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way or limited-access highway.
Ohio has a great network of bicy- cle-only and shared-use paths and the classi cation of your e-bike deter- mines which paths you can ride. Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes are permitted on bicycle-only and shared-use paths. Because Class 3 e-bikes are faster, the new law prohibits operating them on any bicycle-only or shared-use paths unless those paths are within or adja- cent to a highway. e law does allow local authorities to permit the use of Class 3 e-bikes on bicycle-only and shared-use paths that are not adjacent
to highways.
E-bikes of any classi cation are not
permitted on trails designated for mountain biking, hiking, equestrian use or other similar uses, or any other single track or natural surface trail that has historically been reserved for nonmotorized use.
Finally, you cannot operate an e- bike on any sidewalk in Ohio unless
the motor is disengaged.
In a February 2017 Brie ng Paper,
the U.S. Forest Service stated that e- bikes are considered motorized ve- hicles under federal law and that they may be ridden only where motor ve- hicles are allowed, including on Na- tional Forest System roads open to all vehicles; National Forest System trails open to all vehicles; National For- est System trails open to vehicles 50 inches or less; National Forest System trails open to motorcycles only; and National Forest System trails open to e-bikes as a special designation.
CHOOSING YOUR E-BIKE
Now that Ohio’s e-bike owners have clarity on e-bike regulations, you need to be aware that your choice of riding location may be a ected by the class of e-bike you ride. Your favorite bike path may be o limits.
For those looking to purchase an e-bike, consider where and how you want to ride before making your pur-
chase. If you want to extend your miles on roads and highways or are looking to commute to work, a Class 3 e-bike may be the best choice, but be aware that you may not be able to ride that new e-bike on your local bicycle path.
If you want the freedom to ride on both bicycle paths and roadways, then a Class 1 or Class 2 e-bike may be ex- actly what you’re looking for.
PATRICIA SEIFERT IS A PARTNER WITH TUCKER ELLIS, LLP IN CLEVELAND. SHE SERVES AS CHAIR OF THE FIRM’S CON- STRUCTION GROUP AND CHAIR OF THE TUCKER ELLIS WOMEN’S INITIATIVE. HER PRACTICE FOCUSES ON COMMER- CIAL LITIGATION AND PERSONAL INJURY LITIGATION INVOLVING CONSTRUCTION, CONSTRUCTION DEFECTS, PRODUCT LI- ABILITY, PERSONAL INJURY, WORKPLACE INJURIES AND SAFETY, AND MOTOR VE- HICLE ACCIDENTS.
is “Law You Can Use” consumer legal information column was provid- ed by the Ohio State Bar Association (OSBA).
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