The State of Illinois decided e-scooters were prohibited by drivers under the age of 18.
E-bikes are also prohibited by drivers under the age of 16.
Citing safety reasons, the state trudged up a nice list of prohibitions on e-scooters, even requiring violators under age 18 to lose their license till age 18. E-bikes however are allowed to be driven at speeds up to 28 mph by drivers 16 and up.
In an effort to exhibit some local control, however little it may be since Peotone is non-home rule, the police committee discussed an ordinance that was placed on the July 14 meeting agenda.
Members of the police commission, chair Trustee Julie Sluis, and Trustees Pat Bowden and Jackie Richards, met on July 9 to discuss. Police Chief David DeMik, Administrator Nick Palmer, and Trustee Todd Sandberg were also in attendance.
To be home rule in Illinois, a municipality must have more than 25,000 residents or approve home rule by referendum. Otherwise, as a non-home rule, the municipality is subjected to following Illinois laws and does not have the power to enact ordinances that differ or give the municipality local control. The issue was discussed previously when surrounding municipalities had the ability to enact ordinances regarding migrant situations and Peotone could not.
After much research by Chief DeMik and Administrator Palmer, it was determined Peotone could enact an ordinance stipulating a local violation could be issued circumventing a state violation that could have more severe penalties.
It would not however, make the e-scooters legal.
Illinois law currently prohibits anyone under the age of 18 to ride an e-scooter that can go more than 10-mph. If it can go over 10-mph, it’s considered a motorcycle and then, even after age 18, Illinois law requires a motorcycle license and insurance for that scooter to be legal.
Yep, an 18 year old must have a motorcycle license and insurance to ride an e-scooter. Punishments include moving violations. If under age 18, the youth could lose their license till age 18. If over 18, and two moving violations in 24 months, the young adult could lose their license for 30 days, have to attend driver’s remedial school, and several hundred dollars of fees to get their license back.
Peotone isn’t immune to the scooter issue. The Chief reported there’s been three accidents in town with children, and the ambulance was called for all three. In one case, one child went through the windshield of a car. All three accidents were the scooter driver’s fault.
Current Peotone ordinances already prohibit scooters, bikes, and skateboards in the downtown. This ordinance doesn’t change that.
“I would love for the kids to ride their scooters and have fun on them. Unfortunately, there’s plenty of kids out there who don’t’ pay attention. The kids who do pay attention and follow the rules are going to pay the penalties. Unfortunately, the state has tied our hands,” said Mayor Chris Vieaux.
The ordinance was passed at the July 14 meeting and goes into effect immediately.
Wondering why a child needs to be 18 for a scooter but 16 to drive a car?
I see kids much younger than 18 riding them all the time.