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Bartlett advisory committee reviews pending state e-bike rules and plans local outreach
Summary
Committee members reviewed a pending Illinois bill that would standardize e-bike classes, expand age limits, and require licensing/title for higher-powered 'eMotos'; staff urged aligning local materials with the state and expanding public education if the law is signed.
The Village Bartlett Bike and Run Plan Advisory Committee reviewed a pending Illinois bill on e-bikes and micromobility at its July 9 meeting and discussed adopting the state’s template to avoid local inconsistencies.
Brent, a village staff member who briefed the committee, said the bill is currently in senate concurrence and — if signed — would take effect Jan. 1. “If this bill were to pass and get signed, you know, somewhat soon, again, January 1 would be that timeline,” he said. He described the legislation’s main goal as statewide consistency so riders are not subject to different local rules when moving between jurisdictions.
Why it matters: the proposal would clarify device classes, adjust age limits and tighten rules for high-powered vehicles that have been marketed as e-bikes. That combination affects enforcement, safety outreach and what penalties or citation processes apply in Bartlett.
Key provisions described to the committee included keeping the three-class e-bike structure but extending age restrictions so classes 1 and 2 would be limited to riders 15 and older (class 3 currently restricted to 16+). Brent said the bill “doesn’t change the class structure” but “the only thing that changes” for e-bikes is the age restriction expansion to classes 1 and 2. He also told the panel that the bill would treat eMotos — vehicles that are not e-bikes — differently from e-bikes: “eMotos would require a driver’s license, would require title registration, and insurance. Or I don’t believe insurance is true. But, title license and registration for all these vehicles and then state DUI laws apply,” Brent said, describing the change as a significant departure from current local practice.
Committee members urged caution about enforcement logistics. One committee member said the police are already strained and asked staff to keep rules simple: “Let’s not make it complicated…we have a template. Let’s not make it complicated. The police are gonna have enough of an issue trying to enforce it,” the member said. Multiple members asked to have the police bring accident and enforcement data to a future meeting to guide decisions.
Staff and the Bartlett Park District discussed communication plans. Kim Dassbach, superintendent of recreation at the Bartlett Park District, said the district will mirror village safety materials in brochures and facility postings and will help distribute updated flyers if the state law becomes final. Brent said the village’s preliminary social-media campaign about bike safety had large reach and can be supplemented with state resources once the final rules are available.
What’s next: staff told the committee it will update the advisory materials to match state language if the bill is enacted and will consider inviting police to present enforcement data at an upcoming meeting. The committee did not take a formal vote on local adoption during the meeting.
Quotes: “If this bill were to pass and get signed…January 1 would be that timeline,” Brent said. “eMotos would require a driver’s license, would require title registration… and state DUI laws apply,” he added. A committee member urged keeping a simple, consistent approach so local enforcement is practicable.
The committee discussed public education and signage and agreed to revisit the topic after any final state action.
