Council adopts ordinances regulating e-bikes, e-scooters and other electric mobility devices

Mentor-on-the-Lake — The City Council on Dec. 4 approved two ordinances clarifying rules for electric mobility devices as the holiday season brings increased use of e-bikes and e-scooters.

The second readings of Ordinance 2025‑O‑23 (amending Chapter 4.74 on bicycles and motorcycles generally to clarify regulations for bicycles including electric bicycles) and Ordinance 2025‑O‑24 (amending sections on operation of electric personal assistive mobility devices and low‑speed micro‑mobility devices) were read by title. Council members noted a desire to get rules on the books before increased seasonal use and moved to suspend the rules to finalize action tonight. A motion to suspend the rules passed and both ordinances were approved by roll call.

Council members debated public outreach timing; one member asked that the public have adequate time to comment and noted there were no public comments in the evening’s first public comment session. Another member said the ordinances had been worked on through the year and urged prompt adoption to address anticipated increased usage.

What the ordinances do: the measures clarify which devices fall under bicycle regulations, set operational standards for electric personal assistive mobility devices and low‑speed micro‑mobility devices, and update enforcement language to reflect electric device types. The ordinances were passed on second reading after suspension of the rules.

Next steps: City staff will circulate the finalized ordinance language and enforcement guidance; the council record shows the ordinances passed and the clerk recorded the roll‑call approvals.