City issues reminder on e-bike laws

HURON — As the weather shifts to more spring-like conditions, more people are going outside to walk, bike, exercise, explore and enjoy Huron. With the popularity of e-bikes and e-scooters exploding over recent years, there has been a considerable amount of concern for safety and confusion over the rules of the road. Per state law, Class 1 e-bikes are considered as follows: • Class 1 often includes mountain bikes, townies, low-end commuters, and hybrids • They're pedal-assist only. • The maximum speed is 20 mph with a maximum motor of one horsepower. • They're permitted on shared-use paths and bike lanes. • They're permitted on sidewalks only when not using the motor Follow the rules The Huron Police Department would like to remind residents: • All modes of transportation — including traditional pedal-push bicycles, scooters, e-bikes and e-scooters — are required to obey all traffic laws when traveling on city streets. • Operators of these modes must: — Obey all traffic signals and signs — Use hand signals for turns — Ride in the same direction as traffic — Use bike lanes when available • Bicycles, scooters, e-bikes — excluding Class 3 e-bikes — and e-scooters are permitted to travel on the sidewalks, however, e-bikes and e-scooters may only do so under push power and not in pedal-assist or throttle mode. • All riders of bicycles, scooters, e-bikes and e-scooters are highly encouraged to wear helmets. • When traveling in crowded areas or passing pedestrians, use extra caution. Huron police's school resource officer, Brian Clayman, has been working with the youth of Huron to help educate them on the rules of the road. As parents, neighbors and friends, please help reinforce these rules to ensure everyone enjoys their time outside walking, biking, exercising, exploring and enjoying Huron safely.