Team Springfield launches e-moto education campaign

The City of Springfield has seen an increase in e-moto use along with community concerns about unsafe riding. The City of Springfield’s Development and Public Works Department and Springfield Police Department, Willamalane Park and Recreation District and Springfield Public Schools are working together to educate riders, parents and families about e-motos and where they can legally be ridden.

The campaign will help community members understand the difference between legal e-bikes and e-motos, which can look similar but do not meet Oregon’s definition of an electric-assisted bicycle.

E-motos cannot be ridden on public streets, sidewalks, paths or other public areas in Springfield. They are intended for use on private property.

“E-motos can look a lot like e-bikes, making it difficult for families to know what they are buying,” said Emma Newman, Transportation Planning Manager of the City of Springfield Development and Public Works Department. “We want to give riders and parents clear information so they can understand the difference and make informed decisions. If a device can go over 20 mph propelled by a throttle, it is an e-moto, not an e-bike, even if it has pedals. E-motos are motorcycles. Motorcycles must be licensed and insured to be ridden on public streets, and they are not allowed on paths.”

The campaign includes a new educational handout that outlines the differences among the three classes of legal e-bikes and e-motos. All legal e-bikes have fully functional pedals, but the classes differ in how the motor provides assistance and how fast they can travel:

Oregon E-Bike Classes

• Class 1 e-bikes: Pedal-assist only, up to 20 mph.
• Class 2 e-bikes: Can use a throttle without pedaling, up to 20 mph.
• Class 3 e-bikes: Pedal-assist only, up to 28 mph, and must have a speedometer.

If a vehicle can travel more than 20 mph using a throttle, it is not an e-bike. It is an e-moto, even if it has pedals. E-motos can look like e-bikes and are sometimes sold as e-bikes.

The City will share the materials online, through social media and newsletters, at community events and when police officers encounter people riding e-motos in public areas. Springfield Public Schools will share the information with students and families, while Willamalane will distribute the materials at community events and when park rangers encounter e-moto riders. The campaign focuses on education, helping riders understand the rules and supporting safe use of Springfield’s public spaces.

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

– George Crolly, Deputy Chief, Springfield Police Department

Anyone considering an e-bike should learn about Oregon’s e-bike classifications before buying. Some vehicles marketed as e-bikes do not meet Oregon’s legal definition of an e-bike.

Learn more and view the e-bike and e-moto educational materials here.

About Team Springfield
Team Springfield is a partnership between four Springfield organizations, the City of Springfield, Springfield Public Schools, Springfield Utility Board, and Willamalane Park and Recreation District. Together, these partners collaborate to enhance the quality of life in Springfield by regularly sharing ideas and resources to create projects that benefit the community.