Multiple sources communicating with CARDINAL NEWS, who do not want to be identified, have specified that the 16 year-old Mount Prospect teen killed at Grove Street and Reuter Driver was operating a friend’s Class III e-bike that may have been illegally modified to travel faster than the manufacturer’s design, or may have been an out-of-class motorized bike illegally modified to travel as high as 80 MPH. The teen involved in the fatal crash was not wearing a helmet, and was estimated to have been traveling 30 to 40 MPH when he disobeyed a stop sign and crashed into a pickup truck. The crash victim suffered a severe head injury with severe blood loss and multiple lower extremity fractures. He later died at Level 1 Trauma Center Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge.
The Arlington Heights Police Department did not specify the make and model of the motorized two-wheeler, so there is no official word whether the bike was an illegally modified Class III e-bike or an illegally modified out-of-class vehicle or an emoto brand bike.
The best police, sheriff’s office, and public safety press releases received at CARDINAL NEWS usually indicate the make and model of motorized vehicles that have been involved in crashes. This is especially important at this time because of the confusing classifications of motorized bicycles and motorized two-wheel vehicles. Unfortunately, the Arlington Heights Police Department did not release details about the two-wheel vehicle with last night’s press release. The vehicle was simply described as an e-bicycle in the press release.
Ironically, police administrators were defining motorized two-wheel vehicle classes (categories), and proposed regulations during the Village Board meeting that was ongoing at the time of the fatal crash response and investigation at Reuter Drive and Grove Street — a distance of 1.5 miles away from Village Hall. Several trustees during the meeting mentioned personal stories about observing dangerous e-bike situations, or mentioned their own fears and concerns about e-bikes, or frequent comments from constituents about e-bikes.
The State of Illinois recognizes three legal classes of low-speed e-bikes …
Class 1 is a low-speed electric bicycle equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling and that ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches a speed of 20 mph.
Class 2 is a low-speed electric bicycle equipped with a motor that may be used exclusively to propel the bicycle and that is not capable of providing assistance when the bicycle reaches a speed of 20 mph.
Class 3 is a low-speed electric bicycle equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling and that ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches a speed of 28 mph. Per Illinois law, one must be 16 years of age or older to operate a Class 3 e-bike.
There is another type of vehicle with an electric motor greater than 750 watts that in Illinois is not a legally recognized e-bike class. Any type of device with an electric motor beyond a Class 1, 2, or 3 electric bicycle is not a legal e-bike and should not be advertised, sold, offered for sale, or labeled as an e-bike, according to the State of Illinois. These faster vehicles are commonly referred to as e-motos (aka Out-of-Class Electric Vehicles (OCEVs)).
The Village Board at the August 11, 2025 Village Board Meeting, delayed and deferred the issue of e-bikes, but moved to prioritize regulations regarding Class 3 electric bicycles, e-motos, reckless driving, and location restrictions. An interim ordinance was planned for a decision on Tuesday night, September 15, 2025.
The interim ordinance would cover the following …
Regulations for Class III E-Bikes and Out-of-Class Electric Devices (e-motos)
Reckless operation regulated for all motorized mobility, vehicles or devices, including a minimum operator age of 16 year-old or older on Class III E-Bikes and Out-of-Class vehicles.
Location restrictions to include prohibition of sidewalk use in the B-5 Zoning District, closing of right of way areas at approved special events, prohibition of motorized bike operation in village parking lots and village garages.
Safety Equipment requirements for all motorized mobility vehicles or devices, which includes lights, reflectors, a helmet, and brakes
Establishment of parental responsibility
Completion of the interim ordinance is being accomplished with additional perspectives and recommendations from the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission, the Senior Commission, and the Youth Commission.
Penalties
First offense: $75
Second offense: $150
Third offense or reckless incident: $250
Operation by individual under 16 years of age results in minor and adult possibly being fined.
Impoundment of motorized mobility device would occur upon third offense or any reckless operation. The fee of $250 would be returned to the owner if the owner is found not liable.
Village Manager Randy Recklaus indicated that a robust public information campaign would be established if the ordinance is approved.
Trustee Bill Manganaro described some neighboring municipalities as having “Draconian” regulations he said “while we’re nowhere near that.”
