E- Bike Safety Tips

Ride Smart. Ride Legal. Ride Safe.

Electric bicycles are becoming an increasingly popular way to travel around Oberlin for transportation, recreation, school, and access to local trails. E-bikes are bicycles under Ohio law, but their additional speed and power require riders to take extra precautions.

🚲 KNOW YOUR E-BIKE

Ohio recognizes three classes of electric bicycles:

CLASS 1

• Pedal-assist only.
• Motor assistance stops at 20 mph.
• Motor must be less than 750 watts.

CLASS 2

• May provide motor assistance without pedaling.
• Motor assistance stops at 20 mph.
• Motor must be less than 750 watts.

CLASS 3

• Pedal-assist only.
• Motor assistance stops at 28 mph.
• Motor must be less than 750 watts.
• A Class 3 e-bike must have a speedometer.

Your e-bike should have a manufacturer's label identifying its class, maximum assisted speed, and motor wattage.

⚠️ OBERLIN SIDEWALK ORDINANCE

Do not ride your e-bike on downtown Oberlin sidewalks.

The City of Oberlin identifies riding bicycles, skateboarding, and rollerblading as prohibited on downtown sidewalks. Riders should use the roadway or an authorized bicycle/shared-use facility instead.

Ohio law also generally prohibits operating a bicycle or e-bike on a sidewalk with the motor engaged. Ohio law allows local authorities to regulate bicycle and e-bike operation, so riders should always follow posted local restrictions.

Safety tip: Even where sidewalk riding is legally permitted, walking-speed areas can create conflicts with pedestrians. Slow down, yield, and give pedestrians plenty of space.

🚦 E-BIKES ARE SUBJECT TO TRAFFIC LAWS

When riding on Oberlin streets:

• Stop at red lights and stop signs.
• Obey posted speed limits and traffic-control devices.
• Ride predictably.
• Yield when required.
• Signal your turns.
• Never ride against traffic.
• Watch for vehicles turning across your path.
• Never assume a driver sees you.

Ohio law applies the traffic rules applicable to bicycles and e-bikes when they are operated on highways and bicycle paths. Violations can result in a citation, although bicycle/e-bike violations do not result in points being assessed against a driver's license.

🛣️ RIDE TO THE RIGHT — BUT RIDE SAFELY

Ohio law generally requires an e-bike rider traveling on a roadway to ride as near to the right side as practicable while exercising due care. You do not have to ride at the extreme edge of the roadway when doing so would be unreasonable or unsafe.

You may move farther into the lane to avoid:

• Parked cars
• Opening car doors
• Potholes or debris
• Construction
• Drainage grates
• Other hazards
• A lane that is too narrow for a vehicle to safely pass

E-bike riders may ride no more than two abreast in a single lane, except on designated bicycle facilities.

REMEMBER:

"Take the space you need to be safe."

🚴 TRAILS AND PATHS

Ohio law treats different types of bicycle facilities differently.

Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes are generally permitted on bicycle paths and shared-use paths unless the agency or local authority controlling the path prohibits them.

Class 3 e-bikes have additional restrictions and generally cannot be operated on a bicycle/shared-use path unless the path is within or adjacent to a highway or the controlling authority has specifically authorized Class 3 use.

E-bikes are also prohibited on natural-surface trails primarily intended for mountain biking, hiking, equestrian use, or similar nonmotorized uses unless the authority controlling the trail specifically authorizes e-bike use.

BEFORE YOU ENTER A TRAIL:

STOP — LOOK — READ THE SIGN.

Trail rules can vary depending on whether the trail is controlled by the City of Oberlin, Lorain County Metro Parks, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, or another authority.

🪖 HELMETS SAVE HEADS

Ohio law specifically requires a protective helmet for Class 3 e-bike operators and passengers. Riders under 16 may not operate a Class 3 e-bike.

For every rider, every ride: WEAR A HELMET.

A properly fitted bicycle helmet should:

• Sit level on your head.
• Cover your forehead.
• Have the straps forming a "V" around your ears.
• Have the chin strap comfortably snug.
• Be replaced after a significant crash.

YOUTH RIDERS:

Parents and guardians should strongly consider requiring helmets for all children and teens, regardless of e-bike class.

🌙 BE SEEN — ESPECIALLY AT NIGHT

Make yourself visible to motorists, pedestrians, and other cyclists.

Use:

• A bright white front light.
• A red rear light or reflector.
• Reflective clothing or equipment.
• Additional lighting when riding in low-visibility conditions.

If drivers can't see you, they can't react to you.

📱 PUT THE PHONE DOWN

Ohio traffic laws apply to bicycle and e-bike operators in applicable circumstances. More importantly, distracted riding reduces a rider's ability to see hazards, pedestrians, vehicles, and other cyclists.

Never text while riding.

Keep both hands available for braking and steering whenever possible.

⚡ SPEED IS A SAFETY ISSUE

A Class 3 e-bike can reach 28 mph with motor assistance—considerably faster than a traditional bicycle.

Remember:

20 mph may feel slow on a car, but it is fast on a bicycle.

Slow down around:

• Pedestrians
• Children
• Parks
• Driveways
• Intersections
• Blind corners
• Trail crossings
• Crowded sidewalks or shared-use paths
• Wet, icy, or damaged pavement

Your legal maximum is not necessarily a safe speed for every situation.

👀 INTERSECTIONS REQUIRE EXTRA CAUTION

Before entering an intersection:

LOOK LEFT → LOOK RIGHT → LOOK LEFT AGAIN

Watch especially carefully for:

• Right-turning vehicles
• Left-turning vehicles
• Vehicles pulling out of driveways
• Vehicles emerging from parking lots
• Drivers who may be looking only for cars

Make eye contact with drivers whenever possible, but never rely solely on eye contact.

🔧 CHECK YOUR E-BIKE BEFORE YOU RIDE

Before every ride, check:

B — Brakes
T — Tires
C — Chain/Controls
L — Lights

Make sure:

• Brakes work properly.
• Tires are properly inflated.
• Wheels are secure.
• Pedals and handlebars are tight.
• The chain and drivetrain are functioning properly.
• Battery connections are secure.
• Lights and reflectors are working.
• Nothing is loose or damaged.

If something doesn't work correctly, don't ride until it is repaired.

SLOW DOWN. LOOK AROUND. FOLLOW THE RULES.

E-bikes provide convenient transportation and recreation, but they also require responsible operation.

Know your e-bike.
Know your route.
Know the rules.
Wear your helmet.
Watch for pedestrians and vehicles.
Ride defensively.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

For questions concerning a particular street, trail, park, or local restriction, check the applicable posted signs and contact the agency responsible for that facility.

This bulletin is an educational safety resource and is not a substitute for the Ohio Revised Code, City of Oberlin ordinances, or rules governing a particular park or trail.