Martins Ferry steps up E-Bike enforcement amid growing safety concerns

MARTINS FERRY -- The Martins Ferry Police Department is increasing enforcement of laws governing electric bicycles, motorized bicycles and powered scooters after receiving a growing number of complaints about unsafe riding throughout the city.

In a letter to residents this month, Police Chief Vincent L. West said the department has seen a significant increase in reports involving riders failing to stop at stop signs, ignoring traffic signals, traveling at excessive speeds, operating on sidewalks and engaging in reckless behavior that endangers pedestrians and motorists.

Effective immediately, police officers will actively enforce applicable provisions of the Ohio Revised Code and Martins Ferry ordinances related to bicycles, electric bicycles, motorized bicycles and powered scooters.

The enforcement initiative follows action taken by city officials to address growing concerns surrounding e-bikes and scooters. In May, West asked Martins Ferry City Council to update the city’s ordinances governing electric bicycles and similar devices to better align local regulations with Ohio law and provide police with clearer enforcement authority. The request came amid increasing complaints from residents about unsafe riding practices on city streets, sidewalks and public property.

The local crackdown comes as e-bike-related injuries and fatalities continue to rise nationwide. According to data compiled by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and reported by Outside magazine, 533 micromobility fatalities involving e-bikes and e-scooters were recorded between 2017 and 2024. E-bike deaths alone increased from none reported in 2017 to 97 in 2024. Medical experts have warned that severe head injuries are becoming more common, often due to riders not wearing helmets and the higher speeds many electric bicycles can reach.

The dangers associated with reckless riding have been highlighted by several recent high-profile crashes. Last week, two teenagers were killed in separate e-bike accidents in New Jersey, including 16-year-old Chase Sudano, a New Jersey state wrestling standout who competed with Pennsylvania’s elite River Wrestling Club. Sundano died after the e-bike he was riding collided with a UPS truck. The day after Sudano’s fatal accident, a 13-year-old boy in Florida died after colliding with a landscaping truck and a 15-year-old boy was killed while riding an electric bike after being struck by a vehicle California.

The increasing safety concerns surrounding e-bikes have also drawn attention from Ohio lawmakers. On June 3, state Reps. Andrea White, R-Kettering, and Kevin Miller, R-Newark, introduced House Bill 948, legislation designed to increase safety and public awareness surrounding e-bikes, electric motorcycles and similar vehicles.

The proposed legislation would create a statewide public education campaign and require the Ohio Department of Public Safety to study e-bike regulations, classifications and safety concerns before making recommendations to the governor and General Assembly.

Among its provisions, the bill would require driver’s education courses and licensing exams to include instruction on sharing the road with bicyclists and e-bike riders, require e-bike retailers to provide safety information to purchasers, and direct state officials to review whether Ohio’s existing laws adequately address modern electric bicycles, scooters, mini-bikes and similar vehicles. The legislation also would examine whether additional training or safety requirements should be considered for operators of higher-speed Class 3 e-bikes.

Supporters of the bill say it is intended to address growing concerns among parents, law enforcement agencies, local officials and health care providers about the rising number of e-bike-related injuries and crashes. Those concerns, according to law enforcement, are already being reflected in the types of violations officers are seeing on local roads and sidewalks.

West’s letter outlines several violations that will be subject to enforcement, including failure to stop at stop signs, failure to obey traffic control devices, failure to yield the right of way, reckless operation, riding against traffic, operating at night without required lighting and operating an electric bicycle on a sidewalk while its motor is engaged.

West warned that riders who ignore traffic laws place themselves and others at risk of serious injury or death.

Additionally, Ohio law establishes classifications for electric bicycles. Operators of Class 3 e-bikes must be at least 16 years old, and both operators and passengers are required to wear approved helmets.

Parents and guardians also may face consequences if juveniles are permitted to operate electric bicycles, scooters or other motorized devices in violation of state law or city ordinances.

Under the department’s enforcement procedures, adults may receive citations directing them to Martins Ferry Mayor’s Court or another court with jurisdiction. Officers also may impound a vehicle or device when a violation creates a public safety hazard and impoundment is authorized by law.

For juvenile offenders, police will notify parents or legal guardians and maintain documentation of violations. Repeat offenses could result in charges being filed in Belmont County Juvenile Court. Devices may also be impounded and released only to a parent or guardian after applicable fees and procedures are satisfied.

“The Martins Ferry Police Department’s primary goal is voluntary compliance and public safety,” West wrote. “However, the reckless operation of electric bicycles, powered scooters, and similar devices places the operator, pedestrians, and motorists at risk of serious injury or death.”

West encouraged residents to familiarize themselves with Ohio law, Martins Ferry ordinances and all applicable traffic regulations before operating e-bikes, scooters and similar devices on public streets and roadways.