Scott Stantis editorial cartoon for Wed, Sept 24, 2025, on e-bikes and scooters (Scott Stantis)
By The Editorial Board | Chicago Tribune
E-bikes are a growing concern statewide, especially in the suburbs where teenage use is rising.
That problem turned into a tragedy last week when a 17-year-old boy from Mount Prospect was killed. Police say he failed to yield at a stop sign and crashed into a pickup truck.
Parents saw their own children in this tragedy. A knee-jerk reaction among some folks was to call for e-bikes and e-scooters to be banned. We understand that temptation, especially in light of this heartbreaking story.
Still, we wouldn’t go that far, but we recognize the growing tension as more e-bikes and scooters hit the streets and sidewalks.
We’ve seen these vehicles used responsibly, too, with drivers wearing protective helmets and navigating streets and sidewalks carefully and efficiently. Some of these drivers are teens getting to school.
But in practice, high-powered e-bikes function more like motorcycles, and yet teens can ride many classes of e-bikes under Illinois law without the licensing or training required for motorcyclists.
Illinois is struggling to keep up with changing technology and habits, but its rules must evolve and adapt.
Read more here.