Bartlett committee backs state-aligned micromobility rules, emphasizes education

The Police & Health Committee reviewed a proposed ordinance to regulate electric micromobility devices that largely mirrors Senate Bill 3484, which establishes statewide definitions, operator-age minimums, permitted locations of operation, speed limits and enforcement approaches.

Deputy Chief Robson told trustees the village's draft keeps the state's unified framework while adding a parental-responsibility clause to hold guardians accountable when juveniles violate provisions. The measure imposes age thresholds by vehicle type, bars electric mobility devices from sidewalks in many cases, and differentiates between low-speed e-bikes, e-scooters and motor-driven cycles that require a license.

Trustees focused on implementation: an education-first enforcement approach, coordinating with U-46 schools and Student Resource Officers for outreach, and offering voluntary safety classes before fines or adjudication. "We're not looking to write kids tickets," a trustee said; the police said municipal adjudication would be used and initial interventions would emphasize training and remediation rather than immediate penalties.

The committee forwarded the ordinance to the board for a vote and directed staff to build an education plan and school partnerships to launch before effective dates tied to the new state law.

One substantive technical point: the proposed local text largely defers to the state for speed and equipment thresholds to avoid conflicting rules across neighboring jurisdictions.