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Stakeholders expressed concerns about youth under the age of 16 operating e-motos and other devices at high speed. A review of recently adopted local ordinances was provided, highlighting areas of local regulation. These included age restrictions, helmet requirements, parental responsibility, impoundment, sidewalk/park/trail use, and registration and licensing.
Due to engine horse power and speed, e-Motos are not e-bikes as defined in Ohio law and thus are motorcycles and should never travel on sidewalks, paths, and trails. Often, riders appear to be under age, unfamiliar with the vehicle, and not licensed.
Rep. White shared some aspects of her recently-introduced bill (HB 948) to increase safety and awareness for e-bike riders. Rep. White suggested that learning from local governments about what should be regulated at the state level versus local regulation would be valuable to the legislative process. There was also discussion of different enforcement approaches.
The participants agreed that a regional approach is needed and supported creation of a task force to develop model code, shared educational messages, and a response to Rep. White’s request for feedback on HB 948. Oakwood’s City Manager Katie Smiddy has agreed to chair the meetings and GDMMA has agree to host. Matt Lindsay will continue to participate on the task force which will leverage this conversation to develop a strategy that produces recommendations by mid-August.
For more information, please contact Matt Lindsay, Director of Regional Environment and Economic Development at mlindsay@mvrpc.org or 937.531.6548.
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