Barnesville Police Issue E-Bike, Electric Scooter Guidelines
Release
BARNESIVLLE – E-Bikes and electric scooters are becoming more common in our community. Whether you’re riding one yourself or you’re a parent purchasing one for your child, it’s important to know exactly what you’re riding, where you can ride it, and what the law requires.
The Barnesville Police Department wants everyone to 𝗥𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗦𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘁. 𝗥𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗦𝗮𝗳𝗲. 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗼𝗮𝗱.
𝗙𝗜𝗥𝗦𝗧 — 𝗞𝗡𝗢𝗪 𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗤𝗨𝗔𝗟𝗜𝗙𝗜𝗘𝗦 𝗔𝗦 𝗔𝗡 𝗘-𝗕𝗜𝗞𝗘
Under Ohio law, an electric bicycle must have fully operable pedals and an electric motor of less than 750 watts.
There are three classes:
- 𝗖𝗟𝗔𝗦𝗦 𝟭 — Pedal-assist only; assistance stops at 20 MPH.
- 𝗖𝗟𝗔𝗦𝗦 𝟮 — Throttle or pedal-assist; assistance stops at 20 MPH.
- 𝗖𝗟𝗔𝗦𝗦 𝟯 — Pedal-assist only; assistance stops at 28 MPH.
𝗡𝗢 𝗣𝗘𝗗𝗔𝗟𝗦 = 𝗡𝗢𝗧 𝗔𝗡 𝗢𝗛𝗜𝗢 𝗘-𝗕𝗜𝗞𝗘.
A device that looks like an E-Bike but does not have fully operable pedals may not be treated as an E-Bike under Ohio law. Don’t assume that because a device is sold as an “E-Bike” that it can legally be operated anywhere an E-Bike can.
𝗔𝗚𝗘 𝗥𝗘𝗤𝗨𝗜𝗥𝗘𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗖𝗟𝗔𝗦𝗦 𝟯
You must be at least 16 years old to operate a Class 3 E-Bike. Ohio law prohibits anyone under 16 from operating a Class 3 E-Bike. Also, anyone operating or riding as a passenger on a Class 3 E-Bike must wear a protective helmet that meets the applicable safety standards.
𝗦𝗜𝗗𝗘𝗪𝗔𝗟𝗞 𝗥𝗨𝗟𝗘 — 𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗦 𝗜𝗦 𝗜𝗠𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗔𝗡𝗧!
One of the most important things for Barnesville riders to understand is the difference between riding an E-Bike on a sidewalk and operating the motor while on the sidewalk.
Under Ohio Revised Code 4511.711 and Village of Barnesville Ordinance 331.37: An E-Bike may be ridden on a sidewalk 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗶𝘀 𝗡𝗢𝗧 𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗱, subject to applicable laws and local regulations.
𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗠𝗢𝗧𝗢𝗥 𝗠𝗨𝗦𝗧 𝗕𝗘 𝗗𝗜𝗦𝗘𝗡𝗚𝗔𝗚𝗘𝗗.
Do not use the motor while riding your E-Bike on the sidewalk.
And remember:
𝗡𝗢 𝗣𝗘𝗗𝗔𝗟𝗦? 𝗡𝗢 𝗥𝗜𝗗𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗔𝗦 𝗔𝗡 𝗘-𝗕𝗜𝗞𝗘.
If your device doesn’t have fully operable pedals, don’t assume the sidewalk rule for E-Bikes applies to it. Ohio law specifically states that a vehicle may not be driven on a sidewalk except for a bicycle or electric bicycle when the motor is not engaged, with specific exceptions, including law enforcement officers performing their duties.
𝗞𝗡𝗢𝗪 𝗪𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗘 𝗬𝗢𝗨’𝗥𝗘 𝗥𝗜𝗗𝗜𝗡𝗚
Different types of E-Bikes and electric devices can have different rules for:
• Sidewalks
• Roadways
• Bike lanes
• Shared-use paths
• Parks and trails
• Natural-surface trails
(Barnesville Police Department images)
𝗔𝗹𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻𝘀, 𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗿𝘂𝗹𝗲𝘀, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗢𝗵𝗶𝗼 𝗹𝗮𝘄.
Class 1 and Class 2 E-Bikes generally have broader access to bicycle and shared-use paths, while Class 3 E-Bikes have additional restrictions unless the path is authorized for Class 3 use. Natural-surface trails and other paths intended primarily for hiking, equestrian use, mountain biking, or similar activities also have additional restrictions.
𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗔𝗕𝗢𝗨𝗧 𝗘𝗟𝗘𝗖𝗧𝗥𝗜𝗖 𝗦𝗖𝗢𝗢𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗦?
Electric scooters and other low-speed micromobility devices are not the same thing as E-Bikes. Ohio law defines a low speed micromobility device as a device weighing less than 100 pounds, with handlebars, propelled by an electric motor or human power, and capable of no more than 20 MPH by electric motor on a paved level surface. These devices have their own rules and can also be subject to local regulations.
𝗞𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝘆𝗽𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗱𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗶𝘁.
𝗦𝗔𝗙𝗘𝗧𝗬 𝗙𝗜𝗥𝗦𝗧
Regardless of what you’re riding:
- 𝗪𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗮 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗺𝗲𝘁.
- Use a white front light and red rear reflectors when riding at night.
- Stay alert and don’t ride distracted.
- Don’t use earbuds or headphones while riding.
- Never ride under the influence.
- Obey stop signs, traffic signals and other signs.
- Use proper hand signals.
- Yield to pedestrians.
- Make eye contact and be predictable.
- Look before turning or crossing.
- Share the road and give at least 3 feet when passing when applicable.
- Make sure your E-Bike or scooter is in safe operating condition.
𝗣𝗔𝗥𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗦 — 𝗣𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗘 𝗧𝗔𝗞𝗘 𝗔 𝗠𝗜𝗡𝗨𝗧𝗘 𝗧𝗢 𝗖𝗛𝗘𝗖𝗞 𝗬𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗖𝗛𝗜𝗟𝗗’𝗦 𝗘-𝗕𝗜𝗞𝗘 & 𝗘𝗗𝗨𝗖𝗔𝗧𝗘 𝗬𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗖𝗛𝗜𝗟𝗗𝗥𝗘𝗡 𝗢𝗡 𝗦𝗔𝗙𝗘 𝗢𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡
Before allowing your child to ride, know:
What class is it?
How powerful is the motor?
Does it have fully operable pedals?
What is its maximum assisted speed?
How old must the rider be?
Where can it legally be ridden?
A device that looks like an E-Bike may actually fall into a different category under Ohio law. Don’t rely solely on what the manufacturer or retailer calls it. Know the specifications and know the law.
𝗩𝗜𝗟𝗟𝗔𝗚𝗘 𝗢𝗙 𝗕𝗔𝗥𝗡𝗘𝗦𝗩𝗜𝗟𝗟𝗘 𝗢𝗥𝗗𝗜𝗡𝗔𝗡𝗖𝗘 𝟯𝟯𝟭.𝟯𝟳 –
𝗗𝗥𝗜𝗩𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗨𝗣𝗢𝗡 𝗦𝗜𝗗𝗘𝗪𝗔𝗟𝗞𝗦, 𝗦𝗧𝗥𝗘𝗘𝗧 𝗟𝗔𝗪𝗡𝗦 𝗢𝗥 𝗖𝗨𝗥𝗕𝗦
Barnesville Ordinance 331.37 provides, in part, that a person may not drive a vehicle on a sidewalk or sidewalk area, other than a bicycle or an electric bicycle if the 𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗶𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗱, except upon a permanent or duly authorized temporary driveway.
The ordinance also prohibits driving a vehicle on a street lawn area or curb except where legally authorized. Violations can carry misdemeanor penalties, with increased penalties for certain repeat traffic offenses. Additional fines may apply when distracted activity contributes to the violation. ORC 4511.711 also applies.
𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗕𝗢𝗧𝗧𝗢𝗠 𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗘
- KNOW YOUR E-BIKE.
- KNOW THE CLASS.
- KNOW THE AGE REQUIREMENTS.
- KNOW WHERE YOU CAN RIDE.
- KEEP THE MOTOR DISENGAGED ON THE SIDEWALK.
- NO PEDALS = NOT AN E-BIKE.
- AND ALWAYS RIDE RESPONSIBLY.
We want everyone to enjoy these devices while helping keep riders, pedestrians, drivers and our entire community safe.
𝗪𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻?
We’ve created a dedicated E-Bike & Electric Scooter Safety page with information about E-Bike classifications, Ohio law, Barnesville Ordinance 331.37, sidewalk rules, safety tips, and more.
𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲: www.BarnesvilleOhio.com/ebikes
(Barnesville Police Department Release)
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