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West Chicago committee to pursue tighter rules, enforcement for e-bikes and mini-bikes
Summary
Police told the Public Affairs Committee the city will draft a local ordinance to go beyond a new state law that takes effect Jan. 1, adding possible seizures, fines and parental penalties to address growing complaints about e-bikes, mini-bikes and ATVs on streets and sidewalks.
A police official told the West Chicago Public Affairs Committee on July 20 that the city will ask corporate counsel to draft a local ordinance tightening rules and enforcement for e-bikes, mini-bikes and other off-road vehicles.
"We have we've been receiving a lot of complaints and concerns about mini bikes, ebikes, ATVs on our city streets," the police official said, and the committee discussed an ordinance that would prohibit use on public rights-of-way and sidewalks, add seizure authority, fines and potential penalties for parents or guardians. The official also cited a recently signed state senate bill that takes effect Jan. 1 and said the city wants to "make it a little bit more stringent" than the state law for West Chicago.
Committee members asked for specifics on enforcement, speed limits and whether certain models used for commuting would remain permitted; the police official said state law will include registration and licensing categories based on speed and power and "could potentially require insurance as well." The official told the committee officers are adopting a zero-tolerance enforcement posture in recent weeks and that festival organizers will be told such vehicles will be barred from events.
City staff said corporate counsel will review the draft and the committee could see a proposed ordinance at an upcoming meeting, with further enforcement details to be determined.
