Winnetka families sending kids to school on e-bikes face a $100 fine if those riders skip helmets, ride on sidewalks or break the village's other e-bike rules this fall.
Police Chief Brian O'Connell issued a back-to-school reminder Tuesday, Aug. 25, laying out the key provisions of the village's e-bike ordinance as students return to classrooms and the Green Bay Trail fills with two-wheeled commuters.
The rules are straightforward. Helmets are mandatory on every ride, no exceptions. Riders under 16 must have adult supervision on Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes. Class 3 e-bikes, which can reach motor-assisted speeds of 28 mph, are off-limits entirely for anyone under 16.
Sidewalks are banned for riding.
Students heading to school must stick to streets, village bike paths, the Green Bay Trail, or parks and parking lots. Walking an e-bike along business district sidewalks is allowed.
The ordinance also requires riders to obey posted speed limits, keep both hands on the handlebars near crosswalks and school zones, and leave their bikes unmodified. No aftermarket throttles, no speed modifications, no brake alterations.
Violations carry a $100 fine. For minors, parents or guardians can be held responsible for the penalty too.
The village board unanimously adopted the e-bike ordinance on Sept. 16, 2025, giving e-bikes what The Record North Shore described as a "softer touch" compared to stricter rules imposed on e-scooters and motor-driven bikes. The local rules now operate alongside a statewide Illinois e-bike law that took effect July 1, 2026, creating uniform classifications for micromobility devices across the state.
Micromobility-related injuries and fatalities surged 300 percent nationally between 2019 and 2022, according to the Illinois Secretary of State's Office. In September 2025, a 16-year-old suburban rider was killed after striking a pickup truck while riding an e-bike at high speed in Arlington Heights without a helmet.
O'Connell urged parents to have a conversation with their children before the first ride to school. The village's full e-bike regulations are posted on the Winnetka Police Department's website.
