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Committee advances e-bike and micromobility rules, raises helmet, age and education questions
Summary
The committee approved House Bill 3626 as amended to clarify classifications and age limits for electric assist bicycles and directed ODOT to run a safety education program funded in part by a proposed $250,000 general fund allocation; members debated enforcement, sidewalk access and whether ODOT should run outreach.
The joint committee on transportation moved House Bill 3626 as amended to the floor with a due-pass recommendation and a referral to Ways and Means after adopting a dash-4 amendment that changes age thresholds and directs a safety education program.
The dash-4 amendment modifies classifications and minimum ages: it raises the minimum age for operating class 1 and class 2 electric-assist bicycles from 12 to 14 for some categories, retains age 16 for class 3, and changes an authorization phrase from "without a driver license or driver permit" to "without any form of driving privileges." The amendment also removed a religious exemption to protective headgear and directs ODOT to create a safety education program; the bill as amended includes a $250,000 general-fund allocation for that outreach (the fiscal item sends the bill to Ways and Means).
Under state statute definitions discussed by the committee, class 1 and class 2 e-bikes are limited to 20 miles per hour with either pedal-assist (class 1) or throttle capability (class 2); class 3 e-bikes are pedal-assist up to 29 miles per hour. Committee members repeatedly raised enforcement and safety concerns tied to those speed tiers. Representative Evans urged that the outreach material stress that fast e-bikes should not operate on sidewalks, noting concern for pedestrians. Committee counsel and ODOT staff confirmed current state law already precludes e-bike use on sidewalks.
Several members objected to assigning ODOT the outreach work on principle. One legislator said the department is already tasked with many responsibilities and should not be burdened with additional programs; others proposed user fees or registration to help fund education and enforcement.
Formal actions: The committee adopted the dash-4 amendment dated 05/20/2025 and then moved HB 3626 as amended to the floor with a due-pass recommendation and referral to Ways and Means. Roll calls recorded ayes from a majority of committee members and a few dissenting votes (transcript roll calls recorded in committee record). The transcript records committee discussion that the education allocation requires Ways and Means review.
Discussion vs. decision: Adoption of the amendment and committee referral are formal actions. Multiple members raised policy concerns (enforcement, local control over sidewalk rules, and whether ODOT should administer education), which remain open policy questions for Ways and Means and subsequent committee consideration.
Next steps: The bill goes to Ways and Means for the $250,000 general-fund allocation and then to the floor. Committee members asked for future consideration of alternative funding (registration fees) and clearer enforcement guidance for municipalities.
