QuickTake:

If an electrified bike goes faster than 20 mph using just a throttle, it’s classified as an e-moto. E-motos are not allowed to be ridden on public streets, sidewalks or paths in Springfield.

Springfield officials are working together to inform community members about the differences between e-bikes and e-motos. 

E-motos can look similar to e-bikes but do not meet Oregon’s definition of an electric-assisted bicycle, according to a news release from the city’s Development and Public Works Department, which is working with the Springfield Police Department, Willamalane Park and Recreation District, and Springfield Public Schools on the campaign. 

The release says the city has seen an increase in e-moto use and community concerns about unsafe riding.

During a recent City Council meeting, Councilor Alan Stout brought up e-bikes.

“I know that our police chief does a great job looking at e-bikes and also the speed and where they are operating,” he said. “But I just want us all to be aware about how it is a bit more pernicious than we might think, and that it is causing upsets to many of our neighbors, many of our friends, and a lot of people have very justly raised safety concerns about e-bikes.”

Oregon has three classifications of e-bikes. But any bike goes faster than 20 mph with a throttle it’s an e-moto. E-motos are not allowed to be ridden on public streets, sidewalks or paths in Springfield.

The campaign includes a handout about the three e-bike classifications and e-motos, which the city will share online, in newsletters and at community events.

Schools will share the information with students and families and Willamalane park rangers will hand out the materials when they encounter e-moto riders. Police will also distribute the information.

“We’ve seen more young people riding these vehicles, and we want to ensure they understand the rules before someone gets hurt,” Springfield Police Deputy Chief George Crolly said in the news release. “When officers encounter e-moto riders, we’ll use those interactions to educate them about where these vehicles can and cannot be ridden.”

The Eugene Police Department in June said it would start tracking e-bike complaints with a new reporting tool to pinpoint locations where illegal behavior is happening.