Oswego police propose e-bike and e-scooter rules including age limits, helmets and parental liability

The Oswego Village Board heard a detailed presentation Nov. 4 from Chief Jason Baston proposing an ordinance to regulate electric bicycles and scooters, including age limits, equipment standards, helmet rules for minors and enforcement options.

Baston described three e-bike classes (Class 1 and 2 up to 20 mph; Class 3 up to 28 mph), two categories of scooters (low-speed ≤10 mph and higher-speed >10 mph), and said the state statute provides limited restrictions but home-rule authority allows the village to enact further rules. "We've had 3 crashes in 4 years," Baston told the board to frame the enforcement need, but he emphasized that most community contacts have been complaints rather than crashes.

Key policy proposals presented: - Age and operation: proposed minimum operator ages of 14 for Class 1/2 e-bikes, 16 for Class 3 e-bikes (because Driver's Education familiarity), and an initial plan to follow the state’s 18‑year minimum for high‑speed scooters while researching the village's ability to lower that to 16. - Where to ride: limit low-speed devices (≤10 mph) to sidewalks and local bike paths under village jurisdiction; prohibit devices exceeding 10 mph from sidewalks and require they use bike paths or roadways. - Safety equipment: require lights, reflectors, working brakes; Class 3 e-bikes encouraged to have speedometers; helmet required for riders under 18 for e-bikes and e-scooters that can reach higher speeds. - Parental liability and enforcement: include a parental-liability provision to make parents accountable in some circumstances; proposed fines start at $75 for a first offense (classified as a Class 2 violation) with adjudication fines that may reach $750 depending on repeat offenses and hearing officer discretion; impoundment is a possible option in some cases involving minors.

Trustees asked about the legality of requiring a driver's license for roadway operation, the feasibility of a safety certification or training class for minors, and how rules would apply on park-district paths and private property. Baston said mandating third-party training would impose a cost and enforcement burden and that enforcement on private property would be limited; he confirmed coordination with the park district to align rules on shared paths.

Several trustees urged a strong public-education component during colder months when usage drops so that the village could roll out rules and materials before wider adoption; Baston said staff will draft a one-page flyer and a public-information campaign and return with legal clarifications and refined ordinance language, including proposed adjustments: raising the age for Class 2 e-bikes to 16, lowering e-scooter minimum age to 16 (pending legal review), and possibly removing a proposed restriction on the historic downtown area.

Next steps: Staff will consult the village attorney on what is permissible under state law, continue discussions with the park district, and return to the board with draft ordinance language and an outreach plan.

Sources: Chief Jason Baston presentation and board Q&A, Nov. 4, 2025 Village of Oswego meeting transcript.