Worthington, Ohio Delays E-Bike Restrictions as Council Seeks Changes to Age and Helmet Rules

October 9, 2026 | Worthington, Ohio

Worthington City Council voted unanimously on October 5, 2026, to postpone proposed restrictions on electric bikes, e-scooters, and other personal transportation devices while city staff revise the ordinance. Riders can compare the proposal with existing statewide requirements in my Ohio E-Bike Laws Guide.

The proposed restrictions include a minimum operating age of 14 for Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes, expanded helmet requirements, and an 8 mph sidewalk speed limit for covered devices.

These proposed Worthington rules are not yet law. Council voted 7-0 to postpone Ordinance 31-2026, with November 2 identified as the planned date for reconsideration. Approval on that date is not guaranteed.

For other developments affecting riders, visit my Electric Bike News archive.

Current Status: Worthington Postpones E-Bike Ordinance

Worthington introduced Ordinance 31-2026 on September 14, 2026, to modernize Chapters 301 and 373 of its traffic code.

The proposal addresses bicycles, electric bikes, e-scooters, and other personal transportation devices.

The city invited public comments and held a public hearing on October 5.

Following more than an hour of discussion, council members voted 7-0 to postpone action and return the ordinance to city staff for further revisions.

According to The Columbus Dispatch, council members requested consideration of several additional measures, including rider education, increased passing distances, and new precautions when passing pedestrians on sidewalks.

The ordinance is expected to return for consideration on November 2, 2026. That is a planned reconsideration date, not a confirmed adoption or effective date.

What E-Bike Restrictions Is Worthington Proposing?

Worthington’s original proposal includes several new requirements for bicycles and other personal transportation devices.

Minimum Age of 14 for Class 1 and Class 2 E-Bikes

The proposed ordinance would prohibit children younger than 14 from operating Class 1 and Class 2 electric bicycles.

It would also establish a minimum operating age of 14 for electric scooters.

Ohio already has a statewide minimum operating age of 16 for Class 3 e-bikes.

The proposed local age restriction would therefore primarily affect younger riders using Class 1 and Class 2 models and certain other covered devices.

Helmet Requirements for Riders Under 18

Worthington’s proposal would require anyone younger than 18 to wear a helmet when riding covered devices, including traditional bicycles.

This would expand local helmet requirements for younger riders.

Ohio already requires every Class 3 e-bike operator and passenger to wear a qualifying helmet, regardless of age.

Worthington’s proposed under-18 provision would not replace or weaken that statewide Class 3 requirement.

Proposed 8 MPH Sidewalk Speed Limit

The city is also considering an 8 mph speed limit for covered bicycles and other personal transportation devices when operated on sidewalks.

The purpose is to help reduce conflicts between riders and pedestrians.

This proposed limit applies to sidewalk operation. It should not be confused with an 8 mph speed limit on all Worthington streets, bike lanes, or trails.

For more information about how local regulations can affect where electric bikes are ridden, see my E-Bike Sidewalk Laws Guide.

Passenger and Pedestrian-Passing Rules

The original proposal would prohibit riders younger than 18 from carrying passengers on covered devices.

It would also require riders to slow down when approaching or passing pedestrians and other riders.

The proposed provisions address audible warnings when passing, including situations where a device does not have an installed audible warning signal.

These provisions remain proposed and could change before a final council vote.

What Additional Changes Did Council Request?

During the October 5 meeting, council members requested further examination of several provisions that were not established as adopted requirements.

Possible Five-Foot Passing Requirement

Worthington is considering whether to require motor vehicle drivers to leave at least five feet when overtaking bicyclists and other covered riders.

Under existing Ohio Revised Code §4511.27, motorists must pass bicycles and electric bicycles at a safe distance, and the statute specifically identifies three feet or greater as a safe passing distance.

The proposed five-foot local requirement would be an increase over that statewide standard.

However, the five-foot proposal has not been adopted.

Possible Education Requirement for Ages 12-16

Council members also asked city staff to examine an education requirement for riders between the ages of 12 and 16.

The discussion concerned young people using electric bikes, scooters, and other covered personal transportation devices.

The precise content of any training, how participants would complete it, and whether exemptions would apply have not been established.

The education proposal should not be confused with the original 14-year minimum operating-age proposal.

Possible Motor Disengagement Near Pedestrians

Another suggestion was to require riders to disengage their electric motors when passing pedestrians on sidewalks.

Council requested that staff consider the practicality of such a rule.

No final requirement has been established, and important details about enforcement and which devices would be covered remain unresolved.

What Are Ohio’s Current E-Bike Laws?

Ohio recognizes three classes of electric bicycles under Ohio Revised Code §4511.01.

Each class must have fully operable pedals and an electric motor rated at less than 750W.

