CLERMONT COUNTY, Ohio — A police warning from another part of the Cincinnati Tri-State is raising a timely safety reminder for Clermont County parents as summer break approaches.
Hamilton police say they are preparing to crack down on riders using high-powered e-bikes and electric dirt bikes in ways that are creating dangerous conditions on streets, sidewalks and trails.
The warning comes from nearby Hamilton, but the issue is familiar across the Cincinnati Tri-State, including Clermont County.
Police say some riders have been weaving through traffic, switching between roads and sidewalks, and riding at speeds that are much closer to motor vehicles than ordinary bicycles.
Officers are especially concerned because many of the riders are children or teenagers, and many parents may not realize how powerful some of the bikes can be.
Hamilton police said some riders have been seen traveling at up to 30 mph on sidewalks in downtown business areas, creating a danger for pedestrians coming in and out of shops and restaurants.
There have also been reports of people being struck or clipped by riders. In one case, police said a child suffered serious cuts and needed stitches after being hit by a rider on a trail.
Police are urging families to check the type of bike their child is using before summer, when more young people are expected to be out in neighborhoods, parks and on bike paths.
What parents need to know
Not every electric bike is legally treated as a bicycle.
Under Ohio law, an electric bicycle must have working pedals and an electric motor of no more than 750 watts. Ohio recognizes different classes of e-bikes, with speed limits depending on the type.
Some high-powered electric dirt bikes, or bikes without working pedals, may fall outside normal e-bike rules. That can mean they are treated more like mopeds or motorcycles, with possible requirements for registration, insurance or a proper license.
The simplest check for parents is this: if the bike is very powerful, has no working pedals, or can travel well above normal bicycle speeds, it may not be legal to ride like a standard bicycle.
Police say the goal is not to stop responsible riders from using legal e-bikes, but to prevent fast, motorized bikes from being used dangerously in places where pedestrians, drivers and children may not expect them.
For Clermont County families, the warning is straightforward: before summer break begins, check the bike, check the speed, and make sure young riders understand that a fast e-bike is not the same thing as a toy.
