Worthington's New E-Bike Rules: Kids' Ages, Helmets and an 8 mph Sidewalk Limit
Illustration. Not a specific Worthington path.
Worthington spent most of 2026 arguing about e-bikes and e-scooters. On Nov. 2 the City Council settled it, passing Ordinance 31-2026 by a 6-0 vote with one member absent. The rules cover who can ride, how fast, where, and what kids have to wear.
Jump to: Rules table | Ages by device | Safety course | Helmets | Sidewalks and paths | Trails | Passing | Tickets | Parent checklist | Local shops | FAQ
The short version: young kids are off e-devices entirely, younger teens need a safety course first, everyone under 18 needs a helmet, and sidewalks get an 8 mph cap.
Status as of Nov. 4, 2026: passed Nov. 2, 2026. The Columbus Dispatch reports the rules take effect Feb. 1, 2027. This is general information, not legal advice. Check the city's final ordinance text before relying on any detail.
The rules at a glance
| Rule | What Ordinance 31-2026 says |
|---|---|
| Youngest riders | No one under 12 may operate an e-scooter or other personal transportation device, or a Class 1 e-bike. Class 2 starts at 14, Class 3 at 16. |
| Safety course | Riders 12 to 16, plus any minor without a driver's license, must finish a safety course before riding |
| Helmets | Required for everyone under 18 on a bicycle (the city's definition of bicycle includes e-bikes), motorized bicycle or personal transportation device. Class 3 riders of any age already need one under state law. |
| Sidewalks | E-bikes and e-scooters capped at 8 mph |
| Shared-use paths | E-bikes and e-scooters capped at 15 mph |
| Unpaved paths and trails | No e-bikes, motorized bicycles or e-scooters |
| Passengers | Minors can't carry passengers on e-scooters and similar devices |
| Passing | Slow down and give an audible signal before passing; cars must give bikes and scooters 5 feet where there's no bike lane |
| No-ride zones | The city manager can post signs banning bikes and e-devices in parks, plazas and business districts |
Minimum ages, device by device
This is the part most families will care about. The ordinance sets different floors for different devices:
| Device | Minimum age to operate | Safety course required for |
|---|---|---|
| E-scooter / personal transportation device | 12 | Ages 12 to 16, and unlicensed minors |
| Class 1 e-bike (pedal assist, 20 mph) | 12 | Ages 12 to 16, and unlicensed minors |
| Class 2 e-bike (throttle, 20 mph) | 14 | Ages 14 to 16, and unlicensed minors |
| Class 3 e-bike (pedal assist, 28 mph) | 16 | (16+ only; helmet required for everyone) |
Younger kids can still ride along as passengers on an e-bike that's built to carry one, like a cargo bike with a child seat. The ordinance allows riders under 14 as passengers on Class 1 and 2 bikes designed for it, and riders under 16 on Class 3 bikes designed for it. On e-scooters and other personal transportation devices, minors can't carry passengers at all.
Not sure which class your bike is? It's usually printed on a label on the frame. Our guide to checking your e-bike's motor label shows where to look.
The safety course
Riders between 12 and 16 (14 and 16 for Class 2), and any other minor who doesn't have an Ohio driver's license, can ride only "after the completion of a safety course as required by the City or the office of the registrar of motor vehicles."
The ordinance doesn't name the course. As of Nov. 4, the city hasn't said where to take it, how long it is, or whether it's online. Worthington police have already been teaching e-bike and e-scooter safety in schools, and city staff have said a safety video is in development.
The city's Bike and Pedestrian Advisory Board debated pushing the course requirement up to licensed 16- and 17-year-olds too. Board members were split. As written, a teen with a driver's license doesn't need the course.
Helmets for everyone under 18
The new helmet rule says no one under 18 may ride "a motorized bicycle, bicycle, or Personal Transportation Device in the City" without a protective helmet. The ordinance defines "bicycle" to include electric bicycles, so the rule covers e-bikes as well as regular bicycles and e-scooters.
Council debated going further. Some members wanted helmets for adults too, but others opposed it and the under-18 version won. Ohio law already requires a helmet for anyone operating or riding on a Class 3 e-bike, at any age.
The penalty is mild on purpose. A first helmet ticket can be dismissed if you show the city prosecutor proof you bought a helmet within 30 days. Otherwise, under the amended text council approved, the fine can be up to $50 for a first offense and $100 after that.