Class	Motor assistance	Assisted-speed cutoff
Class 1	Pedal assist only	20 mph
Class 2	May assist without pedaling	20 mph
Class 3	Pedal assist only	28 mph

These speed limits describe when the electric motor must stop assisting. They are not necessarily maximum speeds a bicycle can physically travel under human power or downhill momentum.

Ohio Class 3 Age and Helmet Rules

Under Ohio Revised Code §4511.522:

• Riders must be at least 16 years old to operate a Class 3 e-bike.
• Children younger than 16 may ride as passengers on Class 3 e-bikes designed to accommodate passengers.
• Every Class 3 operator and passenger must wear a qualifying protective helmet, regardless of age.

The helmet must meet the applicable Consumer Product Safety Commission or ASTM standards referenced in Ohio law.

Ohio Motor Wattage Requirements

Ohio’s electric bicycle definitions specify a motor rated at less than 750W.

That statutory wording is important. The law does not define all three e-bike classes as allowing motors rated at 750W or less.

When evaluating whether an electric bicycle fits Ohio’s legal definition, riders should consider its actual motor rating and operating characteristics, not just its marketing description.

How Worthington’s Proposal Would Add Local Requirements

Worthington’s original ordinance would add a minimum operating age of 14 for Class 1 and Class 2 electric bikes, an under-18 helmet requirement for covered devices, and additional sidewalk and pedestrian-passing provisions.

The city is separately considering whether to add a five-foot passing requirement and youth education measures.

None of those additional proposed requirements should be treated as adopted law as of October 9, 2026.

For more detailed statewide guidance, see my Ohio E-Bike Laws Guide.

Who Would Be Affected by the Proposed Worthington Rules?

The proposal could affect several groups if adopted.

Parents and younger riders: Families would need to understand the proposed minimum ages and expanded helmet requirements, along with existing Class 3 restrictions.

Adults riding on sidewalks: Riders could be subject to the proposed 8 mph sidewalk limit and additional pedestrian-passing rules.

Drivers: Motorists could face a new local five-foot passing requirement if council ultimately includes and adopts that provision.

Pedestrians: The sidewalk-speed and passing requirements are intended to address interactions between people walking and people using bicycles or other transportation devices.

E-scooter and other micromobility users: The ordinance covers more than electric bicycles, although specific requirements vary by device.

The final effect will depend on the language the council ultimately adopts, if any.

What Happens Next for Ordinance 31-2026?

Following the October 5 postponement, city staff were asked to revise the proposal.

The Columbus Dispatch reported that council planned to reconsider the ordinance on November 2, 2026.

That does not mean the ordinance is guaranteed to pass at the next meeting.

Council could amend the proposal further, postpone it again, approve a revised version, or take another action.

Riders should check the updated ordinance text and official city meeting records before relying on any new local requirement.

Even if an ordinance is approved, its adoption date and effective date may differ.

For now, the existing Ohio statutes and currently effective Worthington rules remain the relevant legal starting point.

My Take

I think Worthington’s decision to postpone the ordinance gives the city an opportunity to make its regulations clearer and more practical.

Helmet use, safe sidewalk speeds, and protecting pedestrians are legitimate concerns, particularly when younger riders are involved.

However, any new age restrictions or education requirements should be easy for families to understand. Riders also need clarity about which requirements apply to Class 1, Class 2, and Class 3 e-bikes, as well as scooters and other devices.

The proposed five-foot passing requirement is another issue worth watching. Ohio already recognizes three feet or greater as a safe passing distance, and Worthington is considering whether a higher local requirement would provide added protection.

I would also like to see clear guidance on how officers would enforce any requirement to disengage an electric motor near pedestrians.

For now, Worthington has postponed the proposal rather than adopting it. I’ll be watching the planned November 2 reconsideration to see which provisions remain in the final version.

How This Story Was Verified

This report is based on Worthington’s official September 2026 announcement, its October 5 public-hearing notice, the Ohio Revised Code, and October 6 reporting from The Columbus Dispatch.

The city’s documents establish the original proposed restrictions and hearing schedule. Local reporting provides the October 5 postponement vote, the planned November 2 reconsideration, and council’s requested changes.

Proposed provisions are distinguished from laws currently in effect.

Official Sources and Reporting

• City of Worthington – Proposed E-Bike and E-Scooter Legislation
• City of Worthington – October 5 Public Hearing Notice
• Worthington Municipal Code – Electric Bicycles
• Ohio Revised Code §4511.01 – Electric Bicycle Definitions
• Ohio Revised Code §4511.522 – Electric Bicycle Rules
• Ohio Revised Code §4511.27 – Safe Passing Distance
• The Columbus Dispatch – Worthington Postpones E-Bike Ordinance Vote, October 6, 2026