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E-bikes, shared paths and the bike-rules ordinance (ORD 40-2025)

Ordinance 40-2025 would rewrite the city's rules for bicycles, e-bikes, e-scooters and shared use paths. Planning letter Council deferred it on Sept. 21, 2026, and President Kepple said a new substitute version will be proposed. minutes p. 2

Issue pages: ORD 40-2025 RES 2025-42

What was decided

No final vote has been taken on Ordinance 40-2025; Council deferred it on Sept. 21, 2026. minutes p. 2 ▶ 0:04:32

Oct. 20, 2025: Council adopted S. Resolution 2025-42, appointing the first members of the Complete and Active Streets Education & Advisory Board (CASE). minutes p. 1 ▶ 0:15:03

Nov. 17, 2025: Council referred Ordinance 40-2025 to the Housing, Planning & Development Committee and to the CASE board. minutes p. 9 ▶ 1:02:02

What the proposal says

The Planning Department's letter says the amendments add state-law definitions for “bikeway” and “shared use path” and update the definition of “motorized bicycle.” Planning letter

It raises the age for riding unsupervised in the roadway from 8 to 10 and adds a section on riding on bikeways and shared use paths that treats minors and adults differently. Planning letter

It removes an e-scooter speed limit for consistency with neighboring cities and makes the City responsible for maintaining designated shared use paths. Planning letter

The ordinance says the changes support the Active Transportation Plan and the Safe Streets for All Action Plan. ordinance

What's still pending

On Sept. 21, 2026, President Kepple said a new substitute ordinance will be proposed based on feedback from CASE and the Housing Committee. minutes p. 2

On Sept. 8, Vice President Baker noted that a possible speed limit still needs to be evaluated by Council. minutes p. 3

The debate

Nov. 17, 2025: President Kepple acknowledged the eComments submitted on the ordinance and invited public comment. minutes p. 9 eComments

A resident questioned how the ordinance defines “mobility device” and “bikeway,” saying the language leaves unclear where adult e-bike riders may ride. minutes p. 9

Vice President Baker called Ordinance 40-2025 a good start and said more work is needed so the final version is thoughtfully worded. minutes p. 9

Sept. 8, 2026: residents at public comment asked for an enforceable speed limit for e-bikes and scooters on the Bunts Road path, supported treating e-bikes as bicycles, and supported prohibiting “e-motos.” minutes p. 3 ▶ 0:18:13

President Kepple spoke about categorizing e-motos apart from other e-bikes, noted that the State has not yet regulated them, and voiced interest in a possible speed limit on shared use paths. minutes p. 3

Councilmember Bullock noted the elementary and middle schools' new policy prohibiting e-bikes on campus. minutes p. 3

What residents can do

Comment online on the ordinance through the City's eComment portal when it is on an agenda. eComments

Follow the CASE board, which Council created to advise on complete and active streets. resolution

Not in the public record we found

The new substitute version of Ordinance 40-2025 had not been posted in the Council records we pulled as of Oct. 13, 2026. issue page

Every meeting where it came up

1. Sep 21, 2026. City Council: Updates city code on bicycles and bike infrastructure. Outcome: Deferred. minutes ▶ 0:04:32 Meeting recap →
2. Sep 21, 2026. Housing, Planning, & Development Committee: Updates city code on bicycles and bike infrastructure. agenda ▶ 0:00:22 Meeting recap →
3. Sep 8, 2026. City Council: Report from Vice President Baker regarding September 1st meeting of the Complete & Active Streets Education &… Outcome: Received & filed. minutes ▶ 0:18:13 Meeting recap →
4. Jul 6, 2026. Housing, Planning & Development: Communication from Assistant Planning Director Bass regarding Proposed Code Amendments (Chapters 301, 373… minutes ▶ 0:00:27 Meeting recap →
5. Jul 6, 2026. Housing, Planning & Development: Updates city code on bicycles and bike infrastructure. minutes Meeting recap →
6. Dec 1, 2025. City Council: Updates city code on bicycles and bike infrastructure. Outcome: Deferred. minutes ▶ 0:06:40 Meeting recap →
7. Nov 17, 2025. City Council: Code changes proposed for bike paths and e-bikes. Outcome: Referred. minutes ▶ 0:58:09 Meeting recap →
8. Nov 17, 2025. City Council: Updates city code on bicycles and bike infrastructure. Outcome: Referred. minutes ▶ 1:02:02 Meeting recap →
9. Oct 20, 2025. City Council: First members of the Complete and Active Streets board. Outcome: Adopted. minutes ▶ 0:15:03 Meeting recap →

News coverage

• Lakewood cyclists asked to weigh in on city’s bike infrastructure Cleveland.com, Aug 12

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