BEXLEY — The Bexley City Council on Nov. 18 adopted an amended ordinance to regulate electric bicycles and motorized personal mobility devices, aiming to balance safety with access as e‑bikes become more common.

The ordinance (27‑25) updates the codified rules for bicycles and electric bicycles, allows limited sidewalk operation on Main Street, Broad Street and Livingston Avenue under strict speed limits, clarifies impoundment authority for officers, lowers the minimum age for class‑1 e‑bikes from 14 to 12 and creates an education and registration path for younger riders. Councilmember Markham moved to amend the ordinance to add South Drexel and the changes relating to parental waivers; the motion passed and the amended ordinance was adopted on roll call.

Mayor Ben Kessler and staff described the changes as a mix of enforcement and education. Kessler noted the legal tension between state and local rules on sidewalk use and defended the speed‑based approach: “Ohio allows sidewalks, but also allows cities to further restrict them,” he said, adding that a speed threshold gives officers a practical metric to enforce.

Residents urged clear, enforceable rules and practical implementation. Spencer Cahoon, a resident who testified at length, recommended licensing the vehicle rather than the rider to make it easier for officers to verify compliance in the field: “If you are licensing based on the vehicle instead of based on the person, you can have a sticker that's required for bikes… It takes the guesswork out of the law enforcement side of it,” Cahoon said.

Other commenters, including representatives from cycling advocacy groups and parents, urged robust education for families before penalties are applied and suggested allowing safety training in schools or online catch‑up classes as part of the city’s rollout.

Council discussed whether 12 is too young for a motor‑assisted device capable of 20 mph and debated optional training, parental waivers and inspection requirements. Under the adopted language, no person under 12 may operate a class‑1 e‑bike; persons 12–15 must either complete the city educational program or have a written parental waiver filed with the city, with the city reserving the right to require inspection of the bicycle.

The ordinance includes emergency language so the rules take effect quickly for the holiday season. Councilmembers said they expect to monitor enforcement and return with tweaks if needed once the policy is implemented.

The council vote to adopt the amended ordinance was unanimous among members present.