The Village of St. Paris is reminding residents and visitors about Ohio laws and local regulations governing electric bicycles, electric scooters and other motorized devices.
The village says understanding the rules that apply to each type of device is important for protecting pedestrians and promoting safe use of streets, sidewalks, parks and shared-use paths.
Under Ohio law, electric bicycles are divided into three classes. To qualify as an e-bike, a bicycle must have fully operable pedals, an electric motor rated at less than 750 watts and remain within the maximum assisted speed established for its class.
Class 1 e-bikes provide motor assistance only while the rider is pedaling and stop assisting at 20 miles per hour.
Class 2 e-bikes are throttle-assisted, meaning the motor can propel the bicycle without pedaling, and assistance stops at 20 miles per hour.
Class 3 e-bikes provide motor assistance only while the rider is pedaling and stop assisting at 28 miles per hour. Class 3 e-bikes must also be equipped with a speedometer displaying speed in miles per hour.
The Village of St. Paris is also reminding riders that e-bikes may not be operated under motor power on village sidewalks.
Where bicycle travel is otherwise permitted on a sidewalk, the e-bike’s motor must not be engaged. Riders should use the roadway or an authorized bicycle or shared-use path whenever appropriate and permitted.
The village also notes that electric scooters and other motorized devices are not automatically considered e-bikes. Devices that do not meet Ohio’s legal definition of an electric bicycle may be subject to different requirements.
Motor scooters, motorized skateboards and similar devices may also be restricted from sidewalks, public parks, pedestrian pathways, bicycle pathways and other public areas depending on state and local regulations.
The Village of St. Paris is encouraging anyone operating an electric bicycle or other motorized device to know what they are riding and understand the rules that apply.
Residents and visitors are reminded to follow posted signs and path restrictions, obey applicable traffic laws when riding on the roadway and yield to pedestrians. Riders should also travel to the right when practical and safe, avoid blocking pedestrian traffic, use lights and reflectors when riding at night, maintain a safe speed and remain alert.
The village also recommends wearing a properly fitted helmet and respecting restrictions in parks, trails and other public areas.
The Village of St. Paris emphasizes that being permitted to park or stand a bicycle or e-bike on a sidewalk does not mean the device may be operated there.
Sidewalks are primarily intended for pedestrian travel, and riders are encouraged to choose the appropriate roadway or designated path for their device and follow all posted restrictions.
The village says the announcement is intended as a general public-safety reminder and does not replace the Ohio Revised Code or applicable Village of St. Paris ordinances.
