07/15/2026
🚔 PUBLIC SAFETY ANNOUNCEMENT 🚔
Micromobility Safety Starts with Knowing the Rules 🛴🚲🛵🏍️
Your Hermiston Police Department has seen an increase in the use of e-bikes, scooters, mopeds, and other small motorized vehicles by both adults and children. While these vehicles may look similar, each has different laws and safety requirements. Whether you're riding to school, work, or around the neighborhood, knowing the rules helps protect you and everyone else on the road.
Here are a few important reminders:
🚲 Bicycles
• Riders under 16 years old must wear a helmet.
• Bicycles may use bike lanes and sidewalks, but riders must yield to pedestrians and give an audible warning before passing.
• Use lights when riding during limited visibility.
⚡ E-Bikes
• Riders must be at least 16 years old.
• E-bikes are not permitted on sidewalks.
• Front and rear lights are required when riding during limited visibility.
🛴 Motor-Assisted Scooters
• Riders must be at least 16 years old.
• Maximum operating speed is 15 mph.
• Helmets are required.
• No passengers are allowed.
• Riders should use bike lanes where required and walk the scooter through crosswalks.
🛵 Mopeds
• Require a valid driver license, registration, and insurance.
• A DOT-approved motorcycle helmet is required.
• No passengers.
• Headlights must be on whenever the moped is being operated.
🏍️ Pocket Bikes & Mini Motorcycles
These vehicles are not legal to operate on public streets, highways, sidewalks, or parking lots that are open to the public. They may only be ridden on private property with the property owner's permission.
Remember, just because a vehicle is small doesn't mean the laws are the same. Taking a few minutes to learn the rules can help prevent crashes, injuries, and costly citations.
The Oregon Department of Transportation has created an easy-to-read guide covering bicycles, e-bikes, scooters, mopeds, mini motorcycles, and other micromobility devices. Information for downloading the guide can be found below.
Let's all do our part to keep Hermiston's streets safe. Ride smart, wear the proper safety equipment, and look out for one another.
