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Oswego police propose age, helmet and location rules for e‑bikes and e‑scooters
Summary
Chief Jason Baston presented a draft ordinance that would classify electric bikes and scooters by speed, set age minimums and require helmets for riders under 18, add parental‑liability language, and create fines and limited impoundment as enforcement tools. Board members pressed staff on enforcement, education and downtown limits.
Chief Jason Baston told the Village of Oswego Board on Nov. 4 that the police department is recommending a local ordinance to regulate electric bicycles and scooters after a rise in complaints and three reported crashes over four years. The draft ordinance would sort devices by speed and class and place age, equipment and location limits on their operation.
Baston said the proposal would treat low‑speed devices (maximum 10 mph) differently from higher‑speed e‑bikes and scooters. "Low speed e scooters ... we are proposing that you can only operate those on sidewalks and bicycle paths" that fall under village jurisdiction, he said, while e‑bikes and scooters that exceed 10 mph would be limited to bicycle paths and roadways and would not be allowed on sidewalks.
The draft sets minimum ages by vehicle class: Baston outlined a proposal for class 1 and class…
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