Trustee Greg Zyck was concerned about the regulations that cover riding these vehicles on streets, such as Arlington Heights Road.
Trustee Robin LaBedz reported that the motorized bicycle issue is the most commented issue she hears currently. She said people are frightened about injuring someone — especially a young person. LaBedz questioned how police officers identify the class of vehicle. Arlington Heights Police Department Deputy Chief Greg Czernecki said that a police officer would need to stop and inspect a bike to determine the class.
Trustee Tom Schwingbeck said that he does not think “we have tightened this thing up enough” because the age group under 16 is the most serious part of this problem.
Trustee Carina Santa Marina was concerned whether incident reports include reporting the class of bike. Deputy Chief Greg Czernecki replied that currently the class of bike is not documented, but it could be.
Trustee Bill Manganaro moved to amend Chapter 18 of the Municipal Code, the motion was seconded by Trustee Tom Schwingbeck, and the vote of the full board was unanimous to amend.
Village Board Members
Seated from Left to Right
(for audience facing board)
Trustee Thomas F. Schwingbeck Jr – Yes
(President Pro Tem)
Trustee Carina Santa Maria – Yes
Trustee Wendy Dunnington – Yes
Trustee James J. Bertucci – Yes
Mayor Jim Tinaglia – Yes
Trustee Robin LaBedz – Yes
Trustee Scott Shirley – Absence
Trustee Bill Manganaro – Yes
Trustee Greg Zyck – Yes
In a tragic irony, just before a village board meeting that would discuss amended regulations for the safety of e-bikes and other motorized vehicles began at 7:30 p.m. Monday, September 15, 2025; police, firefighters and paramedics from Arlington Heights responded at 7:28 p.m. to a report of a crash involving an e-bike and a pickup truck at Reuter Drive and Grove Street in Arlington Heights. The 16 year-old operator of the e-bike died following the crash. The Arlington Heights Police Department closed Grove Street near the crash scene for an on-scene investigation, and is continuing to investigate the fatal traffic crash that occurred at the intersection of South Reuter Drive and West Grove Street on Monday, September 15th, 2025 around 7:28 p.m.
A caller to 9-1-1 reported an e-bicycle and rider struck a gray, 2021 Ford F150 pick-up truck. The operator of the e-bicycle, later identified as a 16 year-old male from Mount Prospect, was reported unconscious. Arlington Heights police, firefighters and paramedics arrived on-scene and discovered the e-bicycle operator with traumatic injuries. Arlington Heights Fire Department paramedics immediately assessed the teen e-biker and began advanced lifesaving efforts.
The 16 year-old teen e-bicyclist was transported to Level 1 Trauma Center Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge due to the level of serious and traumatic injuries, and was pronounced dead at 10:06 p.m. The driver, and sole occupant of the truck, was uninjured, according to the Arlington Heights Police Department.
The identity of the e-bicyclist was not initially released. The immediate family of the e-bicycle operator was notified, according to the Arlington Heights Police Department. The Arlington Heights Police Department is not releasing any further identifying information until the family has had the opportunity to make further notifications.
Preliminary investigation revealed the e-bicycle operator was traveling northbound on Reuter Drive approaching the intersection with Grove Street. The motorist in the Ford F-150 was driving eastbound on Grove Street approaching Reuter Drive. The e-bicycle and rider entered the intersection, striking the Ford F-150 in the rear passenger door at a high rate of speed. The operator was not wearing a helmet. The intersection is controlled by a stop sign for Reuter Drive, with no traffic controls on Grove Street. The initial investigation suggests the operator of the e-bicycle disobeyed the stop sign, entering the intersection at a speed estimated by witnesses between 30-40 miles per hour. There was no suspicion of impairment for the driver of the Ford F150. Grove Street was closed, and remained closed for an extended period for evidence collection and scene investigation. The Arlington Heights Police Department’s Traffic Crash Investigators, Reconstructionist Specialists and Forensic Technicians continue the investigation.
There were no braking skid marks visible from the e-bike or the pickup truck. The e-bike came to rest about 20 feet from the stop sign into the intersection near the southeast corner of the intersection.
The information in this article is an early report published before any summary information was confirmed or released by police or fire authorities.
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