Coming Soon: Elmhurst Crackdown On E-Bikes?

ELMHURST, IL – Four Elmhurst aldermen are requesting that the city consider stiffer regulations for electric bicycles and electric scooters.

The aldermen – Mike Brennan, Noel Talluto, Jennifer Veremis and Guido Nardini – are asking that a City Council committee review safety needs and possible new rules.

In a memo this week, they said most aldermen, if not all, are hearing constituents' concerns over e-bikes and e-scooters.

This summer, Elmhurst police said an e-biker struck a woman leaving a business, while two e-scooter riders crashed into cars. A few days ago, authorities reported a group of e-bikers creating disturbances and harassing drivers in Burr Ridge and Hinsdale.

Hinsdale and Burr Ridge are among the area towns that have enacted new rules to deal with the growing number of e-bikers and e-scooters. Burr Ridge, for instance, is requiring riders of certain classes of e-bicycles to have driver's licenses.

In the Elmhurst memo, the aldermen noted that the city is a home rule town, so it has more flexibility in regulating the vehicles in question.

Recently, Mayor Scott Levin urged parents to become aware of existing regulations before they buy expensive e-bikes.