The way I see it, there are some attempts at control, but not enough.
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The Cook County Forest Preserve paths have a speed limit now, and only class 1 and 2 are allowed. There's also a set of Trail Watch volunteers who can provide education and call in a report. (I've been one for years.) That's the good news. The bad news: Enforcement
of path speed limits is not a priority (relative to dumping, poaching, and drunken picknickers getting into fights, for instance.) Trail Watch isn't effective, because catching up to the e-bike rider going too fast isn't going to work.
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I sat through the Glenview village board discussion about changing the existing ordinance banning all e-bikes and scooters (not enforced). I was struck by these points:
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No training on rules of the road is required, e.g. for youth who haven't gone through driver training. So the Glenview Police propose not allowing those under 16 to use the e-bike motor. They can ride the e-bike,
but not use the motor. (they are dreaming here). But perhaps some equivalent of driver training / traffic school should be required for e-bike riders.
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The police feel a lot of the issue is things that aren't really e-bikes. They are either small dirt bikes (that go faster) or e-bikes that have been modified to go greater than 20 mph.
So, enforcement is going to be a big issue to eliminate danger without the police getting nitpicky (e.g. Highland Park police wanting cyclists to put a foot down to indicate they stopped at stop signs).
But, as Dave Barish pointed out e-bikes can be enabling. A friend of mine is battling severe health issues, including weakness and balance issues. So he can't ride his 2 wheel recumbent any more, and just purchased an e-trike, and a ramp to get it into his
small SUV. This is a pretty clear example of an e-bike being enabling for a long-time cyclist who doesn't want to give it up. (and given the price of an e-trike, definitely a commitment!)