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Fairview Park passes paired e‑bike ordinances, adds helmet requirement for under‑18 riders
Summary
Council voted to pass two ordinances updating local rules for electric bicycles and scooters and amended one to require helmets for anyone under 18 riding a bicycle or any class of electric bicycle; the changes include restricting motorized operation on sidewalks and align with pending state proposals and local education efforts.
Fairview Park councilors voted June 22 to pass two ordinances updating the city code for electric bicycles, scooters and similar devices and to add a helmet requirement for minors.
Sergeant Matt McIntyre of the Fairview Park Police Department told council that the city has seen a marked increase in e‑bike and scooter use this year, and a rise in nuisance calls and accidents as weather warmed. "We've been responding to more calls for service and accidents, involving these devices... Some of them were minor property damage or minor injury. We had one pretty serious injury, involving an e scooter, back in April or May," McIntyre said.
Law Director Deborah said pending state legislation and recent studies informed the proposed local changes. She cited a Dayton Children's Hospital dataset and an NYU Langone review showing a sharp increase in child injuries tied to e‑bike incidents. "In 2024, it was 18. 2025, it was 135. And as of May 28, it was 109 involving children that have been treated as a result of e bike accidents," she said, presenting those figures as context for a mix of education, regulation and enforcement measures.
The adopted code changes (ordinance 26‑41 and amended ordinance 26‑42) do three things in combination: they clarify local definitions of e‑bikes and micro‑mobility devices, prohibit motorized operation of e‑bikes on sidewalks (motor may be used only where state law permits and in designated bike lanes or streets), and add a helmet requirement. Council amended section 373.20(b)(2) to read that "no person under 18 years of age shall operate or be a passenger on a bicycle or any class electric bicycle unless the person is wearing a protective helmet" meeting CPSC or ASTM standards.
Council members debated enforcement approach and scope. Police emphasized education for juveniles and parental accountability; McIntyre described the department’s typical practice as contacting parents and returning devices rather than routine juvenile citations, reserving enforcement for more serious or repeated offenses. Council also discussed potential seizure or forfeiture for repeat dangerous operators; the law director said existing Ohio statutes allow remedies in serious cases and that the city can revisit seizure language later.
Both ordinances were placed on the agenda for emergency passage and passed by roll call after amendment. Council members said the change is intended to protect pedestrians on sidewalks and to improve summer safety while the city expands education and coordination with schools and local enforcement.
What happens next: Council expects the administration and law director to draft the amendment language as voted and to coordinate an education campaign; staff said they will return to council in the fall for a more comprehensive review once state guidance is available.
