A state bill introduced Wednesday, Oct. 7 would set uniform e-bike safety rules across Ohio, creating potential conflicts with Terrace Park's own e-bike ordinance passed in May.

State Sen. Bill DeMora, a Columbus Democrat, filed Senate Bill 477 to require helmets for all e-bike and e-scooter riders and ban anyone under 14 from operating the devices. The bill would also set speed limits of 10 mph on shared-use paths and 5 mph on sidewalks, WLWT reported.

State Rep. Eric Synenberg, a Beachwood Democrat, is introducing companion legislation in the House, according to Cleveland.com. Neither bill is expected to receive a hearing until lawmakers return in late November.

"We're not trying to ban e-bikes, but e-bikes are becoming a problem because people are getting hurt on them more and more often," DeMora told WLWT.

The bill would impose stricter rules on Class 3 e-bikes, which can reach 28 mph. Owners would have to register with the state, display a sticker and pay a $25 fee. Operators would need a driver's license or learner's permit. Failing to register would be a misdemeanor.

Terrace Park already acted

Terrace Park Village Council passed Ordinance No. 5-1 unanimously on May 12 after months of work by the village's Safety Committee. Council members Gaskey, Ingebritson, Lindell, Sharp, Wirthlin and Lehman all voted yes.

The village ordinance already requires helmets for riders of all three e-bike classes and mandates registration with the village before riding on any public street, path or sidewalk. It bans motor-assisted e-bike use on sidewalks entirely. Parents must co-sign registration forms for minors and are liable for damages caused by a child's violations.

Chief Jerry Hayhow, the village administrator and police chief, had flagged the issue as early as Jan. 13. He reported that officers were fielding complaints about e-bikes running stop signs and entering traffic unsafely.

Where the two frameworks overlap and diverge

Both the state bill and Terrace Park's ordinance require helmets for all riders. Both impose tighter rules on Class 3 e-bikes.

They differ on age limits. SB 477 would bar anyone under 14 from operating any e-bike. Terrace Park's ordinance sets no minimum age for Class 1 or Class 2 e-bikes but bars riders under 16 from Class 3 models.

The state bill would create its own Class 3 registration system with a $25 fee. Whether that would replace, stack on top of, or coexist with Terrace Park's local registration program is unclear. The full text of SB 477 has not been published, and no Terrace Park official has commented publicly on the bill.

Ohio law authorizes local e-bike regulation under ORC Section 4511.522. A separate provision, Section 4511.07, bars local rules that are "fundamentally inconsistent" with state law.

At the May 12 council meeting, Mayor Tom Tepe addressed the village's legal footing. "The Village cannot permit what is prohibited under state law," Tepe said, adding that the village would "impose additional requirements for e-bikes."

Rising injuries statewide

The legislation comes as children's hospitals report a surge in e-bike injuries. Akron Children's Hospital said it had already surpassed its full-year 2025 injury count by mid-July and was recording about 35 to 40 e-bike injuries per month.

SB 477 awaits its first hearing, expected in late November.