Worthington City Council to Consider New Passing Buffer, Sidewalk Speeds and Youth E-Bike Rules
Traffic code amendments scheduled for a public hearing increase safe vehicle passing distance to five feet, cap sidewalk speeds at eight miles per hour, and require safety courses for young riders.
Worthington City Council is scheduled to hold a public hearing on Monday, Nov. 2, 2026, to further consider Ordinance No. 31-2026 modernizing traffic regulations for bicycles, electric bicycles, and other personal transportation devices. Under the clerk's public notice, the hearing will take place at 6550 N. High Street.
Worthington City Council members gathered in council chambers.
Credit: City of Worthington Image source
Previously, Pique Media reported on suburban micromobility rules as suburbs grapple with e-device regulation, and covered municipal council micromobility rules across Central Ohio.
City staff reported that the use of e-bikes, e-scooters, and similar electric mobility devices has grown significantly due to affordability, convenience, and environmental benefits. In an administrative memorandum, staff noted that these devices are increasingly used for commuting, recreation, and short-distance travel. Municipalities are facing challenges related to pedestrian safety, roadway integration, enforcement, parking, and safety as their rapid adoption has outpaced regulatory clarity at both the state and local levels. In the staff memorandum, officials noted that Council discussed electric motorized devices several times this year.
Five-Foot Vehicle Passing Clearance
Proposed amendments to section 331.03 of the traffic code increase the safe passing distance from three feet to five feet. The traffic code specifies that an overtaking vehicle shall pass to the left at a safe distance and not drive to the right until safely clear. When a motor vehicle passes a bicycle, electric bicycle, or personal transportation device, five feet of distance on roads without bicycle lanes is considered a safe passing distance.
An amendment to section 373.08 seeks to encourage the use of high visibility clothing or accessories for riders. The provision clarifies that additional lamps and reflectors, along with high-visibility gear, may be used beyond standard requirements. Under equipment rules, red lamps and red reflectors shall not be used on the front. The rules likewise specify that white lamps and white reflectors shall not be used on the rear.
Sidewalk Speed Limits and Pedestrian Warnings
Under municipal code, no person shall operate an electric bicycle or personal transportation device upon any sidewalk within the city at a speed greater than eight miles per hour. Staff explained that the code change adds electric bicycles, requiring e-bicycles to also follow the speed limit on city sidewalks.
Operators must slow when nearing pedestrians or other bicycles or Personal Transportation Devices and give timely and audible signal before overtaking and passing a pedestrian upon a roadway, sidewalk, trail, or shared-use path. If a device lacks an installed horn or bell, the operator shall give a verbal signal before overtaking. If there is no opportunity to safely pass on a walk or path, operators shall find the safest way around others using the street, grass, or other means.
Amendments to section 301.04 provide for the removal of “human powered” in the definition of personal transportation device. The definition change was proposed to prevent the capture of human powered skateboards and human powered scooters.
Age Limits and Safety Course Mandates
Under section 373.15, no one under the age of twelve shall ride or operate a personal transportation device. Proposed changes to section 373.15 modify the age range of users and require completion of a safety course. Individuals between the age of 12 and 16, and other minors who have not obtained a driver's license, are permitted to operate a personal transportation device only after completing a safety course required by the city or registrar of motor vehicles.
Proposed changes to section 373.14 similarly modify the age range of users and require completion of a safety course. Under the updated section, no person under twelve may operate a Class 1 electric bicycle. However, children younger than 14 may ride as passengers on electric bicycles designed to accommodate passengers safely. For throttle-equipped models, no person under fourteen may operate a Class 2 electric bicycle, subject to the same passenger exception.
Advisory Board Review and Implementation
Staff presented the first two modifications to City Council on Oct. 5, 2026. Following that discussion, staff reviewed proposed changes with the Bike and Pedestrian Advisory Board during its Oct. 25, 2026 meeting.
Opinions were split on whether to recommend safety course requirements for minors, but a majority of the Board felt the topic was worthy of consideration by Council. The Board also discussed whether the threshold requirement of completion of the city safety course to operate these devices should be when minors complete an online safety course and receive a temporary learner's permit or when a minor completes driver education and receives a license.
Staff noted that the public provided numerous comments to council members regarding the proposed regulations. Following public comment and advisory reviews, additional changes are proposed to the legislation since its initial introduction. In a staff memorandum, Assistant Law Director Addison Spriggs submitted a recommendation to approve as amended.
Addressing enforcement, Law Director Tom Lindsey explained that police would focus initially on education rather than issuing charges following adoption. He stated that this would allow time to inform residents about the requirements and complete the juvenile diversion program before enforcement began. He emphasized that public education would be an important component of implementation.
