04/03/2026
With the warm weather approaching quickly, we wanted to bring all of you some valuable information on E-Bikes.
E-bikes are great! We love to see people of all ages going outdoors and enjoying the city.
Soon, you will see officers patrolling on them as well!
One of our main goals is to keep everyone safe while they enjoy recreation around the city. There may be some things you didn't know about bicycles and electric bicycles (E-bikes).
There are three classes of E-bike; Class 1, Class 2, and Class 3. First let’s explore what each class means.
Class 1 – In this class, there is an electric assist motor. When you pedal the electric motor assists you with pedaling. Once you reach 20 MPH the motor assist stops and you are pedaling with your own power.
Class 2 - Class two is similar in that the pedal assist will work up to 20 MPH. The difference is, Class 2 bikes also have a throttle actuated motor which allow you to travel 20 MPH without pedaling.
Class 3 – This class is the fastest power assisted class which will reach a top speed of 28 MPH!
You may ask, why it’s important to know what class your bike is.
Certain class bikes have different Ohio laws as well as City of Ashland Ordnances.
Let’s first look at Ohio Revised Code 4511.711.
(A) No person shall drive any vehicle, other than a bicycle or an electric bicycle if the motor is not engaged, upon a sidewalk or sidewalk area except upon a permanent or duly authorized temporary driveway.
This prohibition does not apply to a law enforcement officer, or other person sworn to enforce the criminal and traffic laws of the state, using an electric bicycle with the motor engaged while in the performance of the officer's duties.
Nothing in this section shall be construed as prohibiting local authorities from regulating the operation of bicycles or electric bicycles within their respective jurisdictions, except that no local authority may require that bicycles or electric bicycles be operated on sidewalks.
Now let’s take a look at Ashland City Ordnance 373.11 Riding on Sidewalk.
(a) No person shall ride a bicycle or roller skates, sled, toy vehicle, skateboard or other similar device upon a sidewalk of the City within the business district.
Whenever any person is riding a bicycle or roller skates, sled, toy vehicle, skateboard or other similar device upon a sidewalk, other than within the business district, such a person shall yield the right of way to any pedestrian and shall give audible signal before overtaking and passing such pedestrian. (Ord. 28-90. Passed 5-1-90.)
(b) Whoever violates any provision of this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor on a first offense; on a second offense within one year after the first offense, the person is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree; on each subsequent offense within one year after the first offense, the person is guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree.
Whoa! This one goes back to May of 1990! It’s been a while since bikes on sidewalks in the business district have been prohibited. This predates the E-bike era but still holds true for ALL bikes including E-bikes.
The business district for our purposes mainly focuses on the downtown area. Main Street from Broad Street to Taylor Street. Please see the attached photo highlighting the area in red. Please keep in mind that the business district expands well beyond the downtown, shown on the map as well.
Okay, now let’s talk specifically about the E-bikes.
City Ordnance 373.13 Electric Bicycles states the following;
(a) (1) The operation of a class 1 electric bicycle and a class 2 electric bicycle is permitted on a path set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles or on a shared-use path, unless the Municipality by resolution, ordinance, or rule prohibits the use of a class 1 electric bicycle or class 2 electric bicycle on such a path.
(2) No person shall operate a class 3 electric bicycle on a path set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles or a shared-use path unless that path is within or adjacent to a highway or the Municipality by resolution, ordinance, or rule authorizes the use of a class 3 electric bicycle on such a path.
(3) No person shall operate a class 1 electric bicycle, a class 2 electric bicycle or a class 3 electric bicycle on a path that is intended to be used primarily for mountain biking, hiking, equestrian use, or other similar uses, or any other single track or natural surface trail that has historically been reserved for nonmotorized use, unless the Municipality by resolution, ordinance or rule authorizes the use of a class 1 electric bicycle, a class 2 electric bicycle, or a class 3 electric bicycle on such a path.
(4) Subsections (a)(2) and (a)(3) of this section do not apply to a law enforcement officer, or other person sworn to enforce the criminal and traffic laws of the state, using an electric bicycle while in the performance of the officer’s duties.
(b) (1) No person under sixteen years of age shall operate a class 3 electric bicycle; however, a person under sixteen years of age may ride as a passenger on a class 3 electric bicycle that is designed to accommodate passengers.
(2) No person shall operate or be a passenger on a class 3 electric bicycle unless the person is wearing a protective helmet that meets the standards established by the Consumer Product Safety Commission or the American Society for Testing and Materials.
(c) (1) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, whoever operates an electric bicycle in a manner that is prohibited under subsection (a) of this section and whoever violates subsection (b) of this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor. If, within one year of the offense, the offender previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to one predicate motor vehicle or traffic offense, whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree. If, within one year of the offense, the offender previously has been convicted of two or more predicate motor vehicle or traffic offenses, whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree.
(2) The offenses established under subsection (c)(1) of this section are strict liability offenses and strict liability is a culpable mental state for purposes of Ohio R.C. 2901.20. The designation of these offenses as strict liability offenses shall not be construed to imply that any other offense, for which there is no specified degree of culpability, is not a strict liability offense. (ORC 4511.522)
GOT ALL THAT?!
We understand laws can be confusing. I will try and break this down into an easy guide to keep everyone informed and safe!
- Class 1 and Class 2 bikes are permitted on a shared path (sidewalk) except in the business district, just like normal bicycles but they can’t be under electric power.
- Class 3 bikes are not permitted on shared pathways in the City of Ashland.
- All electric bikes are prohibited on paths intended for mountain biking, hiking, or horseback riding.
- Anyone 15 years or younger is prohibited from operating a Class 3 E-bike.
- Everyone operating a class 3 E-bike must wear a helmet.
Our intention is to bring awareness to the community and keep everyone safe! We have seen an increase in bicycle related crashes since the E-bikes have become so popular.
If you have any questions regarding any of this, please reach out to our biking expert,
Officer Brian Evans.
[email protected]
Stay safe and try to stay dry!
Thank you for reading
-Chief Dorsey
