A growing number of Chicago suburbs are instituting their own rules on the use of e-bikes and electric scooters — above and beyond state regulations — but Elgin-area municipalities have yet to make any changes so far.

“Elgin is in the early stages of developing an Active Mobility Plan, which will include community engagement to gather input on improving safety and connectivity for people walking, biking and rolling in Elgin,” city spokesman Jeff Knox said. “As the planning process moves forward, staff will closely consider community feedback, including any concerns related to e-bikes and other micro-mobility options.”

Knox said the city hasn’t seen a significant number of issues related to e-bikes.

“In the past 12 months, only seven incidents specifically mentioning electric bikes were reported,” he said. “These included a small number of traffic complaints and accidents, most of which did not result in enforcement action.”

Additionally, the Elgin Police Department’s patrol division has not reported any patterns or concerns with misuse, with only four citations involving motorized bikes issued since January 2024 and just 11 total since January 2020, he said.

“These figures suggest that e-bike use in Elgin has not presented a widespread public safety concern,” Knox said.

Towns neighboring Elgin have taken to social media in recent weeks to let people know about existing e-bike and electric scooter regulations.

The South Elgin Police Department reminded e-bike and scooter riders that there is a 10 mph speed limit for those vehicles on local trails, parks and shared-use paths. That’s the result of an ordinance that went into effect in November, South Elgin spokesman Craig Pierce said.

At this point, village staff is looking into whether it will put any other restrictions in place, but there are no specifics to share yet, Pierce said.

“As South Elgin is not a home rule community, officials will need to talk with the village attorney and trustees about what is and isn’t feasible and what is enforceable by simply following Illinois laws defining road usage, rules, acceptable modes of transportation and such,” he said. “So, right now we’re at the gathering info and insights stage.”

West Dundee police also have reminded residents of the state’s e-bike and scooter statutes and the village ordinance that prohibits the operation of motorized foot scooters on any public street, sidewalk or bike path in the village. Such devices are not allowed on public property and may only be used on private property with the owner’s consent.

“Our motorized scooter/skateboard ordinance has been in effect since 2011,” West Dundee Police Chief Shawn Green said.

The police department’s social media post also said, “Under 625 ILCS 5/11-1517, electric bikes must meet specific criteria depending on their class. Class 3 e-bikes (capable of speeds up to 28 MPH) cannot be operated by anyone under 16 and may not be used on bike paths or trails unless specifically authorized. Riders must follow all the rules of the road, just like traditional cyclists.”

Carpentersville posted a similar social media message that noted limitations on the use of motorized recreational devices:

“With the exception of authorized village employees and officers, United States Postal Service employees and other authorized governmental employees performing official business, no person shall operate or ride a motorized recreational device upon a private property within the village limits without express consent of the property owner or within any of the following places in the village.”The list included private streets and rights-of-ways; public streets and rights-of-ways; public sidewalks; public parking lots or areas; public parks and “any other public property not identified in this section.”

Carpentersville Village Manager Brad Stewart said electric scooters are already prohibited to be driven by anyone under the age of 18. He noted that the state law does not further limit the driver based on having a valid driver’s license.

“We are further exploring what, if any, additional changes might be made to our ordinance,” Stewart said.

East Dundee recently started allowing golf carts and utility task vehicles, known as UTVs, to be used on village roads under certain conditions and restrictions. Among them, they must be registered with the village and limited only to village-owned streets.

As for e-bikes and electric scooters, the village is following state law with no intent currently to take local action, East Dundee Police Chief Joshua Fourdyce said.

That could change as the use of e-bikes and scooters becomes more prevalent in the village, he said.

Mike Danahey is a freelance reporter for The Courier-News.