Anticipating an increase in the use of e-bikes and e-scooters, especially among young people, River Forest village trustees voted unanimously July 14 to revise the ordinance pertaining to bicycles and motor scooters.
Under the ordinance white front lights and red rear lights will now be required for all types of e-bikes and e-scooters.
Although no documented crashes specifically involving e-bikes and e-scooters with motor vehicles occurred in the village in 2023-24, police Chief James Greenwood cited safety concerns in recommending revising the ordinance to blend the village’s local ordinance with relevant provisions of the Illinois Vehicle Code. He noted that 18 crashes involving traditional bicycles and motor vehicles occurred over the same period.
“The issue came to the Village of River Forest as concerns from residents and community members,” he said. “There is great concern for the safety of the children that are operating the varying modes of transportation that travel at faster speeds and are not as familiar with traffic laws. Younger kids are less likely to understand or see the significance of stopping at stop signs or familiarity with operating the controls of the devices.
“To make matters more worrisome, many of the youngsters are riding without helmets. This is likely the only safety gear that riders wear that can provide them a higher level of protection from serious head injuries in the event of a fall, or worse, a crash with a motor vehicle,” said Greenwood.
Village President Cathy Adduci stressed the need to educate youth and their parents about the changes.
“We need to work with D90,” she said, referring to the River Forest elementary school district.
Trustee Megan Keskitalo agreed, suggesting that Oak Park and River Forest High School also be contacted.
Greenwood said another concern is youths riding the devices through parks and on sidewalks.
“The bikes are inherently more likely to damage grass and plants due to their potential speeds and weight,” he said. “When pedestrians are walking along, they run the risk of being struck by the rider or the rider having to quickly adjust for the pedestrian that may not hear them or see them coming.
“The risk to the pedestrian is being struck by a heavier machine than a traditional bike or scooter. The risk to the rider is travelling at higher speeds and making a sudden adjustment can cause the rider to lose control and fall or crash.”
Village Administrator Matt Walsh noted that village staff members have recommended that signs be posted in parks in the village.
Keskitalo said publicizing the age restrictions for e-scooter riders is important.
“We want to prevent parents from buying an e-bike or e-scooters then learning their kids are too young,” she said.
Defining types of bikes and scooters
Under the revised ordinance, a functioning white front light and red rear light will be required on all types of e-bikes and e-scooters, including low-speed e-scooters, high-speed e-scooters, all three e-bike classes and out of class (OCEV) e-bikes.
The electric motor on Class 1, 2 and 3 e-bikes is 750 watts or less and that of an OCEV is higher.
Class 1 e-bikes are limited to a top speed of 20 miles per hour and the motor works only when the rider is pedaling. A bike with an electric motor that assists only during pedaling is called a pedelec.
Some bikes have a throttle on the handlebars that offers an extra power boost, but on Class 1 e-bikes the throttle works only if the rider is also pedaling.
Class 2 e-bikes are also limited to a top speed of 20 miles per hour, but they have throttles that work the motor when the rider is not pedaling.
Class 3 e-bikes can go up to 28 miles per hour and do not have a throttle.
Class 3 and OCEV e-bike riders are required to be at least 16 years old and OCEV riders are required to hold a valid driver’s license. There is no minimum age for Class 1 and 2 e-bike riders.
Class 1, 2 and 3 e-bikes are allowed where bicycles are allowed but Class 2 and 3 e-bikes are not allowed on sidewalks and OCEV e-bike use is restricted to roads.
E-scooters are classified as low-speed and high-speed. Low-speed e-scooters weigh 100 pounds or less; have two or three wheels; and are limited to a top speed of 10 miles per hour. High-speed e-scooters have no restrictions.
Riders of both e-scooter types must be at least 18 years old. Both types are allowed on roads and bike lanes but low-speed e-scooters also are allowed on sidewalks and high-speed e-scooters are not.
