Village reviews regulation, education after rise in low‑speed e‑scooter and e‑bike use

Village board members heard a staff presentation on state laws governing low‑speed electric scooters and electric bicycles, efforts the village has taken to educate youth and parents, and enforcement challenges posed by modifiable e‑bike systems.

The issue matters because dozens of riders in the village are minors and officials said the devices can pose safety risks; staff described outreach efforts with District 35 schools and regional law enforcement to reduce unsafe riding while acknowledging legal and practical limits on citation and enforcement.

Staff told the board that under the state law governing low‑speed electric scooters, those scooters “are defined as not traveling any in excess of 10 miles per hour,” and that operators must be 18 or older to ride on public roadways. The presentation said low‑speed electric bicycles are grouped into three classes, all limited to no more than 750 watts of motor power: class 1 assists pedaling up to 20 mph, class 2 allows throttle‑only operation, and class 3 provides assisted speeds…