Winnetka regulates e-scooters, moto-bikes together, while e-bikes get softer touch

Within weeks of putting the wheels in motion on formal regulations related to the use of electric scooters and other motor-driven vehicles, trustees signed off on a pair of measures to address what they say has become a significant safety concern in town.

Village trustees during their Tuesday, Sept. 16 meeting unanimously approved an ordinance that immediately ushered in new regulations on the use of motor-driven vehicles, most notably electric scooters and motor-driven cycles.

And in their next session on Oct. 9, officials addressed electric bicycles with lighter legislation.

Per Winnetka’s new ordinances, users of e-scooters must now be at least 18 years old and possess a valid driver’s license, rules village officials say are in line with existing Illinois legislation.

Operators of motor-driven cycles, which include the vehicles officials have in the past commonly referred to as e-motos or e-dirt bikes, have to be at least 16, possess a valid driver’s license, and have their vehicle properly titled and registered, according to the new ordinance.

The ordinance bars the use of both types of vehicles on public sidewalks and within village-owned parks, village-owned or village-maintained parking lots, and Winnetka’s portion of the Green Bay Trail.

Additionally, per the ordinance, no more than one person can simultaneously ride on an e-scooter or motor-driven cycle.

Village officials said in a statement released in September that it’s considered a violation to alter “the vehicle’s original manufacturer’s design to change its speed, method of propulsion, braking, or other operations.” That assertion relates to both electric scooters and motor-driven cycles, officials said.

As previously reported by The Record, trustees announced their regulatory intentions during a Sept. 9 study session where they devoted more than an hour of public discussion to an e-scooter and e-bike ordinance.

During that session, officials reached a consensus to prepare two ordinances, so that one would consider electric scooters and motor vehicles, while the other would contemplate potential rules for electric bikes.

When referencing the new regulations on Oct. 7, Trustee Rob Apatoff said the community is already delivering high praise.

“I’ve rarely seen so many unsolicited thank yous from residents that this was passed because a lot of people have had close calls with scooters and the motor bikes,” he said. “It was remarkable how many people came out and said thank you.”

Electric bicycles ordinance

Trustees during their Tuesday, Oct. 7 meeting approved an ordinance that puts age restrictions, among other stipulations, on the use of electric bicycles within the village. The ordinance, however, includes allowances for under-age users.

Electric bike users are required to be at least 16 years old, per the new ordinance, but riders under that age are allowed to use the bikes when they are in the company of an adult or when they are riding as a passenger on a vehicle suited for two riders, according to village documents.

More specifically, the ordinance states that under-16 riders are allowed with supervision to operate electric bicycles that fall under the Class 1 or 2 designations. Riders of bicycles that fall under the Class 3 category are, per state law, already required to be at least 16 to use. The difference in classifications largely relates to the maximum speed the bikes can reach.

The ordinance also places location restrictions on the use of e-bikes, stating that it’s unlawful for users to operate them on a public sidewalk but that it is permissible to walk them on public sidewalks located in Winnetka’s business district.

Currently, Winnetka has regulations in place for the use of all bicycles within its business district. Officials said electric bikes will be treated the same way as standard ones, meaning they must be walked on sidewalks but can be operated on the roadway.

Under 16 riders can use Class 1 and 2 bikes on public streets, village-owned bike paths, the Green Bay Trail, village-owned parks, village-owned parking lots and publicly accessible parking lots and other public property in town only when accompanied by their parent or legal guardian, per the ordinance.

As related to the Green Bay Trail, the use of all three classes of bicycles for riders over 16 is permissible, Winnetka Police Chief Brian O’ Connell confirmed, adding that Classes 1 and 2 can be used by under-age riders if they’re riding with a parent or guardian.

Village trustees collectively thanked staff for the dedicated efforts in developing and adapting the ordinance to the feedback they previously provided.

“You’ve looked at this hard and found what I think is a pretty balanced and measured approach going forward,” Apatoff said.

Trustee Kirk Albinson, who during the September study session strongly advocated for separate ordinances, said he believes the now-approved ordinance is a “good foundation.”

“I think this is measured and balanced,” Albinson said. “Maybe this comes up again in the future as we reconsider our planning efforts around improving bike access throughout the community … and I’d be open for that dialogue to help improve promoting the use of non-vehicle transportation.”

Winnetka Park Board President Elise Gibson said during the public comment portion of the meeting that the park district plans to consider the use of electric bicycles in its facilities during its Oct. 23 session, noting that the park already has regulations in place related to scooters and e-motos.

Gibson said the district would like to be aligned with the village but added that it may be more prohibitive in its rulings.

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