Cary board leans toward a permissive, speed-focused micro-mobility ordinance with education and enforcement
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Summary
Staff presented a draft ordinance for electric personal mobility devices; trustees favored allowing e-bikes while restricting high-speed devices, emphasized speed and helmets, and asked staff to pursue a broadly permissive ordinance paired with outreach and adjudication options.
The Committee of the Whole debated a draft ordinance for electric personal mobility devices Tuesday and gave staff direction to pursue a broadly permissive approach focused on speed limits, helmet requirements and education rather than an outright ban.
Deputy Nadenhoff presented model language and compared Cary options to neighboring jurisdictions and the McHenry County Conservation District. He summarized how the Illinois Vehicle Code constrains local authority but leaves room for municipalities to regulate device classes, speed limits on multi-use paths, where devices may operate, and local adjudication and penalties.
Staff recommended permitting class 1 and 2 electric bicycles with speed and location restrictions while prohibiting high-speed eMotos and pocket bikes on local paths and trails. Deputy Nadenhoff said enforcement would remain mostly reactive and that handheld radar and targeted stops would be used for egregious speed violations; he also proposed administrative adjudication (low fines, community service) to preserve an educational component rather than pushing all tickets to state court.
Board members focused on three practical enforcement levers: speed, helmets and registration. Several trustees said policing resources favor a simple prohibition for problem devices but agreed enforcement against speed violators and a helmet requirement are realistic first steps. Trustee comments repeatedly urged an educational campaign—working with schools, the park district and the conservation district—to reach juveniles and parents who may not be aware of state age and use restrictions.
Chief Hayes and Deputy Nadenhoff told trustees that many complaints involve throttle-controlled eMotos that can reach high speeds and that small-wheel scooters create higher crash risk on multi-use paths. The police recommended allowing electric bicycles with regulated speed on paths while restricting other emerging devices that carry greater risk.
Trustees asked staff to design a community outreach plan (open houses, school partnerships and digital surveys) and to return with an ordinance that: (1) permits lower-speed e-bikes under specified conditions; (2) bans or restricts high-speed eMotos on local paths; (3) includes helmet requirements and an adjudication pathway with graduated penalties; and (4) offers a sunset/review timeline so the village can revise rules as technology evolves.
Next steps: staff will draft ordinance language and a public outreach plan and return to the board for further direction and possible adoption.
