‘We want to educate families’: Vernon Hills Park District pursues e-bike safety campaign

Concerned with increasing use and high speeds, the Vernon Hills Park District has launched a campaign to set clear guidelines for e-bikes and other devices and promote safety.

“Our Parks are for Pedals” outlines the district’s recently enacted e-bike ordinance, which provides safety tips and general definitions, and lists devices permitted on trails and paths.

It’s a short list: Only Class 1 e-bikes, which are pedal-assist only with motor support up to 20 miles per hour, are allowed.

Class 2 (throttle assist) and Class 3 pedal-assist but with speed up to 28 mph, minibikes and trail bikes and a variety of “micromobility devices,” including power-driven scooters or skateboards, are prohibited.

Yard signs will be placed in parks, flyers handed out at special events, and postcards being printed for distribution in parks and by police. Social media posts and community emails are part of the effort make sure the message is received.

Also, a QR code leads to a conduct ordinance that has a more detailed explanation of the policy. Visit Section 3.03 of the conduct ordinance on the district’s website, https://www.vhparkdistrict.org/.

E-bikes and other devices had not been specifically addressed in park district ordinances, according to Matt LaPorte, executive director.

Based on feedback from residents, mainly regarding high-speed e-bikes and trail bikes used by teens and with use of the devices a pervasive topic among public agencies district rules were reviewed and updated, he added.

He said there haven’t been any accidents or issues of note but the district wants to be proactive before anything arises and the campaign is meant to be informative rather than punitive.

“We’re not really out there to have negative interactions,” LaPorte said. “We want to make sure we educate families before they purchase these devices before the holidays and they’re making the right choice.”

Vernon Hills police, which has jurisdiction in the parks, has partnered with the district, schools and others to educate riders on e-bike use and rules.

In the village, e-bikes are not allowed on sidewalks. Riders must be 16 or older to ride a Class 3 bike and must follow state rules of the road. Electric dirt bikes, ATVs and similar vehicles are allowed only on private property.

With a growing number of municipalities and other entities enacting regulations, the nonprofit Ride Illinois Bicycle Advocacy organization wants to eliminate confusion and says laws recently passed in California, Colorado, Minnesota and Utah could be a model for similar legislation in Illinois.

In August, Ride Illinois and the Active Transportation Alliance hosted a webinar to educate public officials.