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Worthington City Council is scheduled to hold a public hearing on Monday, Nov. 2, 2026, to further consider Ordinance No. 31-2026 modernizing traffic regulations for bicycles, electric bicycles, and other personal transportation devices.
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Worthington City Council will hold a public hearing on Monday, November 2, 2026, at 7:00 pm, to further consider the following Ordinance: Ordinance No. 31-2026 To Amend Chapters 301 and 373 of the City of Worthington Traffic Code to Modernize Regulations Governing Bicycles, Electric Bicycles, and Other Personal Transportation Devices.
Under the clerk's public notice, the hearing will take place at 6550 N. High Street.
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The hearing will be held at 6550 N. High Street.
Worthington Proposes Micromobility Rules as Suburbs Grapple With E-Device Regulation
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Previously, Pique Media reported on suburban micromobility rules as suburbs grapple with e-device regulation, and covered municipal council micromobility rules across Central Ohio.
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Worthington Proposes Micromobility Rules as Suburbs Grapple With E-Device Regulation
Supporting evidence (1)
Previously, Pique Media reported on suburban micromobility rules as suburbs grapple with e-device regulation, and covered municipal council micromobility rules across Central Ohio.
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Central Ohio City Councils Address IT Debt Refinancing, Micromobility Rules and Social Services Funding
City Council Agendas · November 2, 2026 · agenda
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City staff reported that the use of e-bikes, e-scooters, and similar electric mobility devices has grown significantly due to affordability, convenience, and environmental benefits.
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The use of e-bikes, e-scooters, and similar electric mobility devices, by both children and adults, has grown significantly in recent years due to their affordability, convenience, and environmental benefits.
In an administrative memorandum, staff noted that these devices are increasingly used for commuting, recreation, and short-distance travel.
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These devices are increasingly used for commuting, recreation, and short-distance travel.
Municipalities are facing challenges related to pedestrian safety, roadway integration, enforcement, parking, and safety as their rapid adoption has outpaced regulatory clarity at both the state and local levels.
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However, their rapid adoption has outpaced regulatory clarity at both the state and local levels. Municipalities are facing challenges related to pedestrian safety, roadway integration, enforcement, parking, and safety.
In the staff memorandum, officials noted that Council discussed electric motorized devices several times this year.
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Council discussed electric bicycles (e-bikes), electric scooters (e-scooters), and other low-speed electric motorized devices several times this year.
Proposed amendments to section 331.03 of the traffic code increase the safe passing distance from three feet to five feet.
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3. Change to 331.03 – To increase the safe passing distance from three feet to five feet.
The traffic code specifies that an overtaking vehicle shall pass to the left at a safe distance and not drive to the right until safely clear.
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shall pass to the left thereof at a safe distance, and shall not again drive to the right side of the roadway until safely clear of the overtaken vehicle.
When a motor vehicle passes a bicycle, electric bicycle, or personal transportation device, five feet of distance on roads without bicycle lanes is considered a safe passing distance.
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When a motor vehicle overtakes and passes a bicycle or electric bicycle or personal transportation device, three five feet of distance, on roads without bicycles lanes, is considered a safe passing distance.
An amendment to section 373.08 seeks to encourage the use of high visibility clothing or accessories for riders.
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4. Change to Section 373.08 – To encourage the use of high visibility clothing or accessories.
The provision clarifies that additional lamps and reflectors, along with high-visibility gear, may be used beyond standard requirements.
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Additional lamps and reflectors, high visibility clothing or accessories may be used in addition to those required under subsection (a) of this section
Under equipment rules, red lamps and red reflectors shall not be used on the front.
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red lamps and red reflectors shall not be used on the front of the bicycle or electric
The rules likewise specify that white lamps and white reflectors shall not be used on the rear.
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white lamps and white reflectors shall not be used on the rear of the bicycle or electric bicycle Personal Transportation Device.
Under municipal code, no person shall operate an electric bicycle or personal transportation device upon any sidewalk within the city at a speed greater than eight miles per hour.
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(a) No person shall operate an electric bicycle or Personal Transportation Device upon any sidewalk within the City at a speed greater than eight (8) miles per hour.
Staff explained that the code change adds electric bicycles, requiring e-bicycles to also follow the speed limit on city sidewalks.
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Addition of “electric bicycles” to section (a), requiring e- bicycles to also follow the speed limit on the sidewalk.
Operators must slow when nearing pedestrians or other bicycles or Personal Transportation Devices and give timely and audible signal before overtaking and passing a pedestrian upon a roadway, sidewalk, trail, or shared-use path.
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Slow when nearing pedestrians or other bicycles or Personal Transportation Devices and give timely and audible signal before overtaking and passing a pedestrian upon a roadway, sidewalk, trail, or shared-use path.
If a device lacks an installed horn or bell, the operator shall give a verbal signal before overtaking.
