Councilmember calls for clarity on e-scooters and e-bikes ahead of proposed micro-mobility work session

Councilmember Lorenz told the Normal Town Council Sept. 2 she has observed more electric scooters around town and asked the council to schedule a public work session to clarify the town’s stance and any implementation rules.

"I am seeing a lot more e scooters around town... and maybe because college students are in town on sidewalks, on the Constitution Trail, and on roads darting in and out of traffic," Lorenz said. "To my knowledge, we don't have clear guidelines on whether we have opted in or out of the state laws recently. And if we have, then I'm not sure that we've rolled out that communication very effectively."

Lorenz said she wants the council to review any survey results collected by a small stakeholder group and to make the process transparent. "If the results are back, if so, how long have the results been back? And if we will have a chance to to look at those and and understand their implications," she asked. She said the council should acknowledge possible biases when considering micro-mobility policies and aim for transparent decision-making.

The transcript records no formal motion or vote on micro-mobility policy at the Sept. 2 meeting; Lorenz’s remarks indicate interest in a future work session and in reviewing stakeholder survey results, but the council did not adopt a policy or direct staff to take a specific regulatory action during that session. City Manager Reese was referenced in the discussion as the official who may schedule or staff such a work session, but no schedule was provided in the transcript.