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Oswego residents press board to curb motorized bikes, village to consider ordinance
Summary
Multiple South Berry residents told the Village Board that children are riding motorized bikes and scooters on sidewalks and trails at high speeds; the board asked police to draft an ordinance and scheduled discussion for Nov. 4.
Several South Berry residents told the Village of Oswego board on Oct. 7 that motorized scooters and small motorbikes are increasingly using sidewalks, walking paths and neighborhood streets and creating safety risks for pedestrians and older residents.
At the public forum, Al Gagenheimer said the vehicles are operated by children and adolescents and are traveling at high speeds on paths used by older adults. “We see the motorized vehicles all over the bike paths...driven by anywhere from 10 year olds to...14 or 15 year olds. They drive extremely fast,” Gagenheimer said. He said the police told him there is currently no ordinance the department can enforce.
Sam Figola, speaking as an HOA representative, said neighborhood governing documents already prohibit motorized vehicles on walking paths but parents and riders interpret rules differently. “We would like to see us put something in writing like Plainfield and Aurora have that gives some homeowners specifics about what's allowed and what's not allowed,” Figola said.
Tom Kabotsky described a near-miss with a small child riding an electric motorcycle while he walked his dog: “We didn't hear him...my dog jumped up and almost knocked this young child off his bike. And if my dog hit him, he would have definitely fallen and definitely been injured.”
Village President Ryan Kaufman told the speakers he has asked the chief of police to look into bringing an ordinance to address the issue. The chief added that the village plans to discuss the matter at the Committee of the Whole meeting scheduled for 6 p.m. on Nov. 4.
Board members and staff did not adopt a new rule at the meeting; they directed staff and police to draft language and return for committee review. Trustees said they want a workable, enforceable approach that balances neighborhood design and enforcement costs and suggested coordinating with homeowners associations for education and outreach.
The village did not provide a timeline for final adoption, and the police said current enforcement options are limited where no ordinance exists. Residents who spoke requested a combined approach of code language, education for parents and riders, and targeted enforcement where violations are observed.
