09/24/2026
As the City of Perrysburg moves forward with new e-bike legislation, it is important to understand what the Police Division has been doing this summer to help keep pedestrians, riders, and motorists safe. The Police Division has been actively patrolling and responding to complaints about people riding electric dirt bikes (e-moto's). These devices are illegal everywhere in the City except on private property with the consent of the owner. Electric dirt bikes have motors greater than 750 watts and obtain speeds greater than what is permissible on a Class 1, 2, or 3 e-bike (20-28 mph).
The Police Division has also been proactively patrolling and responding to complaints about people riding recklessly in the roadway and disregarding traffic control devices. These are safety issues that have caused crashes in our City and neighboring communities. We have also worked with our local schools to help educate young riders on safe bicycle operation and explain which types of e-bikes are legal. Below are some guidelines from the new City legislation and existing State law concerning sidewalks, shared-use paths, and operation on roadways:
SIDEWALKS:
-Bicycles and Class 1, 2, and 3 e-bikes cannot be operated on sidewalks unless you are under age 15.
-If children under the age of 15 are riding on the sidewalk, they cannot use the motor and must ride on the right side of the sidewalk, obey street signs and sidewalk markings, yield the right-of-way to pedestrians, give an audible signal before passing a pedestrian, and dismount prior to entering any crosswalk to walk across the roadway.
-Bicycles, e-bikes, and skateboards cannot be ridden on the sidewalks in the 100, 200, and 300 blocks of Louisiana Avenue.
BICYCLE PATHS OR SHARED-USE PATHS:
-Bicycles and Class 1 and 2 e-bikes must use a bicycle path or shared-use path when the path is adjacent to the roadway. This is the safest place to ride and keeps sidewalks clear for pedestrians.
-Class 1 and 2 e-bikes must register with the Perrysburg Police Division to ride on the path. This will help identify which e-bikes are allowed on the path.
-Class 3 e-bikes, electric dirt bikes, electric mopeds, and motorized bicycles are prohibited on bicycle paths and shared-use paths.
-Ride on the right side of the path, obey path/street signs, yield the right-of-way to pedestrians, give an audible signal before passing a pedestrian, and dismount prior to entering any crosswalk to walk across the roadway.
STREETS:
-Class 3 e-bikes must be operated on the street.
-Must be age 16 or older to ride a Class 3 e-bike and wear a helmet.
-All traffic laws must be followed that pertain to bicycles (ex: speed, stop signs, signals, lights at night, right side of the road).
CITY PARKS:
-Bicycles and e-bikes are not permitted outside of the parking areas and shared-use paths on publicly owned lands.
REGISTRATION:
-Class 1 and 2 e-bikes must be registered with the Police Division before operating on bicycle paths or shared-use paths. This will help identify if the e-bike is permitted on the path, assist with e-bike education, and return an e-bike if it is lost or stolen.
-A helmet is required for children under the age of 18 when riding an e-bike.
-Registration is free.
-Registration is required for everyone (residents and non-residents).
-The registration form includes the owner information, e-bike manufacturer, description, and class.
-A registration tag will be placed on the frame of the e-bike in a visible location.
-When the online registration form is ready, we will notify citizens and assist with the registration process.
