'Harder' Line In Burr Ridge On E-Bikes?

BURR RIDGE, IL – Burr Ridge is looking at enacting regulations for electric bicycles and other such motorized vehicles.

At this week's Village Board meeting, Village Administrator Evan Walter put forward draft rules, saying, "We're not quite there yet."

The regulations would allow e-bikes, e-scooters and similar vehicles on village sidewalks and pathways at a maximum of 10 mph.

Under the proposed rules, go-karts and other such vehicles would also be allowed on sidewalks and pathways. But they would be banned on streets.

Trustee Russell Smith said he would take a "harder line" on the issue.

"I don't want anything motorized on our pathways, way too dangerous," he said. "I just see a lot of risk with anything motorized or battery-operated on our pathways. In my opinion, unless it has a valid license on that apparatus, whatever it is, I don't think it belongs on our public streets or our public pathways."

Mayor Gary Grasso said he understood the concern, but said he rides an e-bike from his house in north Burr Ridge to his law office in central Hinsdale.

He agreed he shouldn't ride on sidewalks and pathways, but should be able to do so on streets.

"I don't think we can prohibit me from riding a bike in my neighborhood," the mayor said. "I just don't think we have that authority. We can only do what the state allows us to do."

Trustee Guy Franzese disagreed with the proposal.

"The way it is currently written, I could ride my gas-powered mini bike on a village pathway, which I think is unacceptable," he said.

Grasso said the village wanted local feedback, particularly from parents who buy such vehicles for their children.

"I think we all agree there is a problem," he said.