Growing Safety Concerns Over E-Scooters Lead To New Winnetka Ordinace

WINNETKA, IL — Safety concerns about electric scooters from first responders and community members in Winnetka inspired village officials to enact new regulations this week.

The ordinance, which was unanimously approved on Tuesday, prohibits riders from using motor-driven vehicles on sidewalks, within parks, in parking lots or on the Green Bay Trail. Riders who meet age and licensing requirements may ride on the street and are required to follow the rules of the road.

At Tuesday's Village Council meeting, Police Chief Brian O'Connell pointed to a recent tragedy in Arlington Heights, where a 16-year-old was killed while riding an electric bicycle, as an example of why regulations are needed. The boy, who was not wearing a helmet, was traveling at a high rate of speed when he struck a pickup truck.

"There are no regulations in the state of Illinois regarding speed electric scooters, and those are what we're seeing in our community," O'Connell said. "Egregious behavior is obviously a concern of the police department... we are seeing behavior on the higher powered speed scooters that have no regulations."

E-scooter riders in Winnetka must be 18 years old or older and possess a valid driver's license, in alignment with state legislation. Riders of motor-driven vehicles must be older than 16 years old and hold a valid driver's license to operate the vehicle independently.

Additionally, it is illegal to alter the vehicle's original design to change its speed, method of propulsion, braking or other operations. It's also illegal for more than one person to ride on an e-scooter or any other motor-driven vehicle.

Anyone who violates the new laws will be subject to a fine of at least $100 for each offense, according to the ordinance.

Similar regulations have also been enacted in nearby municipalities, including in Highland Park, Deerfield, Lake Forest, Evanston and Wilmette.

Village officials plan to continue discussing the issue at subsequent meetings, with a similar ordinance concerning e-bicycles scheduled to be considered at the Oct. 7 meeting.