Hinsdale bans children from operating electric scooters, cracks down on e-bike violations, citing public safety
Share this @internewscast.com

Some suburbs are beginning to enforce stricter regulations on children who ride electric bikes and scooters, as part of efforts to prioritize public safety.

The village of Hinsdale is taking strict action by banning children from operating electric scooters.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

For many electric bikes, there are no age requirements. But, under state law, e-bikes need to have an output under 750 watts.

The penalties are high for those caught breaking the rules.

“An ordinance fine for a e-bike citation or scooter citation could be up to $750,” Hinsdale Police Deputy Chief Tom Lillie said.

Since the ordinance went into effect on May 5, the village of Hinsdale says they have given out 150 citations.

“We think it’s a ticking time bomb. Someone’s going to get hurt, seriously, if not die, if action isn’t taken,” Village President Greg Hart said.

According to Hart, there have been incidents where e-scooters or bikes have collided with cars, but fortunately, no injuries have been reported. He mentions that most of the riders using these electric devices are middle school students.

“I believe there is absolutely no justification for a child under 18 to be riding a vehicle capable of reaching 50 miles per hour, especially when many do so without a helmet,” stated Hart.

Officials believe the uptick in parents buying e-scooters and e-bikes is due to the financial cost going down.

RELATED: Segway recalls 220K scooters due to fall hazard after multiple injuries reported

“The abundance we have seen is because a bike that was, say, under $1,000 last year is now maybe $300 this year,” Lillie said.

Those unlawfully riding the devices not only face a fine, but just one conviction can prevent a pre-teen’s ability to get a driver’s license.

Hinsdale is not alone in their efforts. The village of Schaumburg set a minimum age of 16 for riders.

Local businesses are joining in, too, putting up not just signs, but their own version of barricades to halt kids from riding e-scooters and e-bikes in the area.

“You don’t have to ride your bike in the parking lot of a grocery store; go somewhere to an empty lot or something,” Kramer Foods Manager Michael Kinnavy said.

Kinnavy says kids riding e-bikes and e-scooters were putting his customers in danger at the Kramer Grocery Store in downtown Hinsdale. They put up grocery carts as barricades, but it might’ve heightened temptation.

“We do get some kids that are still kind of swerving in, more like a game now,” Kinnavy said.

And some parents are joining calls to put public safety first.

“You do have to keep an eye out, and just a matter of time for an accident happens with a pedestrian or a driver,” Hinsdale parent Tom Urban said.

Hinsdale is also making efforts to educate children on the potential risks of riding motorized bikes and scooters.

Copyright © 2025 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Trump says he's ending trade talks with Canada over TV ads

Trump Halts Trade Negotiations with Canada in Response to Television Advertisements

In a striking development on Thursday evening, President Donald Trump declared an…
Manhattan, IL news: Vigil held after 2 junior high students die within days, including boy on bicycle killed in semi-trailer crash

Community Gathers in Manhattan, IL to Honor Junior High Students After Tragic Losses, Including Fatal Bicycle-Semi Trailer Incident

MANHATTAN, Ill. — A close-knit community in the southwest suburbs is grappling…
Alabama execution: State executes Anthony Boyd with nitrogen gas for 1993 murder of Gregory Huguley over $200 drug debt

Alabama Makes History: First Execution by Nitrogen Gas for 1993 Murder Case

ATMORE, Ala. — An Alabama man, implicated in a 1993 murder involving…
US kills 6 suspected narco-terrorists in overnight strike on alleged drug smuggling boat, Hegseth says

U.S. Conducts Overnight Strike Eliminating Six Suspected Narco-Terrorists on Alleged Drug-Smuggling Vessel, Hegseth Reports

President Donald Trump authorized a nighttime U.S. military strike on a vessel…
Oswego, Illinois Chick-fil-A: Darryl Lee Jr., 19, charged with murder in stabbing attacks at restaurant on Route 34, officials say

Tragic Incident: 19-Year-Old Charged with Murder in Oswego’s Route 34 Chick-fil-A Stabbing

OSWEGO, Ill. (WLS) — Authorities have charged a suspect in connection with…
Frantic manhunt launched after asylum seeker who sexually assaulted teen accidentally freed from prison

Intense Manhunt Underway: Asylum Seeker Mistakenly Released After Teen Sexual Assault Conviction

Criticism has been directed at the UK’s immigration system following the inadvertent…
CPS news: Some Chicago Board of Education members call for Chicago Public Sshools remote learning amid immigration operations

Chicago Board Members Urge CPS to Consider Remote Learning in Response to Immigration Actions

CHICAGO — A renewed push for remote learning in Chicago Public Schools…
Palisades Fire suspect has courtroom outburst while pleading not guilty at arraignment

Suspect in Palisades Fire Case Disrupts Courtroom During Not Guilty Plea

The man accused of igniting what authorities have called “one of the…
Coast Guard nabs 50 tons of cocaine bound for posh coastal enclaves as cartel ops ‘rival Amazon’: expert

Coast Guard Seizes 50 Tons of Cocaine Destined for Luxury Coastal Areas, Says Expert

The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) recently declared a significant triumph in the…
Taylor Swift earns first Songwriters Hall of Fame nomination in debut year of eligibility

Taylor Swift Celebrates Her First Nomination for Songwriters Hall of Fame in First Year of Eligibility

In a groundbreaking move, pop sensation Taylor Swift might soon make history…
FBI opens investigation after driver allegedly rams ICE vehicle during Arizona traffic stop attempt

FBI Investigates After Driver Allegedly Collides with ICE Vehicle in Arizona Traffic Stop

In a startling event on Thursday morning, a vehicle carrying two Immigration…
Dashcam video shows deadly freeway crash involving suspected illegal immigrant trucker

Shocking Dashcam Footage Reveals Fatal Freeway Collision Involving Alleged Undocumented Trucker

A shocking dashcam video has emerged capturing a fatal incident on a…