The Mariemont Police Department wants village families to know the rules before summer rides turn into safety hazards.
In a flyer posted to the Village of Mariemont website on Monday, the department said residents have frequently called to report young e-bike riders speeding down trails and through parks without regard for pedestrians. E-bike use has surged on village streets, trails and parks, particularly among teenagers, the department said.
The guidance spells out what's allowed and where:
E-bikes on sidewalks and in parks: Motors must be turned off. Riders can pedal through, but engaging the electric motor is not permitted. Gas-powered vehicles and dirt bikes are banned from park paths entirely.
E-bikes on streets: Riders must follow standard motor vehicle laws, including full stops at stop signs and proper hand signals.
Speed and age limits: An e-bike motor cannot exceed 20 mph. Under Ohio law, riders under 16 may not operate a Class 3 e-bike, which can reach 28 mph. All Class 3 riders and passengers must wear a helmet meeting Consumer Product Safety Commission or ASTM standards, per Ohio Revised Code Section 4511.522.
Electric scooters: Allowed on sidewalks, road shoulders, bike lanes, and paved trails, but not on freeways or roads that restrict bicycles. Maximum speed is 15 mph. Children under 8 may not operate an electric scooter on public property with the motor engaged.
Electric motorcycles: Not allowed on sidewalks, roads, bike lanes, paved trails, or village parks. Street-legal electric motorcycles must be registered and insured, and riders need a Class D license with a motorcycle endorsement. Riders under 21 must wear a helmet.
The department also urged parents to choose the right bike model for their child's age and skill level, and reminded riders to mount e-bikes with the motor off and brakes engaged, especially before heading downhill.
A regional pattern
Mariemont is not alone.
At the Terrace Park Village Council meeting on Tuesday, January 13, Mayor Tom Tepe acknowledged the challenge: "Police cannot function as parents, and regulating parenting is challenging. Ebikes and scooters are increasingly fast," he said.
Terrace Park followed up by passing Ordinance No. 5-1 on Tuesday, May 12, establishing formal e-bike regulations including a ban on motor-engaged riding on sidewalks and a prohibition on Class 3 e-bikes for riders under 16.
What residents should know
The Mariemont flyer is guidance, not a new ordinance. No enforcement campaign or follow-up meeting date has been announced. The full flyer is available on the Village of Mariemont website at mariemont.org.
Upcoming:
- Saturday, August 1 — Anderson Township Park District's expanded restrictions on electric scooters, electric skateboards, and electric dirt bikes take effect on park trails.
