Definitions
Electric bicycles are legal bicycles in Ohio. These vehicles operate like ordinary bicycles, but include a battery and small motors that provide assistance for longer rides or just for going uphill. These bikes are the fastest growing segment of the bicycle retail market (source: Upway Trend Report 2025). Class 1 and Class 2 E-bikes, as defined in the Ohio Revised Code, are allowed on the entire Miami Valley Trails network.
Ohio law defines three classes of legal e-bikes:
- Class 1 - A bicycle equipped with an electric motor of no more than 750W that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling, and that ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 20 miles per hour. License - not required. Registration - not required. Helmet - not required.
- Class 2 - A bicycle equipped with an electric motor of no more than 750W that may be used exclusively to propel the bicycle, and that is not capable of providing assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 20 miles per hour. License - not required. Registration - not required. Helmet - not required.
- Class 3 - A bicycle equipped with an electric motor of no more than 750W that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling, and that ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 28 miles per hour and is equipped with a speedometer. License - not required. Registration - not required. Helmet - required. Please note: while street legal, Class 3 Electric Bicycles are NOT permitted on the Miami Valley Trails.
Recently, devices that exceed these legal limits have appeared on the market. These devices, often available online, can have motors with power ratings of 2500W or more, and can reach speeds exceeding 45 miles per hour. Regardless of how they are marketed, devices that exceed the legal limits of e-bikes are not legal e-bikes in Ohio. Frequently, you may hear these devices referred to as e-Motos, or electric motorcycles, but as of November 2026, there is no definition of these vehicles in the Ohio Revised Code. For more detail, Review the presentation about the differences between legal e-bikes and e-motos.
Model Ordinance
MVRPC and Greater Dayton Mayors and Managers Association partnered to develop a model ordinance for local governments about e-bikes, e-motos and personal micro mobility devices. Over the past several months, elected officials, city managers, law directors, and public safety officials across the Miami Valley have worked together to address growing concerns about e-bikes, e-scooters, e-motos, and other personal mobility devices. The Working Group had productive discussions about helmets, sidewalk use, reckless operation, enforcement, and the challenges we're all facing in our communities.
One thing to emphasize is that this is a model ordinance. The goal was to put together a resource that communities could use, whether that means adopting the entire ordinance, incorporating certain provisions into existing legislation, or taking a different approach based on local needs.
Local governments are encouraged to take this back to their Law Directors and Police Chiefs and discuss what makes sense for their communities. From there, leaders can determine what recommendations to bring forward to your respective Councils and residents for consideration.
At the same time, changes are being considered at the state level that could affect local regulations, so MVRPC will keep monitoring those developments.
