And What About E-Bikes on Trails?

Before creating new rules, we should first agree on the problem we’re trying to solve.

The author’s photo, altered in Google Gemini

Lately, e-bikes have been making headlines. Across Ohio and other states, a growing number of accidents involving e-bikes, pedestrians, and motor vehicles have prompted concern, particularly when youths are involved.

In response, communities are passing ordinances restricting e-bike use. While those efforts are well-intentioned, they risk creating regulations that address symptoms rather than the underlying problems.

Without a doubt, something must be done. However, it should be done thoughtfully and in a way that protects public safety without penalizing responsible e-bike cyclists.

My Concerns

This issue is important to me as president of the Ohio to Erie Trail. Every year, thousands of people travel across Ohio on the trail by bicycle, with an increasing number on e-bikes.

It would be unfortunate if an e-bike that is legal and welcome in one community suddenly becomes restricted in the next. Consistent rules matter, especially on a statewide trail that connects so many different counties, cities, and villages.

Bicycle tourism is growing on the trail. The growth in recreational tourism supports local economies, promotes healthy lifestyles, and helps more people experience the outdoors. Clear e-bike rules should guide governments, allowing responsible e-bike tourists to enjoy trails.

As a cyclist and e-bike owner, I am concerned that some proposed or adopted laws and trail rules are confusing, inconsistent, or poorly communicated.

These regulations create unnecessary barriers for responsible cyclists. E-bikes make cycling accessible and enjoyable for many people. Policies should be clear, fair, and grounded in fact while supporting safety and access.

What Should We Do About E-Bikes?

There are many ideas for regulating e-bikes on trails, including age restrictions, licensing, registration, speed limits, and stricter enforcement of existing e-bike classifications. This list is just a sampling.

Before adding new laws and rules, we should ask: What problem are we trying to solve?

Too often, the conversation begins with proposed solutions before the actual problem is clearly defined. If we’re not careful, we risk creating regulations that address the wrong issue or solve a problem that doesn’t really exist.

Is the Problem Speed?

When people complain about e-bikes, it’s often about cyclists moving too fast on the trail. That’s a legitimate concern, often true. Is the problem really e-bikes, or is it speed?

Cyclists on both traditional bikes and e-bikes traveling 12 miles per hour seldom create conflict. Cyclists on both types of bikes traveling over 20 miles per hour on the trail can create plenty of conflict.

The trail user, on foot or wheels, who feels unsafe rarely cares whether the speed comes from legs or battery. They notice speed. If speed is the issue, perhaps that’s where speed limit awareness and enforcement should begin.

Is the Problem Behavior?

Trail conflicts have little to do with the type of bicycle. They involve poor behavior. Passing without warning. Cycling too fast for the conditions. unawareness of pedestrians. Riding two abreast and failing to yield.

An inconsiderate cyclist on any bike makes the trail unpleasant for everyone. Likewise, a courteous e-bike cyclist can be one of the safest trail users. I wonder if trail safety and etiquette education might accomplish more than regulation.

Is the Problem a Lack of Understanding E-bikes?

Views of battery-assisted bikes vary widely, making the discussion challenging. Some people see e-bikes as akin to motorcycles. Others question whether cyclists using motor assistance are really cycling at all. Both views blur important distinctions.

An e-bike, a throttle-assisted e-bike, and an e-moto are distinct types of bikes operating differently. The path forward might be helping people understand the distinctions so that safety, access, and regulation conversations are free of confusion.

Is the Problem Licensing E-Bike Cyclists?

Supporters of cyclist licensing argue that cyclists should pass a motor vehicle-type rules-of-the-road test to safely operate a battery-powered bike capable of 20 to 28 miles per hour. That’s a reasonable argument.

Knowledge improves safety. There are practical questions as well. If we don’t require a license to ride a traditional bicycle capable of 20 to 28 miles per hour, why should we require one for an e-bike?

Would licensing discourage cycling as an alternative to driving? Could it create barriers for older adults who depend on cycling to remain active? Would the benefits outweigh the costs and challenges of enforcement?

Is the Problem Age?

Many states already impose age restrictions for youth on e-bikes. The reasoning is understandable. Higher speeds require greater judgment, life experience, and understanding of the consequences of actions.

Age can be an imperfect measure of responsibility. A knowledgeable teen may be safer than an impulsive adult. The better question is whether all cyclists should demonstrate a basic understanding of safety before operating e-bikes.

