Lake Bluff committee discusses proposed e‑bike and e‑scooter limits in downtown; staff to draft ordinance

The Village of Lake Bluff Committee of the Whole met July 14 and discussed a proposed ordinance to restrict certain electric personal vehicles in the Central Business District (CBD), with public-safety concerns about fast, motorized “e‑motorcycles” cited by police and residents.

Chief of Police Matt Smazinski said the village has received numerous complaints and police observations of reckless operation in the CBD and elsewhere. “We’re here tonight for a proposed e vehicle restrictions in the Central Business District,” Smazinski said, describing a pattern of fast acceleration, wheelies and evasive riding by youths on motorized two‑wheelers.

The discussion centered on three practical rules staff presented: (1) require all wheeled devices in the CBD sidewalks to be walked (“walk your wheels”), with narrow exceptions for very small children under adult supervision; (2) treat motorized bicycles and scooters as roadway vehicles under state law (i.e., not allowed on sidewalks); and (3) set a village‑wide speed cap for electric personal vehicles outside the CBD (staff and trustees discussed 20 mph as a working figure). Trustees expressed a preference…