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Board discusses e‑bike and e‑scooter rules; attorney outlines legal options and safety concerns
Summary
Village attorney briefed trustees on state classifications for e‑bikes and legal authority for local regulation; options include registration, equipment requirements, age limits and a local ban on scooters under home‑rule authority.
The village attorney briefed trustees Thursday on potential local regulations for electric bicycles and scooters, citing Illinois law and the village’s home-rule authority to restrict devices that present public-safety concerns.
The attorney outlined three state classifications for e‑bikes (class 1–3) and said Illinois law caps e‑bike motors at 750 watts. He noted class 1 and 2 bikes have top speeds of 20 mph and generally are permitted wherever bicycles are allowed; class 3 bikes have a top speed of 28 mph and require the operator to be at least 16 years old. The attorney said the village may regulate equipment, require registration or tagging, and set safety standards such as lights and reflectors.
Trustees and staff raised safety concerns about juveniles operating high-speed, modified bikes and scooters, including dark coloring and lack of lighting. The attorney said the village, as a home-rule municipality, could choose to ban electric scooters entirely or adopt restrictions such as minimum age requirements and registration or safety-equipment mandates. He offered to provide sample ordinances that other jurisdictions have adopted.
Trustees asked the attorney to circulate model codes for review; staff indicated the matter could be referred to the safety committee for further drafting and possible future action.
