'Vigilant' Hinsdale E-Bike Crackdown Working: Village

HINSDALE, IL – Hinsdale's effort to enforce rules for electric bicycles and scooters is showing results, the village said Thursday.

In a statement, the village said it was among the first Chicago suburbs to take early action to address the hazards caused by e-bikes and e-scooters.

For the first year, the village issued more than 150 citations. Since then, officers handed out 32 tickets in June, 22 in July and six in August, the village said.

That represents an 81 percent drop in citations since May, showing that riders are getting the message, according to the statement.

The village promised that its school liaison officers would continue education efforts this year.

Most of the e-bikes seen in Hinsdale today are street legal, the village said.

In May 2024, the village banned the use of e-bicycles with motors over 750 watts on roads and sidewalks. Some of them can go 50 mph.

Electric-powered devices such as scooters, skateboards and one-wheels were restricted to sidewalks (except downtown), yielding to pedestrians.

The village only permits low-speed, stand-up scooters for those 18 and older. They are banned from sidewalks in downtown, 55th Street and Ogden Avenue.

"Our approach has proven effective, but it doesn't stop here," Village President Greg Hart said in the statement. "We will remain vigilant, continue enforcing our ordinance, and keep educating the public. The results show that Hinsdale's proactive model is working, and it's a model other communities can look to as they address the same challenges."

Earlier this summer, Hart warned that the village would further toughen the rules if no progress was made.