Ohio Bill Would Bar Riders Under 14 From E-Bikes, Require Helmets and $25 Registration

Ohio could become the latest state to rewrite its e-bike rules. Senate Bill 477, introduced by Sen. Bill DeMora (D-Columbus), would bar children under 14 from riding e-bikes and e-scooters, require helmets on every e-bike, and make owners register their e-bikes with the state for $25. The Ohio Capital Journal reported on the bill on October 12, 2026; Rep. Eric Synenberg (D-Beachwood) plans to introduce his own House bill in the coming weeks.

"We are not trying to prevent Ohioans from using e-bikes and e-scooters," Synenberg told the Capital Journal. "Our goal is to make sure that riders understand the rules and risks before they ride."

What SB 477 would do (as introduced)

Minimum age 14. No one under 14 could operate an e-bike or a low-speed micromobility device such as an e-scooter. Riders who are 14 or 15 could not operate a Class 3 e-bike.

Helmets on all e-bikes. Today Ohio requires helmets on Class 3 e-bikes. The bill would require every e-bike rider and passenger to wear a helmet meeting CPSC or ASTM standards.

Passenger and rental limits. Riders under 18 could not carry a passenger; riders aged 18 to 20 could not carry a passenger under 12; and no one under 18 could rent an e-bike.

$25 registration. Starting six months after the law takes effect, e-bikes and e-scooters used on public roads would need a state registration, with a sticker on the head tube. Owners would need a driver's license or proof of a state-approved e-device safety course. Riding unregistered would be a minor misdemeanor, and repeat offenders could have the bike impounded for up to 30 days. Rental and sharing businesses would not have to list riders or show rider licenses when registering.

Speed limits off the road. E-bikes would be limited to 10 mph with the motor engaged on shared-use paths, and e-scooters to 10 mph on paths and 5 mph on sidewalks.

Why lawmakers say it's needed

The Capital Journal reports that children aged 11 to 14 made up nearly 40% of all pediatric injuries related to e-bikes and scooters nationwide, citing CPSC data. DeMora said Akron Children's Hospital had already passed its 2025 total of e-bike and e-scooter injuries by mid-July. "Current law has no (age) limit for the Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes," Synenberg said. "A six-year-old could be riding one."

Where it stands

SB 477 has been introduced in the Ohio Senate and, as of October 12, 2026, had not passed either chamber. Lawmakers are on break until after the November election, and any bill that does not pass before the two-year General Assembly ends in December would have to be reintroduced. "In lame duck, all things are possible," DeMora said. Nothing in SB 477 is law yet.

Why riders everywhere should pay attention

States keep redrawing the lines. Ohio's proposal follows a year of state action on e-bike rules, from California's new e-bike vs. e-moto law to Virginia's proposed new vehicle class (see our coverage below).

Age limits are reaching Class 1 and 2. Ohio's bill, like California's new San Mateo County pilot, looks at young riders on Class 1 and 2 e-bikes, not just Class 3.

Helmets are a simple win. Whatever your state requires, a properly fitted, certified helmet is the easiest safety upgrade you can make.

The e-bike pros' take

Know your class. Check the class label on your bike. Age, helmet and path rules often depend on it.

Fit a certified helmet. Look for a CPSC-certified helmet that fits snugly and sits level.

Watch your state capitol. If you ride in Ohio, follow SB 477 and the House companion bill, and share your view with your legislators.

Need a helmet? See e-bike–rated helmet picks on ElectricBikes.com below.

More e-bike law news: California Clarifies E-Bike vs E-Moto Rules Under New Newsom-Signed Laws · CPSC Sets Oct. 21 Hearing on Proposed E-Bike Battery Safety Rule · Michigan Bill Would Require UL-Certified E-Bike Batteries and Systems From 2027 · Virginia Bill Would Create a 'Motorized Mobility Vehicle' Class After Loudoun Reports More Than 120 Kids' E-Bike ER Visits in 2026

Photo: the Ohio Statehouse in Columbus, by puroticorico via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0). Illustration of the Ohio legislature; not a product endorsement.