Ohio E-Bike Laws
Ohio uses the three-class e-bike system (ORC 4511.01: Class 1 pedal-assist to 20 mph, Class 2 throttle to 20 mph, Class 3 pedal-assist to 28 mph, each under 750 watts) and treats e-bikes as bicycles, not motor vehicles; Class 1 and 2 may use bike paths and shared-use paths unless the controlling authority prohibits them, Class 3 may not use such paths unless the path is within or adjacent to a highway or the controlling authority authorizes it, no class may use mountain-bike, hiking, equestrian or other historically nonmotorized natural-surface trails unless authorized, operators of a Class 3 must be at least 16, and every Class 3 operator and passenger must wear a helmet at any age (ORC 4511.522).
Ohio uses the three-class electric bicycle system defined at ORC 4511.01: Class 1 (pedal-assist only, assistance ceasing at 20 mph), Class 2 (throttle-capable, no assistance above 20 mph), and Class 3 (pedal-assist only, assistance ceasing at 28 mph), each with a motor of less than 750 watts. Electric bicycles are expressly excluded from Ohio's 'motor vehicle' definition and included in its 'bicycle' definition, and ORC 4511.522 imposes no license or registration requirement. Path access under ORC 4511.522(C): Class 1 and 2 e-bikes may be ridden on bike paths and shared-use paths unless the local authority prohibits them; a Class 3 may not be ridden on a path set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles or a shared-use path unless that path is within or adjacent to a highway, or the controlling authority authorizes it; and no class of e-bike may be ridden on mountain-biking, hiking, equestrian or other natural-surface trails historically reserved for nonmotorized use unless the controlling authority permits it. No one under 16 may operate a Class 3 e-bike, though a person under 16 may ride as a passenger on a Class 3 designed to accommodate passengers, and every Class 3 operator and passenger — at any age — must wear a helmet meeting CPSC or ASTM standards (ORC 4511.522(D)). Class 3 e-bikes must be equipped with a speedometer. The section was enacted by House Bill 250 (132nd General Assembly), effective March 8, 2019, and amended effective April 15, 2021. Electric kick-scooters are regulated separately as 'low-speed micromobility devices' (ORC 4511.01: under 100 pounds, up to 20 mph on a level surface), and cities such as Columbus, Cleveland and Cincinnati layer their own shared-scooter rules on top.