Elmhurst council refers e-bike, e-scooter ordinance review as community bike group urges survey response
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Summary
A community cycling group said Elmhurst has applied for bike‑friendly status and urged residents to complete a community survey; the City Council approved a referral to review local e‑bike and e‑scooter rules as part of the consent agenda and the mayor warned about state age restrictions after a recent juvenile incident.
Mike Licisero, chair of the Walk and Rollers Group, told the Elmhurst City Council on July 21 that the group submitted an application for bike‑friendly status on June 25 and urged residents to complete a community survey that will remain open through October.
Why it matters: The council approved a referral to review e‑bike and e‑scooter safety and ordinances as part of the consent agenda, a staff review that could lead to changes in how those vehicles are regulated locally. Mayor Scott M. Levin also reminded residents that state law includes age restrictions and said a recent incident involving a 14‑year‑old riding a vehicle the mayor described as large enough to be classified as a motor vehicle led to tickets being issued.
The Walk and Rollers Group has worked with Elmhurst police, city staff and the school district to gather data for a bike‑friendly application, Licisero said. “Our application got submitted June 25, so we are now in the next phase of that process, and that is a community wide survey,” Licisero said. He said the group expects results in December and left printed QR codes for councilors to share.
The council did not debate the application itself at the meeting. The referral to review local rules for e‑bikes and e‑scooters was included in the consent agenda as item 7.5 and therefore was approved as part of the broader consent motion. Mayor Levin urged parents and guardians to check whether particular devices meet state definitions and age restrictions. “We had an incident last week where someone was hit by, I believe, a 14 year old riding what turned out to be big enough that it would be classified as a motor vehicle,” Levin said. “Tickets will issue in those cases to juveniles and in that case to parents. So be responsible.”
City staff and the Walk and Rollers Group plan outreach: Licisero said city staff will post survey information on the city’s communication channels and he asked council members and residents to complete the survey to support the application process.
What was decided: The council approved the consent agenda, which included the referral to review e‑bike and e‑scooter safety/ordinances, by roll call vote (11 ayes, 0 nays, 3 absent). The council did not take separate final action on any ordinance changes at the July 21 meeting.
What comes next: Licisero said the survey window remains open until October and the Walk and Rollers Group expects notification on the bike‑friendly application in December. Any changes to local e‑bike or e‑scooter rules would follow the council’s referral and subsequent staff recommendations.
Sources: Public comment by Mike Licisero; remarks by Mayor Scott M. Levin during council meeting on July 21, 2025.
