06/11/2026
Dear Willoughby Residents,
eBikes and electric scooters are now a common sight in Willoughby. These devices offer convenient, efficient, and fun transportation for people of all ages. However, they also raise important safety concerns. More than 20,000 eBike riders are injured each year in the United States, with over 30 percent of those incidents involving motor vehicles. Electric scooters present an even higher risk, with more than 118,000 emergency room visits reported nationwide in 2024.
An eBike is a traditional bicycle equipped with an electric motor and battery that provides power-assisted pedaling or throttle propulsion. Ohio classifies eBikes into three categories. Class 1 eBikes offer pedal-assist only and cut off at 20 mph with no throttle. Class 2 models can use pedal-assist or a throttle but still cut off at 20 mph. Class 3 eBikes are the fastest, cutting off at 28 mph, and may use both pedal-assist and throttle. Because of their higher speeds, Class 3 eBikes face stricter regulations.
In Willoughby, eBikes are treated and operated like a regular bicycle, which means they must be ridden on the street. Per city codes, bicycles are not permitted on the sidewalks. When riding in the street, all riders must obey traffic laws, operate on the right side of the roadway, stop at signs and red lights, and follow signals. From sunset to sunrise, every eBike requires a bright white front light and a red rear light with reflector. Class 1 and Class 2 eBikes are permitted on bike paths and shared-use paths, while Class 3 models are restricted to roadways only. No eBikes of any class are allowed on hiking trails or natural surface paths. Low-speed electric scooters (up to 20 mph) are permitted on public roads, but children under 16 must be supervised by a parent or guardian.
Safety requirements are essential. Only riders age 16 and older may operate Class 3 eBikes, and all riders and passengers on all three models must wear helmets that meet national safety standards. Parents should select equipment appropriate for their child’s age and skill level, practice traffic rules together as a family, and always check lights, reflectors, and brakes before each ride. Helmets are strongly recommended for every trip.
Although these devices may look like toys, a child traveling at 20 mph can suffer serious injuries, especially in a collision with a motor vehicle. The Willoughby Police Department encourages families to enjoy these devices responsibly while making safety the top priority. If you purchase one of these devices for your child, talk with them about safe riding habits, insist they wear helmets, educate them on our traffic laws, and remind them to stay alert and aware of their surroundings.
The complaints we’ve received or observed are because the rider is disobeying the city’s traffic laws, riding on the sidewalks, or operating recklessly in our city parks. The reality is that in a majority of these instances, IF a crash were to happen between an eBike and a motor vehicle, it would be the eBike rider’s fault and not the operator of the motor vehicle. That’s something worth thinking about!! Working together, we can prevent tragedies and keep our community safe.
