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Chagrin Falls safety committee reviews proposed e-bike, e-scooter and micromobility rules
Summary
The Chagrin Falls Safety Committee reviewed proposed ordinance changes to explicitly add electric bicycles to local code, require helmets for riders under 18, ban motorized operation on business-district sidewalks, and consider a rewritten sidewalk-speed standard after members raised enforcement concerns.
The Chagrin Falls Safety Committee on May 11 heard a structured presentation from Chief Dacek proposing amendments to Village ordinances to explicitly include electric bicycles and to clarify rules for e-bikes, e-scooters, mopeds and low-speed micromobility devices.
Chief Dacek outlined device categories (Class 1–3 e-bikes, mopeds, low-speed micromobility devices and electric personal assistive mobility devices) and recommended that all bicycle regulations apply to e-bikes unless otherwise noted. The proposed package would require helmets with properly fastened chin straps for riders under 18, prohibit use of a motor or throttle while riding an e-bike on a sidewalk, ban operation of these devices on business-district sidewalks, and require riders to walk their devices when sidewalks are congested.
A proposed provision limiting device speed on sidewalks “to no greater than that of a pedestrian when pedestrians are present” prompted concern from committee members that the standard would be difficult to enforce. Committee Chair Brian Drum suggested the language be reframed to focus on whether the device’s operation created a "dangerous situation," a formulation that met broad agreement and was sent to the Law Director for redrafting. Law Director Ms. Matheney was asked to consider that revision.
Members also asked that incident data for e-bikes and similar devices be compiled back to 2022 and supplied to the committee before any vote. The committee discussed preparing educational materials, such as a one-page handout for distribution through local schools, to accompany regulatory changes.
Committee members directed staff to submit suggested edits and questions to Chief Dacek and Mr. Jamieson for further review. All proposals were left on readings pending further review; no ordinance was adopted at the meeting.
The committee did not set dates for additional hearings; next steps noted were staff follow-up on requested data and a law-office review of the sidewalk-speed language.
