Hinsdale May Further Toughen E-Bike Rules

HINSDALE, IL – Hinsdale has enacted tough rules for electric bikes and scooters, but it may further crack down if no progress is made, the village said Monday.

In a statement, the village said it has enacted the strictest regulations in the Chicago suburbs to uphold state laws for e-bikes and scooters.

Those rules include a ban on those younger than 18 from riding e-scooters.

If the regulations fail to improve the situation, an outright ban may be on the table, Village President Greg Hart said in the statement.

Hinsdale reported issuing nearly 150 citations already.

"These devices have become the new 'status symbol' for preteens, and in some cases, they can reach speeds of more than 50 miles per hour, which is illegal in Illinois," the village statement said. "Many parents remain unaware of the legal restrictions or the dangers when purchasing e-bikes or scooters for their children."

Last month, the village enacted the new regulations and launched a public education campaign.

According to the statement, Hinsdale's approach includes:

• Issuing state citations to youths and parents for violations, which carry tougher penalties and could prevent preteens from obtaining a driver’s license at age 16.
• Only permitting low-speed stand-up scooters for adults 18 and older. They are banned from sidewalks in downtown, 55th Street and Ogden Avenue.
• Only permitting legal low-speed electric bicycles. They must be equipped with pedals, have an electric motor with an output under 750 watts and display visible performance labels (devices without labels will be cited).
• Noting that products advertised as "electric bicycles" that lack pedals or exceed 750 watts are not legally bicycles. They may qualify as motorcycles, dirt bikes or motor vehicles. They are not permitted on Hinsdale streets or sidewalks.
• Banning all other electric motorized devices – including one-wheels, electric dirt bikes and similar high-powered unclassified devices — on any public way.
• Enforcing helmet use for riders under 18, in line with state law.

"If things do not improve, it's not a matter of if we will have a fatality — it's when," Hart said in the statement. "Every day, we have near-misses in Hinsdale and across the Chicago area. The Village can enact as many laws as necessary on this issue, including outright prohibiting certain devices. But at the end of the day, this comes down to parental responsibility."

For more on local regulations, visit the village's website.