Youth under 12 are still learning to judge risk, make responsible decisions, and cycle safely. Risky behavior should be discouraged on any bike. At this age, developing basic cycling skills, judgment, and responsibility should come before introducing the speed and power of an e-bike.

Is the Problem a Lack of Education?

If there is one area where most people find common ground, it is education. Imagine buying a new e-bike and receiving orientation on its operation, applicable laws, and safe cycling practices before leaving the store. That step could go a long way toward creating safer and more informed cyclists.

How should I use the different assist levels? How do my abilities, age, and cycling experience guide those choices? How quickly can the bike accelerate or stop? What laws and trail rules apply? What’s my responsibility in sharing the trail?

This solution focuses on safety, responsibility, and respect for others. While many bike shops already offer basic guidance to new cyclists, there may be value in making education a standard practice, or even incorporating it into regulatory requirements.

Is the Problem a Lack of Shared Responsibility?

The conversation often focuses on e-bikes and the people who ride them. They are only part of the equation. Manufacturers have a responsibility to design and produce safe products.

Bike shops play an important role in helping customers choose the right bike and understand how to operate it safely and responsibly.

Legislators, public agencies, and trail managers also have responsibilities. They must create clear, consistent laws and trail rules and communicate them effectively.

Ultimately, this is a matter of shared responsibility. Any regulations should be developed with input from all stakeholders, clearly define the responsibilities of each group, and balance legitimate concerns with the benefits of e-bikes to individuals, communities, and trail systems.

Is the Problem Consistency of Laws?

As e-bike tourism continues to grow, another challenge is becoming apparent: inconsistent regulations. A cyclist may begin a ride in one state, cross into another, and suddenly encounter a different set of rules. The same can happen when crossing county lines or entering a new city.

E-bike classifications, trail access rules, and age requirements can vary from one jurisdiction to the next. For long-distance trail systems such as the Ohio to Erie Trail, which connects communities across multiple counties, this patchwork of regulations can be confusing and difficult to navigate.

These inconsistencies make a strong case for greater uniformity. Not necessarily more regulation, but clearer, more consistent standards that are easier to understand and follow.

Are We Asking the Wrong Question

The debate over e-bikes is often framed as a choice between regulation and freedom. I think that’s the wrong conversation. The better question is this:

How do we make trails safer and more enjoyable for everyone?

The answer may involve regulations. It may involve education. It may involve better trail signage and stronger expectations for courtesy. Most likely, it will involve all of those things.

E-bikes are not going away. They open the door to cycling for people who might otherwise never ride a bike. They help older adults remain active, enable longer adventures, and allow more people to experience the freedom of exploration.

The Challenge Ahead

The challenge isn’t deciding whether e-bikes belong on our trails. It’s figuring out how walkers, runners, traditional cyclists, and e-bike cyclists can share trails safely and respectfully.

That conversation starts by identifying the problem before we rush to prescribe the solution. If we can agree on the problems, we have a better chance of finding solutions that make trails safer and more enjoyable for everyone.

Join in the Conversation

I encourage everyone, whether you ride an e-bike, a traditional bicycle, or no bicycle at all, to familiarize yourself with e-bike classifications, your state’s revised code, and the traffic laws that govern roads and trails. An informed discussion is always better than one built on assumptions.

Participate in community conversations, whether online, at public meetings, or during discussions about proposed regulations. The best solutions are often found when people listen as much as they speak.

For traditional cyclists, it helps to understand the many reasons people choose e-bikes. For some, an e-bike provides the assistance needed to continue cycling as they age or recover from injury or illness. For others, it makes longer rides possible, encourages more frequent cycling, or allows them to replace car trips with a bicycle.

E-bike cyclists should take the time to understand the concerns expressed by traditional cyclists. Not all of those concerns are unfounded, and meaningful dialogue begins when we understand others’ experiences and perspectives.

We should remember that every person on a bicycle is a fellow cyclist. Whether powered by legs alone or assisted by a motor, we share the same trails. We all benefit when cyclists treat one another with courtesy, patience, and respect.

Tom on the Trails

I’m gathering reader perspectives on e-bikes and trail safety.
It’s a short survey, and your voice really helps shape future posts.

Take Tom on the Trails E-bike Survey here.