Powell residents push for e-bike legislation in city-wide survey

POWELL — E-bikes may soon be on Powell city council’s agenda now that the operations committee has taken the first steps toward developing e-bike legislation.

Committee members heard a presentation from Powell Police Chief Ron Sallows reviewing the results of a community survey regarding e-bikes, and looking at how other nearby cities have tackled e-bike legislation.

The committee did not take action at their Tuesday night meeting, but members did agree they want to see two specific approaches in future legislation:

1. They want legislation to cover all micro-mobility devices, not just e-bikes. That includes e-scooters, e-skateboards, mopeds and other similar vehicles.
2. They want riders aged 18 and below to be required to wear a helmet.

“Our goal is to develop rules that are understandable to residents, enforceable by our officers and that appropriately protect pedestrians without removing reasonable mobility options in Powell,” Sallows said.

Legislation would cover where electric devices would be permitted, speed limits, lighting, distracted driving restrictions, enforcement measures and more.

The committee will meet at least once more before the end of the year to discuss the topic further.

Survey results show desire for city action

In August, a survey made available to Powell residents solicited perceptions regarding e-bikes, e-scooters, and other micro-mobility devices, and ideas for how the city should address concerns.

The survey received 306 total responses, 233 of which were from respondents with verified city addresses, according to the survey summary of results.

Notable results from the survey found:

• 97.4% of respondents characterized micro-mobility devices as at least a moderate safety concern, with 78.5% characterizing them as a significant concern.
• 91.8% of respondents identified unsafe operation on city streets and paths as a primary issue. 74.2% said pedestrian safety and 71.2% said operators not wearing helmets. Others were concerned with riders operating in city parks, inappropriate parking and other concerns.
• 66.5% of respondents provided additional written comment that “consistently focused on unsafe rider behavior rather than the mere existence of the devices,” according to the summary.

Respondents often offered comments about juvenile riders, excessive speed, failure to obey stop signs and traffic laws and parental responsibility in open-ended comments.

“These results demonstrated a clear desire for the city to address these issues,” Sallows said.

What do residents want city officials to do?

When asked about their preferred city response to e-bikes, 50% of respondents said further restrictions on devices in certain spaces.

An additional 24.1% responded “other,” suggesting specific actions including age restrictions, licensing/certification, helmet rules, speed limits, location restrictions or enforcement of existing laws.

“The practical takeaway is not that residents asked for a complete ban. The written comments point towards targeted, understandable rules, combined with education and visible enforcement,” Sallows said.

“Residents appear that they want the city to distinguish normal courteous riding from the conduct that creates a genuine risk.”

In June, the Powell Police Department launched an e-bike education campaign emphasizing rider safety, locations where cyclists can ride their e-bikes and what actually constitutes a legal e-bike.

Other responses included the creation of pamphlet handouts and online materials overviewing basic safety tips. Officers also gave out free ice cream coupons to kids observed safely riding their e-bikes.

The campaign was in response to community concerns, and the 47 reported incidents or complaints involving e-bikes and other special motorized vehicles from January 2025 to May 2026.

Sallows discussed other nearby city approaches Powell could model

Sallows gave several examples of legislation enacted by nearby city governments to regulate e-bikes and other devices within the city.

New Albany enacted 15 code amendments with updated definitions of micro-mobility devices, general traffic rules, sidewalk and shared-use path provisions, equipment requirements, helmet rules and enforceable tools. 


“The structure matters because the rules must work together,” Sallows said. “A definition determines how the operating rules apply, and operating restrictions need to have corresponding penalty and practical enforcement mechanisms in place.”

Columbus has other restrictions, including a 25 mile-per-hour speed cap, prohibition of sidewalk riding, parking restrictions, a fine for not wearing a helmet, and prohibition of street riding by users aged 16 or younger, instead limiting them to shared-use paths.

Dublin’s legislation only covers “one or two small-wheel devices below 120 pounds with a maximum speed of 20 MPH. It expressively excludes mini motorcycles, ATVs, dirt bikes, and similar devices from sidewalks, shared-use paths and parks” Sallows said.

Dublin also allows the specified devices only on streets with a posted speed limit of 25 MPH or less, sidewalks and shared-use paths.

Riders must keep right, give an audible signal for passing, practice basic traffic compliance, park responsibly and wear a helmet if they are age 16 or younger.

Delaware’s legislation requires class one and class two e-bike riders to ride with the motor disengaged on sidewalks. There is also a “downtown dismount” provision, not allowing sidewalk riding in the downtown area.

In Upper Arlington, the city requires riders to take a safety class as part of their registration process before a person can ride an e-bike in the city.

Upper Arlington and Dublin also have provisions for parental responsibility.

If a child is found operating an e-bike that is not a class one, two or three — the only legally permitted types in Ohio — then the parent receives a penalty in the form of six points on their driver’s license.

Sallows said these are all policy provisions the committee should consider for Powell’s future legislation before sending a draft to city council for review and approval.