Sidewalks and shared-use paths
E-bikes and e-scooters are still allowed on Worthington sidewalks, but no faster than 8 mph, roughly a fast jog. On shared-use paths the cap is 15 mph.
That fits a trend: more cities are setting path speed limits rather than banning e-bikes outright. We tracked others in our roundup of cities choosing 15 mph trail limits over Class 3 bans.
Class 3 e-bikes follow the state rule. They're kept off bike-only and shared-use paths unless the path runs alongside a road, or the city authorizes them on it.
Motorized mobility devices used by people with disabilities are exempt from the speed limits.
Unpaved trails are off-limits
E-bikes, motorized bicycles and e-scooters can't be ridden on unpaved public paths or trails in Worthington. Mountain-bike, hiking and natural-surface trails that have historically been reserved for non-motorized use are closed to all three e-bike classes unless the city decides otherwise.
The city manager can also post signs banning bikes and e-devices in specific parks, plazas or business districts. Once a sign goes up, riding there is a violation. No locations had been posted as of Nov. 4, so watch for new signs, especially downtown.
Passing people, and cars passing you
Riders have to slow down near pedestrians and give a timely, audible signal before passing on a road, sidewalk, trail or path. Your bike needs a bell or horn that can be heard from 100 feet, or you have to call out. If there's no safe way to pass, the ordinance tells you to find the safest way around, even using the grass or the street.
Drivers get a new duty too. On roads without bike lanes, a driver passing a bicycle, e-bike or scooter must give it 5 feet, up from 3 feet.
Riders also need both hands on the handlebars except when signaling, and the ordinance encourages high-visibility clothing.
What a ticket costs
Breaking the sidewalk, path and no-ride-zone rules is a minor misdemeanor. Under the amended text council approved, the fine can reach $50 for a first offense, $100 for a second and $200 after that. Riders can be offered a city-approved safety education program instead of a fine.
City staff have said police will focus on education rather than charges at first. In October, the city manager relayed that the interim police chief expects officers to stick to education and warnings for 60 to 90 days after the rules take effect.
How this fits with Ohio's pending bill
A statewide bill, Ohio Senate Bill 477, would add a $25 registration and ban riders under 14. It hasn't passed. Worthington's rules stand on their own either way. Our SB 477 explainer and our Ohio e-bike laws guide cover the state picture. North Ridgeville, Ohio, set its own local rules too, and we wrote those up here.
Parent checklist before Feb. 1
- Check the class of every e-bike in the house, using the frame label.
- Match it to each kid's age with the table above. A 13-year-old can ride a Class 1 but not a Class 2.
- Watch for the city's safety course announcement if you have a rider between 12 and 16, or an unlicensed 16- or 17-year-old.
- Get a helmet for every rider under 18, including kids on regular bikes.
- Add a bell if the bike doesn't have one.
- Talk about sidewalk speed. 8 mph is slower than most e-bikes cruise.
- Stay off dirt trails on any e-bike or scooter.
Where to get a bell, helmet or a class check nearby
Worthington has one listed e-bike shop, RideHome. Across Franklin County there are more than 30 shops, including 20 listings in Columbus. Many can tell you your bike's class and fit a helmet in a few minutes. Looking for somewhere to ride legally? Try our Franklin County things-to-do guide, or browse the full Ohio directory.
FAQ
When do Worthington's e-bike rules take effect?
The council passed them on Nov. 2, 2026, and the Columbus Dispatch reports they take effect Feb. 1, 2027. Police plan to focus on education at first.
How old do you have to be to ride an e-bike in Worthington?
At least 12 for a Class 1 e-bike or an e-scooter, 14 for a Class 2, and 16 for a Class 3. Riders 12 to 16 and unlicensed minors also need a safety course. Younger kids can ride as passengers on bikes built to carry them.
Do adults need a helmet on an e-bike in Worthington?
Not under the city rule, which covers riders under 18. Ohio law requires a helmet for anyone on a Class 3 e-bike, regardless of age.
How fast can you ride an e-bike on a Worthington sidewalk?
No more than 8 mph. The limit on shared-use paths is 15 mph.
Can you ride an e-bike on dirt trails in Worthington?
No. E-bikes, motorized bicycles and e-scooters aren't allowed on unpaved public paths or trails in the city.
Sources: City of Worthington, Ordinance 31-2026 (As Amended), Nov. 2, 2026 City Council agenda packet; The Columbus Dispatch (Nov. 3, 2026); Worthington Pulse. This article is for general information and isn't legal advice.
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