Sugar Grove trustees heard a detailed briefing on e-bikes, low-speed electric scooters and off-highway electric motorcycles on Dec. 2, where presenters summarized current Illinois classifications and urged the village to emphasize education and coordination rather than immediate local bans.

An officer presenting the item reviewed Illinois classifications introduced in 2018: Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes are pedal-assist models limited to 20 mph, while Class 3 e-bikes can reach 28 mph and require the operator to be at least 16 years old. The presenter also noted a separate August 9, 2024 change addressing low-speed electric scooters (weight, speed and an 18-year-old operator minimum for some devices). "Class 3... has a maximum speed of 28 miles per hour, and the rider or operator needs to be at least 16 years of age," the presenter said during the briefing.

Staff and trustees discussed enforcement realities: state law generally prohibits operation on sidewalks and requires certain equipment and age limits, but riders and devices modified to travel faster complicate enforcement. A trustee noted Metro West is drafting model legislation that could provide consistent statewide rules; several trustees said they preferred sending feedback to Metro West and focusing locally on public education and officer training. Police staff said they will post state-law restrictions on the village website and conduct outreach; no local ordinance was introduced or adopted at the meeting.

Why it matters: As e-mobility devices proliferate, village streets, trails and sidewalks face new safety and enforcement challenges. Trustees took an informational step, instructed staff to educate residents about state rules and deferred local regulatory action pending regional or state guidance.