Dublin council approves micromobility ordinance, reinstates helmet rule for riders under 16

Dublin City Council on March 9 adopted Ordinance 15‑26, revising chapters 72 and 75 of the codified ordinances to clarify micromobility-device rules and reinstate a helmet requirement for riders under 16 years old.

Jeanne Willis, the staff presenter, said the draft code is largely unchanged from the February 23 introduction but reflects two changes requested by council and public inquiry: (1) clarifying that riders should keep to the right side of the roadway where applicable and (2) reinstating a helmet requirement for riders under age 16. The draft deletes Section 75.06 to improve consistency with state law, consolidates exceptions in a single section, and clarifies cross‑references in the code. Staff recommended adoption at second reading.

One public commenter, Patricia Kovacs — a Columbus resident who leads bicycle tours and said she rides frequently in Dublin — told the council she supported the changes and thanked staff for incorporating her suggested clarifications. She also offered minor drafting suggestions and said she would forward them to staff rather than read them into the record.

Council discussion centered on enforceability and community outreach. Council members asked whether lights are required, how the city plans to educate residents and schoolchildren, and how enforcement will be handled. Staff and police representatives said lights are required by the revised code (they are integrated or reflective on many devices) and that the city will use an education‑first approach, enlisting school resource officers, a micro‑mobility one‑pager, website tools and videos, and a parent‑responsibility provision in the code to encourage compliance.

Staff said communications materials will be rolled out after the statutory 30‑day period and that police and school outreach would be coordinated with the spring calendar. Council then adopted the ordinance by roll call.

The ordinance takes effect following the usual post‑adoption timeframe; staff will begin an outreach campaign and publish clarifying materials and a device‑specific education page on the city website.