Mayor Kevin Timmermann continues to caution Breese residents about the use of electronic bikes and scooters.
Timmermann talked about the new regulations going into effect Jan. 1, 2027, for electronic bikes and scooters during the Breese City Council meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 15.
There are different classifications for the electronic vehicles.
"What we are seeing in town right now is there are a lot of youngsters with the scooters and bikes and they have to obey the traffic laws, the stop signs and everything," Timmermann said. "What we are seeing right now is that they are just flying up and down the road."
Timmermann said an electronic bicycle is made for one and is not made for two or more kids on the bike.
In August, Gov. JB Pritzker signed Senate Bill 3484 which will have new rules governing who can use electric bikes and scooters.
The bill includes age limit requirements, speed limits and rules on where they can be operated. It creates statewide standards for high-speed electric bikes and scooters, electric motor bikes, and electric unicycles and skateboards.
Starting on Jan. 1, 2027, drivers must be 15 years old to operate a Class 1 pedal-assist bike that travels up to 20 miles per hour, and a Class 2 motor-powered bike that doesn't have to be pedaled. People must be 16 years old to drive pedal-assist bikes that can travel up to 28 miles per hour.
The new regulations will limit riders to traveling up to 28 miles per hour.
"Parents need to be aware that this is going to become new law in 2027," Timmermann said. "We have to enforce these new regulations."
Timmermann and Breese Police Chief Mark Berndsen said parents should educate themselves and go on the Secretary of State website to read the new regulations.
"I don't want to see it come Christmas time and parents are buying these e-bikes and e-scooters for their kids and they are going to find out they are too young to be on them," Timmermann said.
Berndsen said the e-bikes and e-scooters have been a headache all year long with the kids darting in and out of traffic.
"All I have ever asked for is for them to be safe," Berndsen said. "Parents have asked me 'Are these things safe?' I tell them, 'They are only as safe as what your kid is going to be on a bike or on an e-bike.' It doesn't matter what it is, if they are going to be jetting out in front of traffic and not stopping at stop signs when traffic is coming, there are going to be problems and somebody is going to get hurt."
Timmermann talked to a business who sells e-bikes and he said they are handing parents the new legislation to educate them.
"They are being up front with their patrons," Timmermann said. "Parents need to read this bill. This is not a joke. These kids are just flying down the road. When you are going 15 miles per hour on these little e-bikes, you can't stop, and you are on a rock road, something is going to happen one day."
Timmermann said he will continue to bring up the issue until the end of the year.
"Beware before you buy," Timmermann said.
