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Gahanna leaders, police push education and review rules as e‑bikes and scooters proliferate
Summary
Mayor and police briefed council on rising e‑bike, e‑scooter and e‑motorcycle use, enforcement limits, helmet education and the need to review traffic code; city will emphasize outreach, produce safety videos, and assess whether code updates or registration are necessary.
The mayor and Gahanna Division of Police told council on June 1 that the rapid increase in e‑bikes, e‑scooters and e‑motorcycle‑style devices is prompting an education‑first response and a review of existing traffic code.
Mayor Jadwin said the devices offer mobility benefits but have generated resident safety concerns about speed and where the devices may be operated. She invited Police Chief Spence to outline what officers are seeing and what the department can do.
Chief Spence described three classifications of e‑bicycles and noted a more troubling trend: electric dirt‑bike style vehicles that can reach high speeds and are not suitable for roadways, sidewalks or multi‑use trails. “Those are essentially a limited‑use off‑road vehicle,” he said, adding that such devices are prohibited from trails and public roadways and are effectively limited to private property.
On enforcement, the chief said classification is often difficult to determine by observation and that the department is prioritizing education and outreach over immediate citations, especially when users are young. He said the department will produce informational videos, an easy‑to‑read chart showing permitted locations and is partnering with local retailers and organizations on helmet campaigns.
City staff and the city attorney said the traffic code is reviewed annually (the next update is scheduled for July) and that officials will look for any regulatory gaps as devices and technology evolve. Council members asked about registration programs like those discussed by other jurisdictions; staff said registration can create administrative burdens and may not fully solve enforcement challenges, though the city will monitor state activity and peer cities’ approaches.
The city emphasized a continuing educational campaign: helmet promotion with partner Nationwide Children’s Hospital, outreach through school and summer programs, a local media series via Uniquely Gahanna and coordination with neighboring jurisdictions and retailers.
