Read the full story at WGN News.
From WGN News: The state of Illinois recently passed a new bill with framework to regulate e-bikes statewide, increasing the age of drivers to 16 and requiring proper licensing. It’s currently waiting to be signed by the governor.
State Sen. Darby Hills (R-26th District) worked on the legislation and Wauconda is in her district.
“I’ve talked to, you know, all of my mayors and my police chiefs throughout the district because there isn’t that guidance for them. There isn’t that regulation. So a lot of municipalities where we’re passing ordinances to try to regulate this, but police didn’t know, do we give them a ticket? Do we give the parents a ticket?” Hills said.
According to Hills, the new e-bike safety laws wouldn’t go into effect until January of 2027. Until then, she strongly advocates parents do their research on what they are buying.
“So as a parent myself, I have three children myself. I would say that these are going faster than you probably even knew, and when vehicles, these e-bikes, these e-scooters, even unicycles are going up to 50 miles an hour, we need to make sure that we’re keeping people safe on the roads,” Hills said.