10/08/2026
New e-bike ordinance adopted by Board of Commissioners
(OCT. 7, 2026) -- Cherokee County has new regulations for electronic bicycles to promote safety and provide clear standards for e-bike users on county roads, sidewalks, multi-use paths, and trails.
The Board of Commissioners held a public hearing on the new ordinance at its Oct. 6 meeting. Five people spoke. All commended the ordinance creation, and some indicated they were thankful that Class II bikes would be allowed on the county’s mountain biking trails. The president of SORBA Woodstock informed the Board that Class II bikes were meant for greenways and not so much for steep, tree-rooted terrain.
The goal of the now-in-effect ordinance is to promote safety for pedestrians, cyclists, and trail users, align county regulations with Georgia’s e-bike classifications and operating rules, provide clear, enforceable standards for device types and permitted locations, and preserve the natural character and durability of county trails.
The ordinance delineates the difference between Class I, II, and III e-bikes, and low-speed electric scooters, as well as several other micromobility devices. The ordinance does not legislate mobility devices related to disabilities and adheres to the Americans with Disabilities Act. It also does not legislate golf carts and ATVs, which are governed by separate ordinances.
A Class I e-bike is an electric assisted bike that provides assistance to a rider only when peddling until the device reaches a speed of 20 mph. A Class II e-bike is an electric assisted bike without peddling but does not exceed 20 mph. A Class III e-bike is equipped with a motor that provides assistance to the rider when pedaling until the device reaches a speed of 28 mph. All three classes have a motor output of not more than 750 watts. Georgia law requires all three classes to have a permanently affixed label. The ordinance also addresses electric scooters and low-speed scooters.
Class I, II, and III bikes are allowed on county roads, and users must follow rules of the road, use proper safety equipment, adhere to traffic laws, and have lights for low-visibility times of day. State law requires that e-motos have a vehicle tag and can only be operated by a 16-year-old or older licensed driver. Class I, II, and III e-bikes, as well as low-powered scooters, are allowed on paved shared-use paths. All e-bikes except for Class III are permitted on multi-used paved paths. Children 12 and younger are permitted to ride human-powered bicycles, Class I and Class II e-bikes, a personal electric vehicle and skateboards and non-electric scooters on sidewalks. All e-bikes are prohibited on walking/hiking trails.
Georgia law governs age restrictions for Class III e-bikes – riders must be at least 15 years old to operate a Class III e-bike, and all riders must wear helmets regardless of age.
E-motos have more than a 750-watt output and are classified as a vehicle under Georgia’s Uniform Road Rules. Operators must be 16 years old or older with a driver’s license and wear a helmet.
All e-bike users must operate the device safely, avoid careless or reckless operation, yield to pedestrians and provide audible warnings when passing, travel at no more than 20 mph, use front and rear lighting during low-visibility hours, and children under 16 must wear a helmet. The ordinance also establishes parental responsibility for those under 18 years old.
Enforcement will be handled by the Cherokee Sheriff’s Office and Cherokee Marshal’s Office. A graduated fine structure includes $250 for the first offense, $500 for the second offense and $1,000 for a third/subsequent offense. A penalty could include up to 60 days in jail, which is in accordance with Magistrate Court penalty structure. The intent would be for the jail time provision to be used in the most egregious situations, leaving the decision to a Magistrate Judge.
