and longer‑term ideas — including possible registration, road‑designation changes and targeted safety classes — as it considers revisions.

What happens next: the board scheduled a second reading in roughly two weeks and asked for written suggestions from residents, parent groups and schools to inform revisions.