Overview
- A 16‑year‑old, identified as Alex Blacio, lost control of an e‑scooter and was fatally struck by a semi‑truck on North Western Avenue while riding home from work on Monday, and Chicago police say citations against the truck driver are pending as the major accidents unit investigates.
- Hours later in the suburbs, a child on an e‑bike suffered life‑threatening injuries in Crystal Lake when struck by a vehicle, and local crash units continue to probe that incident.
- Officials and families have held vigils and launched fundraisers for victims while calling attention to gaps in enforcement and scant protective infrastructure such as continuous bike lanes on busy streets.
- Lawmakers and state officials have moved to tighten rules for high‑speed devices, with a new Illinois law that sets minimum ages for low‑speed classes and requires licensing, titling, registration and insurance for faster e‑bikes and e‑motos starting Jan. 1, 2027.
- The incidents come as micromobility use has surged — the city logged more than 7 million e‑scooter trips last year and emergency responses to scooter incidents rose sharply between 2022 and 2025 — prompting calls for helmets, speed limits, clearer policing authority and infrastructure investments.