Amid safety fears, both Lake Forest and Lake Bluff are either adjusting or examining their procedures regarding the use of electric transportation devices.
As Lake Forest has announced a “zero tolerance” enforcement policy for some e-bikes and e-motorcycles, the Lake Bluff village board is reviewing a police department recommendation for new restrictions specifically inside the central business district.
In October 2023, the Lake Forest passed an ordinance requiring e-bikes and e-scooters to be walked downtown, thus prohibiting the riding of the devices. Now, the police department has just instituted a new enforcement initiative regarding high-powered electric dirt bikes and e-motorcycles.
Lake Forest Police Chief John Burke said the updated policy was the result of some recent incidents, including one time when an officer stopped two juveniles on Waukegan Road as they were caught going over 40 MPH. He said another time, another person under 18 crashed into the car fender of a woman as she was exiting her driveway.
“The officers are seeing some dangerous behavior, and we are receiving some complaints regarding juveniles on electric bikes,” Burke said. “We don’t want to see a tragedy.”
There are three types of e-bikes under Illinois law, with categories established on their maximum assisted speed and whether the motor requires the rider to pedal the device.
“The manufacturers are making and selling these bikes online, and you can be a 14-year-old bike rider without regulation,” Burke said. “They can be easily manipulated to go faster.”
Separately, Burke said there is a growing popularity with e-motorcycles, which require the rider to have a driver’s license, proof of insurance, and state registration.
With the new policy, the city is now stating that any juveniles (under the age of 18) caught using an e-motorcycle or an e-bike beyond the class they are allowed to ride in an “unsafe or unlawful manner” could face a citation for reckless conduct or other penalties, according to Burke.
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Citations will be issued with fines ranging between $100 and $750. A parent or guardian will have to accompany anyone under 18 to an administrative hearing or a court proceeding.
Meanwhile, in Lake Bluff, village board trustees reviewed a police department recommendation for policy changes at a July 14 Committee of the Whole meeting that would ban operation of e-motor driven vehicles, pedal bicycles and toy vehicles in addition to some e-bikes in downtown streets. The only exemptions would be for government-operated vehicles and people with physical disabilities.
“If you are in the CBD, walk it. This is the sense of what we are trying to say,” Village President Regis Charlot said.
Police Chief Matt Smizinski mentioned that the State of Illinois law mandates that some e-bikes be operated on the roadway and not on the sidewalks.
Village Administrator Drew Irvin said some parents would prefer children riding bicycles or e-bikes on the sidewalks, instead of on the roads, for safety reasons.
“If you don’t feel like it is safe, don’t get them an e-bicycle,” Trustee Susan Rider responded.
With only three of the six village trustees present at the July 14 meeting, Charlot recommended additional discussion at the Committee of the Whole when more of the trustees would be present.
The matter was listed on the July 28 Committee of the Whole meeting agenda. The board was set to discuss a police department recommendation that would fold e-device regulations into the village’s existing bicycle regulations, Irvin said.
Several suburban Chicago communities have been addressing the overall topic in recent months. Neighboring Highland Park recently instituted a ban on e-bikes and e-scooters on sidewalks, bicycle paths, and parking lots.
Daniel I. Dorfman is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.