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Council committee recommends ban on e‑bikes on sidewalks, delays scooter rules
Summary
The committee recommended adoption of an ordinance banning electric bicycles from sidewalks and shared park paths, while deferring separate scooter rules; police described an education-first enforcement approach and outreach plans with schools and community events.
Committee members recommended adoption of Ordinance 2026-12 on third reading to prohibit electric bicycles on sidewalks and shared park paths, saying e‑bikes have been the source of recent accidents and injuries. A council member said, "Just last week we had another up to nine traffic accidents involving an e-bike where that individual was actually transported with injuries to the hospital," and urged the council to prioritize the measure.
The measure was pared back from earlier substitute language after members concluded prior edits had targeted personal assistive devices (Segways and similar machines) rather than e‑bikes. The sponsor said it made sense to "go back to what it originally was, which is just the e‑bikes" and to address scooters in a later amendment.
Chief Cindy Eschweiler described the police department's strategy for implementing the new restriction if adopted: "We are going to do a digital media campaign. . . . We are looking at some of the things that Twinsburg did that they were very successful with. Literature, they have guides that they actually handed out." She said enforcement will include officer discretion: "there will be an opportunity for discretion, where officers can, based on the circumstances, either issue a warning or enforce immediately."
Council members and staff discussed outreach to families; a committee member asked whether brief flyers could be emailed through the school district. The committee was told Superintendent Dr. Cloures had already expressed support for distributing educational materials to parents.
Separately, on the helmet and safety ordinance (Ord. 2026-13) addressing minors’ helmet use across bicycles, e‑bikes and similar devices, the committee recommended adoption; the roll-call recommendation included one no vote by Council member Aaron Barofsky.
The committee’s recommendations now move to the full council for final action. If adopted by council, the administration indicated it intends to focus first on public education before broad ticketing enforcement.
