La Grange Eyes Youths 'Terrorizing' Village

LA GRANGE, IL – Towns near La Grange have enacted rules targeting the increasing number of electric bicyclists.

But La Grange hasn't done so. Officials say that's about to change.

Among the towns with new regulations are Western Springs, Hinsdale, Darien and Burr Ridge.

At Monday's Village Board meeting, Village President Mark Kuchler said officials would discuss e-bikes at the board's two October meetings. He invited residents to speak at the sessions.

Kuchler noted last week's e-bike crash in Arlington Heights, where a 16-year-old boy was killed. And he said students from a Lyons Township High School civics class have weighed in, suggesting limiting e-bikes to holders of driver's licenses or permits.

If possible, Kuchler said, it would be best if La Grange's rules fit in with its neighbors.

Trustee Glenn Thompson said he encountered an 11- or 12-year-old e-bike rider in the parking garage just before the meeting.

The child had no lights on the illegal bike and was popping wheelies in the relatively dark garage, Thompson said.

"I was able to catch one of our officers, who went to pursue the child to try to warn him that he shouldn't be on the streets riding," the trustee said. "There's going to be, unfortunately, an accident like we had in our neighboring town if we don't do something about these e-bikes."

The other day, he said, a resident told him that young e-bicyclists were "terrorizing the town with their little e-bikes popping wheelies and making threats."

"So I hope the citizens of La Grange will take an active part in this and that we pass some tougher regulations like our neighbor cities," Thompson said.