Hilliard will hold a public forum on e-bike and e-scooter rules Tuesday, Oct. 13. The session runs 6 to 7:30 p.m. at The Well (Alton Hall), 3993 Cosgray Road.

The city-hosted event will use small-table discussions to gather feedback on how micromobility devices are used in Hilliard and how to promote safe riding, according to the city's event page. Topics include acceptable and problematic rider behaviors, education strategies and whether additional regulations are needed.

The forum comes less than three weeks after Hilliard's e-bike ordinance took effect Sept. 23. City Council approved those rules 6-0 on Aug. 24, with Councilwoman Cynthia Vermillion absent. The ordinance requires riders under 18 to wear a helmet, prohibits Class 3 e-bikes from city shared-use paths and gives police authority to impound devices involved in violations. Exceptions to this include paths within or adjacent to a highway, or paths specifically authorized by the city. Parents of minors who recklessly permitting a child to violate the rules.

City Manager Josh Rauch signaled at the time that more was coming. "This ordinance is only step one," Rauch said at the Aug. 24 council meeting, as reported by the Hilliard Beacon. Councilman Andy Teater agreed at the same meeting, saying the initial rules did not go far enough.

When Rauch announced the forum date to council Sept. 17, he said it could generate ideas for local follow-up legislation and feed input to state lawmakers.

That state connection grew more concrete Oct. 7, when Sen. Bill DeMora, a Columbus Democrat, introduced Senate Bill 477. The bill would require helmets for riders of all ages, bar children under 14 from operating e-bikes or e-scooters and impose a $25 registration fee on Class 3 e-bikes, cleveland.com reported. Neither SB 477 nor its House companion is expected to receive a hearing until late November.

The city said it plans to compile feedback from the Oct. 13 forum and share it with regional partners and the Ohio Legislature, according to a city press release.

Hilliard's current rules also require riders to be at least 16 to operate a Class 3 e-bike. E-bikes may use sidewalks only with the motor off, and e-scooters are limited to streets posted at 25 mph or less, shared-use paths and sidewalks, according to WOSU.

The forum is open to all residents and community stakeholders. No registration has been announced.