NEWBERG, Ore. — With warmer weather drawing more residents onto bikes, e-bikes, and electric scooters, local police say the rules around those devices have become a source of community confusion — and, in some cases, safety concern.
“We know the rules can be confusing and are hoping for better legislation to simplify it all,” the Newberg-Dundee Police Department said in a recent social media post. “In the meantime, we are making a plea for common-sense safety practices above all else.”
The department said officers have made contact with children — and their parents — after observing kids operating high-powered devices in traffic.
“We are seeing kids who are essentially operating mini-motorcycles out on the roadways among vehicle traffic,” the post said. “This is very dangerous.”
Bikes on Sidewalks
Under Oregon law, bicyclists are generally allowed to ride on sidewalks unless a local ordinance says otherwise. In Newberg, that exception applies to downtown.
Under Newberg Municipal Code 10.20.030, riding a bicycle — or any similar device, including scooters, skateboards, roller skates, and unicycles — is prohibited on any sidewalk or city property in the downtown commercial area. The code defines that zone as the blocks between River Street on the east, Main Street on the west, Hancock Street on the north, and Second Street on the south.
Outside of those areas, cyclists can generally use sidewalks — but not without responsibility. Oregon law (ORS 814.410) requires sidewalk cyclists to yield to pedestrians, give an audible signal before passing someone from behind, and slow to walking speed when approaching a crosswalk, driveway, or curb cut if a motor vehicle is approaching.
Darting off the sidewalk and into the path of an oncoming car is also a violation.
E-Bikes: A Separate Set of Rules
Electric-assist bicycles — e-bikes — follow a different set of rules than conventional bikes, and the sidewalk question has a straightforward answer: e-bikes are not allowed on sidewalks anywhere in Oregon, under state law (ORS 814.410).
Oregon law recognizes three classes of e-bikes, all of which are treated as bicycles under the vehicle code rather than motor vehicles:
- Class 1: Pedal-assist only; motor cuts off at 20 mph.
- Class 2: Throttle-assist; motor cuts off at 20 mph.
- Class 3: Pedal-assist only; motor cuts off at 28 mph; must have a speedometer.
No driver’s license, vehicle registration, or insurance is required to operate any class of e-bike in Oregon. Riders must be at least 16 years old. E-bikes are permitted in designated bicycle lanes, on multi-use paths, and in the travel lane when no bike lane is available.
State law does not require e-bike riders to wear a helmet, though the Oregon Department of Transportation recommends it. Conventional bicyclists under the age of 16 are required by state law to wear a helmet.
Gas-powered bicycles are classified as mopeds under Oregon law and carry a separate, more restrictive set of requirements — including registration, insurance, and a driver’s license.
Motor-Assisted Scooters
Motor-assisted scooters — electric scooters with a seat or foot platform, capable of up to 24 mph — are a distinct category under Oregon law and carry their own rules. Riders must be at least 16, may not exceed 15 mph, must wear a helmet, and may not carry passengers.
Motor-assisted scooters are generally required to use a bicycle lane or path when one is available, and riders must walk the scooter through crosswalks. They may ride on sidewalks only to enter or exit adjacent property — not for general travel.
The NDPD has indicated some of the devices prompting community concern may fall into this or related categories. Parents unsure about a particular device are encouraged to consult the Oregon Department of Transportation’s Micromobility Guide, which outlines rules for bicycles, e-bikes, scooters, mopeds, and other devices side by side.
Lights After Dark
Whether on a conventional bike or e-bike, Newberg’s municipal code requires proper lighting for riding after dark.
Under NMC 10.20.080, no rider may operate a regulated device on a street or sidewalk between one hour after sunset and one hour before sunrise without a white front light visible from at least 500 feet and a red rear reflector visible from at least 600 feet. The ODOT guide similarly requires approved lighting for any device operated in limited-visibility conditions.
Other Rules to Know
Newberg’s bicycle ordinance also covers several rules that are easy to overlook:
- No doubling up. Only one person per bicycle unless the bike is equipped with a passenger seat designed for multiple riders.
- No grabbing moving vehicles. Attaching yourself or your bike to a moving vehicle on a public street is prohibited.
- Yield to police. Riders must comply with lawful orders from police officers. Failure to do so can result in seizure of the bike or device. For riders under 18, a parent or guardian must retrieve the device from the police department within 10 days.
Violations of Newberg’s bicycle ordinance can result in a fine of up to $500.
Residents with questions about bicycle and micromobility rules in Newberg can contact the Newberg-Dundee Police Department or consult the Oregon Department of Transportation’s Micromobility Guide.
