Electronic Bikes, Scooters Get New Regulations Under Wheaton Ordinance

WHEATON, IL — The Wheaton City Council recently passed an ordinance imposing further regulations on electronic bikes and scooters.

The measure intends to improve safety on the roadway for e-bike and e-scooter riders, along with drivers, pedestrians and bicyclists.

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Per the ordinance electronic bike and electronic scooter riders are prohibited from "reckless operation." This includes speeding, failing to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks and disregarding traffic rules and signals.

The ordinance also outlines regulations for vehicles, including motorbikes, dirt bikes and higher-powered e-bikes with motors of more than 750 watts that can reach more than 28 mph. For these vehicles, the driver must be at least 16 years old with a drivers license and may not ride their vehicle on sidewalks.

“Our number one priority here is to keep everyone in our community safe – from kids on electric scooters to pedestrians on sidewalks to drivers of motor vehicles, and everyone in between,” Wheaton Police Chief Princeton Youker said in a statement.

Youker added, “There are a lot of new types of electric bikes and devices out in our community and some confusion about who can ride them and where. We’re here as a partner with the community to help educate riders on where it’s safe and legal to ride so we can prevent dangerous behavior, which can have tragic consequences.”