Two Ohio Democrats have proposed statewide e-bike and e-scooter rules that would require a helmet on every rider. State Sen. Bill DeMora (D-Columbus) and Rep. Eric Synenberg (D-Beachwood) are sponsoring the plan, and the Senate version was introduced Oct. 7, 2026. It is a proposal. Nothing in it applies to riders today.
What the proposal would change
Coverage from WKRC/Local 12, 13abc, WOUB and WHIO agrees on the main points. The “today” column below comes from ABC6’s description of current law.
| Topic | Ohio today | Senate proposal |
|---|---|---|
| Helmets | Class 3 riders and passengers | Every rider |
| Rider age | Class 3 barred under 16 | 14 to ride an e-bike or e-scooter |
| Rentals | Not covered in the reports | Renter must be 18 |
| Sidewalk speed | Not covered in the reports | 5 mph |
| Shared-path speed | Not covered in the reports | 10 mph |
| Registration | Not covered in the reports | One-time $25 fee |
Current law also sets a 20 mph ceiling for low-speed micromobility devices and lets local governments restrict or ban some of them, per ABC6.
More details from the reports:
- WHIO says every owned or rented device would need registration. 13abc describes the fee as per device.
- WHIO says bikes that go faster than 20 mph would be limited to riders 18 and older.
- WOUB and 13abc say children under 12 could not ride as passengers unless the operator is 21 or older.
- Riders without a driver’s license would take online classes, per WHIO. 13abc says e-bike and scooter material would be added to the license exam and driver’s education.
Penalties and enforcement
WKRC reports that violations would be misdemeanors. It does not give the degree. A third violation would let police impound the device, and police and sheriff’s deputies would do the enforcing.
The sources we have do not describe any penalty for parents under the state plan. Parent liability does exist in some Ohio cities, though (see Hilliard below). We also could not find a bill number in the coverage. Check the Ohio legislature’s website for the Senate text before you quote any detail.
Why the sponsors say they are doing it
ABC6 reports that Akron Children’s Hospital had treated more e-bike and scooter injuries by mid-July 2026 than in all of 2025. The list included brain injuries, fractures, road rash and internal-organ injuries.
WOUB adds two figures. It attributes a 300% rise in child e-bike injuries over four years to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. It also cites a Hopkins Medicine study in which children made up more than 45% of e-scooter injuries.
Synenberg argued that today’s rules ask young riders to grasp that a bump, an obstacle or a sharp turn at speed can cause a lasting injury. DeMora called it “a health issue, a safety issue.”
A House version was expected soon. WHIO put it within a week of Oct. 7, and ABC6 noted about six weeks left in the session. Those are expectations. Treat the timing as unconfirmed.
Some Ohio cities already went first
Hilliard. City Council voted unanimously on Aug. 24, according to WCMH via AOL. Anyone under 18 must wear a helmet on a bike, e-bike or low-speed device on a road, sidewalk or shared-use path. Before, only Class 3 riders needed one. A WSYX summary describes the helmet rule as applying to Class 3 bikes, so read the ordinance text if it matters to you.
Other Hilliard changes, per WCMH:
- Class 3 bikes are generally off bike paths and shared-use paths unless the path runs alongside a road or the city approves them.
- Class 3 operators must be 16 or older.
- A parent or guardian who “recklessly” lets a child break the rules faces a minor misdemeanor on a first offense. A second offense within a year is a fourth-degree misdemeanor, and later ones are third-degree.
- Police can impound devices. A juvenile’s device is held until a parent or guardian claims it.
Fairview Park. Citizen Portal reported on Sept. 9, 2026 that a committee amended helmet language in ordinances 26-41 and 26-42 and sent both forward for more readings. The final wording is not in the part of the article we could read.
Questions riders ask
Do you have to wear a helmet on an e-bike in Ohio?
On Class 3 e-bikes, yes, for riders and passengers, per ABC6’s summary of state law. Cities can go further, and Hilliard now requires helmets for anyone under 18. The Senate bill would extend the rule to everyone.
What happens if you get caught breaking the rules?
Under the proposal, a misdemeanor, with impoundment on a third violation. Under Hilliard’s ordinance, a device can be impounded right away, and parents can face charges.
Can police stop a cyclist?
The reports do not address traffic stops. They only say police and sheriff’s deputies would enforce the new rules.
What to check now
Find your bike’s class on its label. Our guide to Class 1, 2 and 3 e-bikes explains the differences. Class 3 is where most current Ohio restrictions bite.
If you ride in Hilliard, Fairview Park or another city with its own code, read the local ordinance. Parents should read it too. If you rent e-bikes or scooters, watch for the House bill and the 18-and-over rental rule. Other states are moving as well, and we covered the New York City Class 3 ban bills for comparison.
