Electronic bikes (e-bikes) have surged in popularity throughout Glenview and the Chicagoland area, resulting in new e-bike regulations and changes to Illinois and Glenview laws.
Glenview prohibits e-bikes on any public property, including streets, sidewalks, and parking lots, according to glenview.il.us. Under current Illinois law, low-speed e-bikes, with a speed capacity under 28 mph, are prohibited on sidewalks, but are allowed on streets, bike lanes, bike paths, and trails, according to the Illinois Secretary of State website.
A state law taking effect on Jan. 1, 2027 will add new regulations and restrictions, such as requiring all e-bike users to be at least 15, mandating that riders of high-speed e-bikes with a speed capacity over 28 mph need a driver’s license, title, registration, and insurance to ride their e-bike, and that high-speed e-bikes are prohibited on sidewalks, bike paths, and bike lanes, according to the Illinois Secretary of State website.
With e-bikes growing in popularity among students at South, safety is of the utmost importance, Adam Uscicki, School Resource Officer, said. South urges students who ride e-bikes to follow the rules of the road, Uscicki said. With their speed, silence, and limited protection, e-bike riders must be extremely cautious and remain highly aware of their surroundings, Uscicki said.
“I know the mindset of kids at that age,” Uscicki said. “It’s tough to rein in that feeling of invincibility when you have power at the twist of a throttle.”
Students forget that e-bikes are still motorized vehicles, Daniel Gorski, Safety and Security Manager, said. Although no violations have been reported on school grounds, students should always wear protective gear and be mindful of stopping distances, Gorski said.
“It’s uncharted waters; it’s all new to everyone,” Gorski said. “People don’t realize how dangerous e-bikes are. People need to be careful with them.”
Many students believe the ban is warranted because of the many dangers that come with riding an e-bike, sophomore Tuguldur Javkhlan said. Understanding why new rules are being put in place is an important part of riding the powerful bike, Javkhlan added. The bikes provide ease for people regarding transportation and for people who cannot drive or own a car, the bikes are extremely beneficial, Javkhlan said.
“It was really easy to get to school, but now I have to wait for the bus, and because I have cross country after school, I’m never on schedule with it, so I have to wait 30, 40 extra minutes to get the buses,” Javkhlan said.