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The operator shall give a verbal signal if the device is not equipped with a signal-producing device.
If there is no opportunity to safely pass on a walk or path, operators shall find the safest way around others using the street, grass, or other means.
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If there is no opportunity to safely overtake and pass on the road, sidewalk, trail, or shared-use path, the operator shall find the safest way around others using the street, grass, or other means.
Amendments to section 301.04 provide for the removal of “human powered” in the definition of personal transportation device.
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1. Change to 301.04 – Removal of “human powered” in the definition of Personal Transportation Device
The definition change was proposed to prevent the capture of human powered skateboards and human powered scooters.
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prevent the capture of human powered skateboards and human powered scooters.
Under section 373.15, no one under the age of twelve shall ride or operate a personal transportation device.
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(a) No one under the age of twelve shall ride or operate a Personal Transportation Device.
Proposed changes to section 373.15 modify the age range of users and require completion of a safety course.
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6. Change to 373.15 – To add the modify the age range of users and require completion of a safety course.
Individuals between the age of 12 and 16, and other minors who have not obtained a driver's license, are permitted to operate a personal transportation device only after completing a safety course required by the city or registrar of motor vehicles.
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Individuals between the age of twelve and sixteen, and any other minors who have not obtained a license in accordance with Ohio R.C. 4507.21, shall be permitted to ride or operate a Personal Transportation Device only after the completion of a safety course as required by the City or the office of the registrar of motor vehicles.
Proposed changes to section 373.14 similarly modify the age range of users and require completion of a safety course.
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7. Changes to 373.14 - To add the modify the age range of users and require completion of a safety course.
Under the updated section, no person under twelve may operate a Class 1 electric bicycle.
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No person under twelve years of age shall operate a class 1 electric bicycle;
However, children younger than 14 may ride as passengers on electric bicycles designed to accommodate passengers safely.
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however, a person under fourteen years of age may ride as a passenger on an electric bicycle that is designed to accommodate passengers.
For throttle-equipped models, no person under fourteen may operate a Class 2 electric bicycle, subject to the same passenger exception.
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No person under fourteen years of age shall operate a class 2 electric bicycle; however, a person under fourteen years of age may ride as a passenger on an electric bicycle that is designed to accommodate passengers.
Staff presented the first two modifications to City Council on Oct. 5, 2026.
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The first two modifications were presented to Council on October 5, 2026.
Following that discussion, staff reviewed proposed changes with the Bike and Pedestrian Advisory Board during its Oct. 25, 2026 meeting.
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After discussion at the October 5, 2026 Council meeting, staff discussed proposed changes with the Bike and Pedestrian Advisory Board at their October 25, 2026 meeting.
Opinions were split on whether to recommend safety course requirements for minors, but a majority of the Board felt the topic was worthy of consideration by Council.
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Opinions were split on whether to recommend this requirement to council, but a majority of the Board felt the topic was worthy of consideration by Council.
The Board also discussed whether the threshold requirement of completion of the city safety course to operate these devices should be when minors complete an online safety course and receive a temporary learner's permit or when a minor completes driver education and receives a license.
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The Board also discussed whether the threshold requirement of completion of the City safety course to operate these devices should be when minors complete the online safety course and received a temporary learner’s permit or when a minor completes drivers education and receives a license.
Staff noted that the public provided numerous comments to council members regarding the proposed regulations.
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In addition to discussion with Council, the public provided numerous comments to Council on this issue.
Following public comment and advisory reviews, additional changes are proposed to the legislation since its initial introduction.
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As a result of public comment, and comments by the Bike and Pedestrian Advisory Board additional changes are proposed to be made to the ordinance since it was introduced by Council.
In a staff memorandum, Assistant Law Director Addison Spriggs submitted a recommendation to approve as amended.
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From: Addison Spriggs, Assistant Law Director Subject: Ordinance on E-Scooters, E-Bikes, and other E-Motorized Devices EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This Ordinance makes changes to the Codified Ordinances related to electric bicycles (e- bikes), electric scooters (e-scooters), and other low-speed electric motorized devices. RECOMMENDATION Motion to amend to include the changes recommended by staff; Approve as amended.
Addressing enforcement, Law Director Tom Lindsey explained that police would focus initially on education rather than issuing charges following adoption.
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Mr. Lindsey explained that staff anticipated an initial period following adoption of any new regulations during which police would focus on education rather than issuing charges.
He stated that this would allow time to inform residents about the requirements and complete the juvenile diversion program before enforcement began.
Read supporting passage
He stated that this would allow time to inform residents about the requirements and complete the juvenile diversion program before enforcement began.
He emphasized that public education would be an important component of implementation.
Read supporting passage
He emphasized that public education would be an important component of implementation.