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Law director says state law treats many electric scooters like bicycles; city could adopt stricter rules
Summary
During Q&A, the Law Director told council the Ohio Revised Code generally treats electric scooters like bicycles and suggested the city could adopt stricter local ordinances (with enforcement challenges); council members raised public‑safety concerns about kids riding unsafely.
Council asked whether the city may prohibit certain behaviors on electric scooters, such as sitting on devices or allowing young riders to use them in fast-traffic areas. The Law Director replied that state law has largely classified many electric scooters similarly to bicycles and that local government can enact stricter rules, but enforcement can be difficult in practice.
“...the legislation basically made electric scooters just like bicycles so kids can ride them,” the Law Director said, and added that one option is to pass a local ordinance similar to existing golf-cart rules (for example, mandatory helmets for riders under a given age) but enforcement would be the practical constraint. Council members discussed safety concerns on specific streets where scooters and bikes travel at higher speeds.
No ordinance or formal referral was made at the meeting; the exchange was framed as guidance from the Law Director about what the city may consider if it chooses to pursue local regulation.
