Committee narrows e‑bike update to registration, sidewalks and conservancy rules; volunteers to draft ordinance language

The committee agreed to develop specific language to update the village’s bicycle ordinance to address electric bicycles, focusing on three areas: registration, whether ebikes may operate on sidewalks, and restrictions in conservancy areas. An agency official summarized the narrowed priorities: “I think we've narrowed it down to registration, sidewalks, and, I mean, those are the 2 top and conservatory whether, so those 3.”

Members debated voluntary versus mandatory registration, noting the historical purpose of registration was to aid theft recovery. One committee member said the registration program should be voluntary for pedal bikes and required for motorized bikes. Concerns included enforcement practicality — officers should not be tasked to track nine‑year‑olds for sticker compliance — and whether village law could be more restrictive than state law. Members repeatedly recommended reviewing other municipal ordinances (Madison, an Oregon model in the packet) to borrow workable language rather than attempt to re‑invent the entire code.

The committee also discussed conservancy and park distinctions and whether to prohibit certain classes of ebikes from narrow trails for safety reasons. Members raised disability exceptions and speed limits as possible carve‑outs, and suggested drafting signage and education (including bike‑safety rodeos) to accompany any regulatory change.

Next steps: volunteers (including members already working on the packet) will draft specific ordinance language and send it to the village attorney for legal review ahead of the next committee meeting.