CLEVELAND, Ohio — Common sense and courtesy can go a long way toward addressing many of the complaints about electric bikes, say bicycling advocates, park officials and local police.
They stress the importance of etiquette and the rules of the road – or sidewalk, or trail – as communities across Northeast Ohio grapple with how to deal with e-bikes’ surge in popularity.
While Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes – those with motors capable of boosting speeds up to 20 mph before turning off and leaving the work to the pedaling – are permitted on the Tow Path Trail, Cuyahoga Valley National Park spokesperson Jennie Vasarhelyi noted the park’s 15 mph speed limit for all bikes.
And she emphasized basic trail etiquette — such as announcing when passing and slowing down near pedestrians.
“We spend a lot of time communicating to the public around bicycling safety, and we always recommend people wear bike helmets,” Vasarhelyi said.
Speed limit or not, “You shouldn’t be out on the Tow Path riding your e-bike at 19 or 20 mph,” said Jacob VanSickle, executive director of Bike Cleveland. ”It’s a courtesy thing. That’s what we tell people.“
This extends to city sidewalks as well. Under Ohio law, e-bikes are permitted on sidewalks – but only if the motor is not in use.
Yet communities across Northeast Ohio have been fielding complaints about e-bikes (mostly driven by kids) darting down the sidewalks at high speeds.
The result both on and off the road: injuries that resemble motorcycle wrecks more than bicycle spills, said Dr. Michael Kelly, chair of MetroHealth’s Department of Neurosurgery. He said he’s treated serious injuries for both e-bike drivers and pedestrians on sidewalks struck by e-bikes.
“They’re treated like a bike when they are more potent than a bike,” Kelly said. “It’s easier for people to go more quickly without much effort, especially among kids.”
Kelly advocates helmet use, which in some cities is required for riders under the age of 18, though there is no statewide helmet law for bicycles and Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes.
Helmets are required under state law for the faster Class 3 e-bikes with motors capable of pushing speeds to 28 mph. These bikes are permitted for use by only those age 16 and above.
“I think it’s like with any other device. With kids comes inexperience,” said Tim Comerford, sales and social media specialist for Spin Bike Shop. “Have someone show you the ropes and best practices. … Make yourself predictable.”
A growing transportation trend
Poor behavior is the downside of what otherwise has been a positive development in increasing bicycle use for everyone from commuters to older adults who want keep biking as they age.
“They overcome the perceived concern of, ‘Oh I don’t want to ride to work all sweaty,’” VanSickle said. “You can replace some car trips with bike trips.”
The popularity driving these discussions is undeniable.
“The United States has been one of the slowest to adopt electric bikes,” said Ed Benjamin, chairman of the Light Electric Vehicles Association. “But they are becoming increasingly popular.” National sales will rise from 2.1 million this year to between 4 million and 6.5 million by 2030, his research projects.
An e-bike looks much like a traditional bicycle but includes a small motor that either assists riders while pedaling or, in some cases, propels the bike without pedaling – depending on the class.
Comerford, himself, uses an e-bike to commute year-round from his West Park Cleveland neighborhood to the Spin Bike Shop, a four-mile trip that allows his household to get by with just one car.
Comerford said he sees customers – mostly adults – buying them both for transportation and recreation, from daily commutes to places like campgrounds, where they may be used instead of a golf cart or car.
Just as with traditional bikes, pricing varies widely.
Online or at discount stores, e-bikes can be had for just a few hundred dollars. Comerford compares the starting point of $1,800 at the Spin Bike Shop to a traditional bike of similar quality that might sell for $700 or $800.
Ebikes.org, a consumer-oriented website, says most e-bikes can cover anywhere between 20 and 50 miles on a single charge, but a top-quality battery will enable rides of up to 100 miles.
Communities catch up
Local officials from Avon Lake to Solon say residents are pressing them to respond to the influx of e-bikes — especially kids riding on sidewalks and through parking lots without following traffic laws.
Many communities are working to align their ordinances with Ohio’s 2019 e-bike law, which clarified bike classes, rules of the road, and where e-bikes may be ridden.
“We don’t like to see municipalities have different rules from city to city,” VanSickle said. “We often encourage municipalities to adopt the state code around e-bikes.”
Ohio law covers the rules on and off-road in public spaces:
Sidewalks: E-bikes are permitted on sidewalks only if the motor is not engaged. Although some cities have age restrictions, no jurisdiction can require bikes to be ridden on sidewalks.
Trails: Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes are allowed on multi-purpose trails designed for bicycle use, such as those in the Cleveland Metroparks and Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Class 3 bikes are not allowed unless a local jurisdiction grants permission.
Traffic laws: E-bike operators must follow the same traffic and equipment laws that apply to bicycles.
Following the law
State laws alone, however, don’t help if riders ignore them or don’t know they exist.
Brook Park Police Chief Edward Powers said one local crash occurred when an e-biker entered a lighted intersection and struck a car that had the right of way. “Most people don’t realize they have to follow traffic laws,” he said.
Some communities have moved quickly.
Solon schools in August banned throttle-equipped e-bikes from campus after a student was struck by a car in the high school parking lot, prompting city council to consider aligning local law with the state code and possibly adding a helmet requirement.
Strongsville and Brook Park adopted helmet requirements for younger riders, while Bay Village officials are holding safety discussions following resident complaints and crashes. Avon Lake updated its rules to match state law and launched a police-led education campaign.
“It’s a regional issue, and really a national issue. Communities are struggling with how to safely allow e-bikes into their communities,” Avon Lake Councilman David Kos said. “At no point were we looking to ban e-bikes. We simply wanted them to be used as the state of Ohio allows.”
Hospital data reflect rising injuries
MetroHealth’s data reflect the trend. E-bike-related emergency room visits rose from 17 in 2023 to 42 in 2024. In the first eight months of 2025 alone, the hospital has treated 36 victims of e-bike crashes, including both riders and pedestrians struck on sidewalks.
“With increased use, you’re going to see increased accidents,” Kelly said.
He cited distracted riding, high speeds, and lack of helmets as common factors. He advises attentive riding and helmet use, particularly for younger riders. “I have small children, and they don’t have e-bikes because I don’t think they’re quite ready for them.”
For Kelly, the goal is not to ban e-bikes, but to use them wisely. “I don’t want to take away from e-bikes. They can be very beneficial, and they can be a way for people to travel distances faster,” he said. “But I think putting some guardrails around them would be a good idea.”