07/10/2026
At our city hall sit outs, we heard a lot of concern from residents about e-bikes and safety. An overwhelming amount of concerns were centered around the safety of kids. While e-bikes present new & unique challenges, I’m happy that this council is taking steps in the right direction.
Westerville City Council passed Ordinance 2026-12 offering new guidelines on electric bicycles (eBikes) and Personal Transportation Devices (PTDs).
Some important updates include:
🚴 Riders under 18 must wear properly-fitted safety helmets when operating or riding as a passenger on an eBike or PTD
🛑 Police can cite riders for traffic law violations. Riders should obey all traffic laws, give pedestrians right-of-way and signal when passing.
✋ Speed limits by location are defined for riders to safely interact with cars and pedestrians. Limits include 8 mph on sidewalks (when permitted) and 15 mph on shared-use paths and trails.
To learn more about eBikes including what's legal for our sidewalks, streets and trails visit: Westerville.org/EBikes
Residents are encouraged to call the non-emergency line (614) 882-7444 for questions about regulations, reports of unsafe riding behavior and enforcement information. For accidents, reckless behavior or emergencies call 9-1-1.
