10/11/2026
Knowing that many municipalities are experiencing the same issues with e-bikes, Village of Whitehouse, Ohio Police Chief Allan Baer invited other area police chiefs to a brainstorming session on how to meet three shared goals: ensuring the safety of the kids on e-bikes; addressing the behavior without using the juvenile court system; and inducing parents to become more proactive in their children’s e-bike usage.
While the state legislature is currently looking at rules for e-bikes – a move that Baer said will provide consistency and guidance – the chiefs agree that working on a uniform set of ordinances for communities to put in place by spring is a priority.
Police chiefs Joe Valvano of Waterville, John Trejo of Swanton, Frederick Schnorr of Ottawa Hills, and James Piotrowski of Holland, along with law directors Paul Skaff, Austin Klapp, Kevin Heban and Law Clerk Christina Fuller discussed current regulations, what other municipalities have in place, and solutions that will work for smaller communities.
Read more about their discussion in AWFP reporter Karen Gerhardinger’s full free story here: https://toledofreepress.com/local-chiefs-brainstorm-on-e-bike-regulations/
IMAGE: Whitehouse Capt. Brad Baker, Ottawa Hills Police Chief Frederick Schnoor, Whitehouse Police Chief Allan Baer, Holland Police Chief James Piotrowski, Waterville Police Chief Joe Valvano and Waterville Police Lt. Austin Gunn at Whitehouse Village Hall. (AWFP photo by Karen Gerhardinger)