Dover, Ohio has made a new set of rules for e-scooters located in Ordinance 24-25. As an owner of an e-scooter myself, I understand that some of these rules are just common sense, while others are somewhat questionable. Overall, I can understand and see where they are coming from.
One of these rules is that e-scooters cannot be used on roads higher than 35 mph, and cannot go faster than 20 mph. This is logical. A vehicle that has a maximum 20 miles per hour does not belong on a 55 miles per hour road. The slow ride could potentially easily get hit since it cannot keep up with traffic on the road.
As a rider myself, I understand that higher speeds are more dangerous. My scooter maxes out at 15.5 miles an hour, and I prefer it that way. I have fallen off my scooter at full speed once. I did not break anything, although I could have been more seriously injured if I had been going at a higher speed. Many e-scooters also have limited batteries. For example, my scooter can only go about 12 miles before running out of battery. The speed limit rule mainly affects people who have bigger batteries and scooters that can run at higher speeds. These scooters are more dangerous to fall off of or crash.
Another rule is that riders under 18 must wear a helmet. Obviously, the rule with most 2-wheeled rides is to wear a helmet. Bicycles, motorcycles, and normal scooters all require the rider to wear a helmet for safety. A helmet protects the head from potentially fatal damage. It could save a life. While I understand that it is that one annoying thing that is easy to forget, it could save a rider from a trip to the hospital.
Other basic safety rules include riders must stand on the standing board while riding, one person per scooter, at least one hand must be on the handlebars at once, and riders must ride safely.
While I can imagine there are ways to be on the scooter without standing on the standing board, how is anyone able to do so on a moving motorized vehicle? It is difficult to keep balance on a speedy scooter without riding it properly. I imagine that any other way would cause someone to fall off or crash. What on earth caused this rule to even exist? Does it really have to be written down? This should be common sense.
The other two specific rules are pretty understandable. While it may be possible to have more than one person on a scooter or have no hands on the handlebars, it is much harder to ride this way. Both often result in a weight imbalance, causing a crash. It is hard enough trying to balance a scooter. Two people make it twice as hard. I have tried to ride with one or fewer hands on the handlebars, and it usually ends badly. I personally advise just keeping both hands on the handlebars for the sake of balance, and against wearing hats that can easily fly off while riding. Whenever I take my hand off of one handlebar, my balance is off, and I am much more likely to fall.
Back to the rules, riders must yield to pedestrians and give audible signals. Communication is key when it comes to any type of moving vehicle. It prevents someone from making a wrong move and causing a crash.
Whenever any fast-moving vehicles are near pedestrians, the vehicle should always slow down and be cautious just in case a pedestrian makes an unexpected move or does not see the vehicle. This scenario includes scooters. The fast-moving vehicle should always watch out for slower-moving traffic. If a car has to slow down when near pedestrians or a bicycle, an e-scooter rider should also slow down for pedestrians. This is an unwritten rule that should be acknowledged by all riders. It is a safety measure that allows everyone to ride safely. In the same way riders should be careful around slow traffic, they should also be wary of fast traffic. One of the most important unspoken rules of the road is never trust that another driver has your best interests in mind. This all corresponds to the rule of riding safely. To those who already know this, take this as a reminder of how to ride safely on the road.
Another law is that a front light and rear deflector are required at night. This is one of the most reasonable rules that exists. If a car or pedestrian cannot see you, it could end badly for the rider or someone else. It is another basic safety rule.
Now comes the laws that are more complicated. First, another law that was posted was that scooter riders cannot weave or zigzag, and must have ordinary control over the scooter. There is one small thing that is off about these two rules: new riders. New, inexperienced riders may struggle a bit to gain control of the scooter compared to others. There may be weaving and zigzagging until the rider has the e-scooter under control. While driveways are a nice place to practice, there are not a lot of places to practice control over the scooter. Even though riders should drive responsibly, everyone has to start out somewhere. Anyone can wear a helmet or make sure that the scooter has all of the reflectors and lights on it. Most people are able to understand the rules and how to ride responsibly. However, not everyone is able to simply hop on an electric scooter and have complete and total control over it. It can take time to learn. Even those on the road may not fully have the hang of it, but for the most part, they can control it. It is important to understand the responsibility of being a safe rider, but it is also important to give grace to those still getting started.
The rest of the rules are the more restrictive ones, especially the last one. In the park, riders can only use motor on Pool Road. Everywhere else scooters must be walked or pushed. Riders must be at least 16 years old. E-scooters are prohibited on sidewalks on 3rd street or other businesses in the downtown area.
Whenever there is an age law, it is difficult to understand. What is the difference between someone who just turned 16 and someone who is a day too young? What defines the difference between someone who is a few weeks away from being 16 to someone who is 10 years away from 16? Does someone automatically turn the next year old at midnight of that day, or the exact hour someone is born? I feel this law lacks clarity. Just because someone is old enough to do something does not mean that person is physically and mentally capable of doing it. If parents compare putting a 3-year-old on a scooter to a 14-year-old, a responsible parent would probably trust the 14 year old more. What really defines being 16 anyway?
I understand keeping scooters off the sidewalk to keep foot traffic. This is why they are not allowed on a busy sidewalk that is on 3rd Street. which is the reason that the park rule exists. Someone could get run over by a fast-moving scooter. By the time the scooter is seen, it may be too late. It is common knowledge that wherever cars can be, you have to watch out for any type of vehicle, unlike on the sidewalk. If someone were to drive around a playground at ten miles per hour, someone is bound to get hit. These scooters go about as fast as vehicles do in the park, so it makes sense.
For those who do not know, these are the rules from Ordinance 24-25, which is posted on Dover City’s webpage. More specifics are posted there, such as the penalties for breaking these laws. Any other rules not stated in this article are likely not from Ordinance 24-25. It is important to check the validity of a rule before following it. A way to check validity is by asking where in the law a rule is sourced from. This prevents misinformation and unnecessary confusion. That is all for now. I hope this information helped clarify some uncertainty about the new e-scooter rules. While I may not understand all of them, I understand that they exist for a reason, mainly responsibility and safety. Safe travels for all e-scooter riders, and to anyone else who drives or rides a slow-moving vehicle!
Link to Dover’s webpage: https://www.doverohio.com/?action=search.view&query=Ordinance+24-25
