Des Plaines City Hall, 1420 Miner St. (Lauren Barry/Journal photo)
Revisions to Des Plaines’ city code regarding electric bicycles and other similar devices, approved by aldermen Monday, include keeping faster battery-operated devices known as “e-motos” off city sidewalks.
A new city ordinance addresses electric bicycles and motorized mobility devices and their growing popularity as modes of transportation. Part of its aim is to strengthen rules of the road — some already in place at the state level — regarding how and where the devices are used on local streets and sidewalks.
The city ordinance defines motorized mobility devices, which include low-speed electric scooters as well as those with a maximum speed over 10 mph, low-speed electric bicycles that can reach maximum speeds of 20 to 28 mph by pedaling and with use of a motor, medical mobility devices, out-of-class electric vehicles like “e-moto” electric minibikes, non-motorized bikes, reckless operation, and toy mobility devices.
While some e-motos may look like e-bikes, those with a motor exceeding 750 watts capable of propelling the bike past 20 mph — without pedaling — place those devices “out of class” in the Illinois Vehicle Code and are not separately defined, aldermen were told. These devices are allowed on streets, but their operators must have a valid driver’s license and appropriate classification.
“The absence of clear rules has led to a noticeable increase in unsafe behaviors, including high-speed devices being operated on sidewalks, roadways, and multi-use paths by individuals of all ages, creating a direct conflict with pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorists,” Police Chief Dave Anderson wrote in a memo to City Manager Dorothy Wisniewski.
“The goal of the proposed amendments is not to indiscriminately ban these popular transportation options, but rather to ensure responsible use by qualified operators within the city.”
According to Anderson, state law already prohibits riding e-bikes and low-speed e-scooters that go up to 10 mph on sidewalks, requires e-bike operators be at least 16 years old and low-speed e-scooter riders be at least 18 years old. E-bikes may operate on streets and bike lanes — and on shared-use paths unless otherwise banned by local authority. They’re required to have a speedometer, but riders are not required to wear helmets under state law.
Low-speed e-scooters, or devices powered solely by motor and human power where operators stand on a floorboard, may not operate on roads with a limit over 35 mph or on state highways, and allow local towns to decide on their usage on sidewalks, trails, bike paths and in parks. Like e-bikes, they’re required to have safety equipment and lighting, plus brakes.
Des Plaines’ ordinance also prohibits Class III low-speed electric bicycles, or those that can reach a maximum speed of 28 mph, from any sidewalk within the city.
Those found in violation face a $75 fine for the first offense, $150 for a second offense, and $250 for a third offense in addition to impounding of a vehicle if the operator was found to be using it recklessly.
In addition to e-bikes, scooters and motos, another ordinance change approved by aldermen Monday bans people from riding skateboards on any roadway in the city except while crossing a street on a crosswalk. Those found in violation could find themselves fined between $5 and $10 for each violation.
If you like this story, you can get a whole lot more practically every day of the week by subscribing to journal-topics.com. Click here to choose your preference of either print or online, or call 847-299-5511.
