Department emphasizes education, safety as riders share roads with motorists
The Carrollton Village Safety Center houses the Carrollton Police Department, which recently prepared a guide outlining rules for bicycles, e-bikes, electric scooters and other similar devices.
Thomas Clapper
With bicycles and e-bikes sharing Carrollton streets with motorists and pedestrians, the Carrollton Police Department is reminding riders that many of the same traffic rules that apply to vehicles also apply to them.
Police Chief Tim Timberlake recently put together a rider rules guide outlining village and state laws covering bicycles, electric bicycles, electric scooters and other similar devices.
Timberlake said questions about bicycles and e-bikes prompted him to develop the guide, initially as a reference for officers.
“There had been some discussion amongst the officers, too, about, ‘We don’t know anything about these e-bikes,’” Timberlake said. “So that was the reason I put that together for them, to kind of give them some guidance.”
Among the basic rules, bicycles are to be ridden on the roadway in the same direction as vehicle traffic and are not permitted on sidewalks under village ordinance. Riders are also expected to follow traffic laws, including stopping at stop signs.
The guide separately addresses children’s toy vehicles, including children’s bicycles, scooters, skateboards and roller skates, which are generally prohibited from the roadway. Electric scooters are covered separately under their own set of rules. Timberlake noted that some children’s electric bicycles may be considered toys rather than e-bikes.
Timberlake said he understands the concern parents may have about younger children riding near traffic and emphasized the department’s primary concern is keeping riders safe.
“If they’re juveniles, I get it,” he said. “We don’t want them out in traffic.”
Questions have also increased as electric bicycles have become more common.
The department’s guide divides e-bikes into three classes. Class 1 e-bikes provide pedal assistance without a throttle and have a maximum assisted speed of 20 mph. Class 2 e-bikes may use a throttle or pedal assistance and also have a maximum assisted speed of 20 mph. Class 3 e-bikes provide pedal assistance and have a maximum assisted speed of 28 mph.
Class 3 operators must be at least 16 years old, and operators and passengers must wear helmets meeting applicable safety standards. Rules governing where e-bikes may be used also vary depending on their class.
Timberlake said the department’s approach when encountering violations generally begins with explaining the rules rather than issuing a citation.
“Normally, when we stop those individuals, it’s more education than enforcement,” Timberlake said. “They could potentially be cited for violations, but that’s not the goal. We just don’t want anyone to get hurt.”
He said riders should remember they are sharing the roadway and have responsibilities while doing so.
“They’re another vehicle on the road, and they need to obey the traffic laws just like the vehicles that are traveling,” Timberlake said.
That includes riding with traffic, stopping at stop signs, using hand signals and having proper lighting when riding at night. Timberlake also encouraged riders to wear helmets.
The guide addresses electric scooters as well. It states riders should travel with traffic on the roadway, while sidewalks and shared-use paths are also permitted under Ohio law. Electric scooters have a maximum speed of 20 mph, and riders are required to yield to pedestrians and have appropriate lighting or reflectors when operating from sunset to sunrise.
Timberlake also encouraged riders to use bicycles and e-bikes only in appropriate areas. He said residents are welcome to ride to places such as the Fifth Street park and enjoy the facilities, but e-bikes should not be ridden on the walking track or in areas where they could interfere with pedestrians or damage property.
Parents can also help by talking with children about bicycle safety and traffic laws, Timberlake said. The department is also willing to speak with groups of children about bicycle safety if requested.
Residents who have questions or would like a copy of the complete rider rules guide can visit the Carrollton Police Department at 135 Third St. SW, Carrollton, or call the department’s non-emergency line at 330-627-2858.
“They can stop and get a copy of that,” Timberlake said. “Officers can make them a copy and give it to them.”