Village approves new ordinance to regulate and add restrictions to low-speed e-bikes, e-scooters, and low-speed gas bikes
HUNTLEY — In a move aimed at enhancing safety and aligning with state regulations, the Village of Huntley Board of Trustees approved a new ordinance to better regulate and add restrictions for the use of low-speed electric bicycles (including Class 1, Class 2, or Class 3 types), low-speed gas bicycles, and low-speed electric scooters within its boundaries.
The decision, made at the Nov. 21 Village Board meeting, comes amid growing concerns over rider, motorist, and pedestrian safety and improper use of these increasingly popular modes of transportation.
The ordinance, which passed unanimously across the board, mostly follows the current Illinois Vehicle Code (625 ILCS 5/1-140.10) while also placing limitations on where and how e-bikes, gas bikes, and e-scooters can be operated. One Key provision includes prohibiting their use on any public sidewalk, bicycle path, or multi-use path or on any other public property or public way where the use of motor vehicles is not permitted provided, however, that a Class 1, Class 2, or Class 3 low-speed electric bicycle may be operated on a bicycle path or multi-use path under manual power only and without utilizing motorized propulsion or assistance.
The new ordinance also coincides with the state ordinance in that a low-speed electric bicycle including a Class 1, Class 2, or Class 3 or low-speed gas bicycle can only be operated by those at least 16 years of age or older. The limitation does not apply to a Class 1 or Class 2 low-speed electric bicycle that is being operated under manual power only. A low-speed electric scooter, on the other hand, can only be operated by a person who is at least 18 years of age or older.
“Since early spring, the police department has received more than 60 e-bike calls throughout the village,” said Huntley Police Chief Linda Hooten. “Every time the officers have interacted with juveniles on these calls, they have spent time educating and talking to them about safe riding. They’ve also talked to the parents of these children…So, we have taken all that into consideration as we drafted this. We mirrored, for the most part, state law. This stuff has already been on the books. It’s already enforceable. We’re just making it a local ordinance to not put the kids in the court system. It’s a citation that they can pay. It doesn’t go on their record.”
The Village Board agreed that there needed to be more clearly defined local regulations that better aligned with state law regarding e-bikes, gas bikes, and e-scooters. Village President Tim Hoeft told meeting attendees that the new ordinance was a last resort as the village had tried to do a “compliance through cooperation” method but that didn’t seem to be working as many individuals continued to be reckless when riding their electric vehicles.
Resident opinions were divided during the public comment period preceding the vote. While some supported the measure as a common-sense solution to safety concerns, others criticized it for possibly being overly restrictive.
Two Sun City residents voiced their concerns about not being able to use the power assistance on their e-bikes while on multi-use paths because it helps them due to their advanced age.
“I just wanted to say thank you to the board for finally taking some action. Being around here last summer, [it] was pretty obvious that this was a problem. So, just having some rules to apply to this is what I’m thanking you for,” said Huntley resident Sean Smith.
To quell some of the concerns, Hooten added that if individuals are complying with the rules of the road, it would be officer discretion on who they wish to issue citations to. People who are found to be breaking the ordinance would also first get a warning before resorting to recieving a citation.
Repeat offenders can face fines ranging from $25 to $500. Village officials hope the measures will strike a balance between encouraging sustainable transit options and ensuring safety.
