Vermilion police say some electric bikes are not street legal
VERMILION — After two juveniles were stopped on e-dirt bikes in heavy traffic, Vermilion police are warning parents to know what they are buying before allowing children to ride electric bikes on public roads.
Vermilion Police Chief Scott Holmes said an officer saw two juveniles riding e-dirt bikes at 4:12 p.m. June 10 down the middle of Liberty Avenue near Vermilion Road during heavy traffic.
The riders, ages 13 and 14, were operating recklessly, weaving through traffic and doing wheelies, Holmes said.
When the officer initiated a traffic stop, the riders split up and attempted to flee, according to Holmes. Both juveniles were eventually taken into custody.
Both were charged with reckless operation, operating without a driver’s license and operating a nonregistered vehicle on the roadway. The e-dirt bikes were towed and impounded, and the juveniles’ parents picked them up at the Vermilion Police Department.
Holmes said he shared the incident publicly to bring attention to what he called a growing issue in Vermilion and across the country.
“Yes, the VPD has other issues to address and does not want to be citing teenagers for this type of incident,” Holmes said. “But this is a safety issue for the community and the riders who are often identified as juveniles.”
Holmes urged parents to understand the difference between an electric bicycle and an e-dirt bike.
“Parents, please know what you are buying for your children,” Holmes said.
An e-dirt bike like the ones involved in the incident can cost thousands of dollars and may be capable of speeds up to 50 mph, Holmes said. He said those vehicles are not bicycles and do not fall under Ohio’s electric bicycle classifications.
“It is not a bicycle or any classification of e-bicycle, it is an e-dirtbike and is not street legal,” Holmes said. “It is made for off-road use only.”
Holmes said an e-dirt bike may be modified to become street legal, but that would require the rider to have a driver’s license or motorcycle endorsement, license plates and insurance.
Ohio law defines electric bicycles by class. Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes provide assistance up to 20 mph, while Class 3 e-bikes provide pedal assistance up to 28 mph. Under state law, Class 3 e-bikes must have an electric motor of less than 750 watts.
Holmes said the e-dirt bike involved in the Vermilion incident had between 8,000 and 10,000 watts.
“These are not toys,” Holmes said.
Ohio law also requires electric bicycles to have a label showing the class of the bike, its top assisted speed and its motor wattage. A rider under 16 is not allowed to operate a Class 3 e-bike, and anyone operating or riding as a passenger on a Class 3 e-bike must wear a protective helmet.
For parents, Holmes’ warning is simple: before buying an electric bike, scooter or similar vehicle for a child, check what it is, how fast it goes, whether it is street legal and what safety equipment or licensing may be required.
That is especially important because many electric bikes can look similar to regular bicycles or scooters, even when they are capable of much higher speeds.
Helmets, lights, reflectors and basic traffic-safety habits can also make a major difference for young riders. Children riding bikes or scooters near traffic should be visible, should understand stop signs and traffic signals, and should know that drivers may not always see them.
Anyone with questions about regulations involving e-bicycles, e-dirt bikes or mopeds can contact the Vermilion Police Department.
Holmes said the goal is to keep riders, families and the community safe.
“We want everyone to be safe and want to avoid an accidental tragedy,” Holmes said.