Question: Why are people allowed to ride electric bicycles on the B&O trail? They go very fast and a danger to people walking for most don’t give signals when passing. The sign says “No Motor Vehicles.“
RICHLAND COUNTY — Jordan Tackett will be the first to tell you rapid advancements in e-bike technology make regulating the vehicles more difficult on the Richland B&O Bike Trail.
But the current rules remain in place. Only Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes are allowed on the 18-mile trail that connects Mansfield and Butler.
Class 1 and Class 2 electric bikes are both capped at a maximum assisted speed of 20 miles per hour and use motors of 750 watts or less.
The defining difference is that Class 1 relies solely on pedal-assist, while Class 2 includes a throttle that allows the bike to move without pedaling.
E-bike sales and participation have surged dramatically in recent years around the country, according to industry reports. Traditional cyclists, runners/walkers and hikers may feeling endangered by silent, fast-approaching riders on e-bikes.
“It’s a nationwide issue, trying to figure out how to regulate the new e-motos being invented and developed that kind of fall into gray areas or outside of regulated categories,” the executive director of the Richland County Park District said.
“What we’re seeing right now is a nationwide issue where park districts and municipalities are trying to figure out how to regulate all of these new things that have been invented,” he said.
“We are developing policies to regulate some of these new things, but as it currently stands, only Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes are allowed on on the trail,” Tackett said.
The parks director said complaints have increased in the last couple of years about e-bikes.
“I would say there has been an uptick in complaints, over the past two years or so, as more of these new vehicles are released that people are using. I would not say it’s frequent. We get maybe a couple of complaints every month or so. But there has been a slight uptake in the last couple of years,” Tackett said.
Enforcement of the rules can be difficult on the winding trail that connects four communities but is often passing through rural areas.
“Currently we do not have any rangers working for the park district,” he said. “We are working with law enforcement agencies on the development of a plan.
“Some of our policies in the future could be Mansfield police patrolling the Mansfield corridor of the trail and we’re also talking to law enforcement about the others as well,” Tackett said.
In the interim, what should a B&O Bike Trail user do if they encounter an e-bike they believe is in violation of the rules?
“Currently, until we have an agreement with local law enforcement for those violations, they can email the district at rcpd@richlandcountyoh.gov or call us at 419-884-3764,” Tackett said.
He encouraged all trail users to demonstrate trail etiquette.
“Everybody should be following trail etiquette, no matter whether you’re on foot or whatever kind of vehicle you’re on.
“If you’re going to be passing anybody, warn people from behind. Say, ‘Passing on the left.’ Don’t use excessive speeds. Stay on the right side of the trail unless you’re passing.
“All of the basic trail etiquette things should be followed by every trail user,” Tackett said.
He said the RCPD has plans to update the signs on the trail, which do presently read “No Motor Vehicles.”
“We are going to be updating the signs and adding kiosks to some of the trailheads to provide some more information about the policy about e-bikes and also trail etiquette as well.
“That is something that is coming, but it is not in place yet.”
