Village says it will align local code after state e-bike, e-scooter bill clears legislature

A trustee told the North Thor Village Board on June 1 that a state bill creating regulations for electric bicycles and scooters that exceed 28 miles per hour has passed both the state senate and house and is awaiting the governor’s signature. The trustee said some provisions would take effect Jan. 1 if signed, with additional regulations going into effect July 1, 2027.

"The way I read it in its synopsis is it looks like some stuff will go into effect January 1 if signed. The rest of the regulations go in effect July 1 of '27," the trustee said. The trustee added that North Thor Village’s current local code already matches the state law in many respects and that, if the governor signs the bill, staff will bring an ordinance change to the board to formally align the village code with the state requirements.

The board did not debate the substance of the state bill at length during the meeting; the trustee’s report was presented as an informational update. The trustee identified the central compliance issue as the new state-level requirements that apply to e-bikes and e-scooters capable of speeds above 28 miles per hour and said the village intends to pursue a code amendment to ensure consistency between local and state law.

At the meeting the board also approved the consent agenda — which included minutes from the previous meeting, executive session minutes, grammar corrections and three bills lists — by roll-call vote. The clerk recorded a 'Yes' vote from Trustee Lowry, Trustee Nesbet (appearing as 'Netb' earlier in the roll call), Trustee Salazar, Trustee Christensen, Trustee Gaitley and Mayor Gaffino.

Next steps: if the governor signs the e-bike/e-scooter bill, village staff will draft code amendments and present them to the board for consideration; no ordinance or local code change was adopted at the June 1 meeting.