Police chief presents draft e‑bike, e‑scooter rules; council backs 5 mph sidewalk limit and education push

The Beachwood City Council safety committee heard a presentation from the police chief on proposed updates to local code to address e-bikes and e-scooters, and members agreed on a framework that emphasizes enforceable rules and public education.

The chief told the council he and assistant law staff drafted a "very, rough draft" because much of the city's bicycle-related code dates to 1974 and does not explicitly cover motor-assisted devices. "These devices... they can get up to, you know, 25, 30 miles an hour," the chief said, stressing safety concerns and the need to clarify where different devices may operate.

Council discussion centered on two trade-offs: whether to prohibit motorized scooters on sidewalks or to allow them with strict speed limits, and how to write rules that police can practically enforce. Councilman Smith said an outright ban could prevent neighborhood use by children but warned about dangerous speeds when devices are modified. "If you engage the motor at all... on sidewalks," the councilman said, "that means... they can't use those devices at all, basically."

A staff member explained standard device classifications used in other jurisdictions: Class 1 e-bikes provide assistance only while pedaling up to 20 mph; Class 2 provide assistance regardless of pedaling up to 20 mph; Class 3 assist while pedaling and cut off at 28 mph. Council members discussed whether park and bike-path allowances (Pepper Pike permits Class 1 and 2 on park paths) should be mirrored in Beachwood or carved out as exceptions.

Enforceability was a recurring concern. Officials questioned whether officers could reliably determine speed or class during a stop and whether ordinary observation would be sufficient evidence in court. The chief said enforcement resources would be a limiting factor and urged that any new rules be realistic to administer.

Several council members supported an education-first approach to reduce risky behavior. Suggestions included a tear-out information page in the city's "buzz" newsletter, social media outreach, school and camp outreach, and an informational table at National Night Out. "We put it out through social media... advertise in the buzz and we give the literature to the officers," the chief said, describing a less punitive emphasis initially.

On operational details, one council member proposed limiting scooters on sidewalks to 5 miles per hour; others noted the park already has a 10 mph posted limit. The council also flagged a legal gap: devices that outperform Class 3 thresholds might not fit neatly into existing vehicle definitions and could require exception language in the ordinance to prevent them from being treated as motorcycles.

Members agreed there was a basic framework to proceed but asked staff for more work on practical language. The council discussed timing for next steps and the committee noted the July 13 council meeting as a target for introduction. "We can introduce it, put it on 1st reading, or refer it back to safety committee meetings," the Chair said. No formal vote was taken; the group signaled broad consensus to refine the draft and return with revisions.

Next steps: staff will revise the draft ordinance to add e-bike/e-scooter definitions, consider a 5 mph sidewalk limit for scooters, and prepare outreach materials; the council aims to circulate updated drafts for possible first reading at the July 13 council meeting, with additional follow-up scheduled as needed.