The Joy of Summer on Two Wheels (and Hopefully Four Someday)

A couple of summers ago, I was lucky enough to have a golf cart here in Loveland. I can’t overstate how much it changed my summer.

I could drive it from my neighborhood all the way downtown. I’d take the kids to practices and camps, run errands, grab dinner, or just cruise through town. It made every trip feel like part of the fun instead of just another drive. There was something about being outside, waving to neighbors, and actually experiencing the community instead of just passing through it behind a windshield. It honestly felt like being on vacation all summer long.

I’ve been hoping Loveland might someday allow golf carts on our streets, but we’re not there yet. So for now, I may have to settle for an electric bike.

I don’t have one yet, but both of my boys do. My older son rides an e-bike, and my younger son has an electric scooter. Chances are you’ve seen them—and many other kids—cruising around downtown Loveland all summer.

And I love it.

Watching these groups of kids reminds me of growing up in Delhi in the 1980s, riding my Mongoose bicycle all over the neighborhood and township. We’d disappear for hours, explore wherever our wheels took us, and somehow always make it home before dark. Those adventures are some of my favorite childhood memories, and it’s great to see today’s kids creating memories of their own.

Ben from Cappy’s even gave my boys and their friends a nickname—the “Pokémon Mafia.” They’ll roll into Cappy’s on their bikes, check out the Pokémon cards, hang out for a while, and then head off on their next adventure. It’s exactly the kind of small-town summer that makes Loveland special.

CJ- ‘Pokémon Mafia’ Member

It’s not just the kids, either.

More and more of my friends have e-bikes now. They’re riding to the pool, visiting friends, grabbing dinner downtown, or just enjoying a beautiful evening. There’s something different about seeing people out on bikes. You wave. You stop and talk. You feel connected to your town in a way that’s hard to describe. I think that’s part of what makes communities stronger.

As much as I love seeing this trend grow, it also comes with responsibility.

Just this week, many of us saw the frightening accident at the corner by Lemons and Limes Boutique. A vehicle lost control and crashed into the entrance of the building. We later learned that only moments before, several people had been standing in that exact spot.

Thankfully, no one was hurt.

It was also a reminder that whether we’re driving a car, riding a bike, or crossing the street, things can change in an instant. Defensive riding isn’t just a good idea—it’s essential.

With more electric bikes and scooters on our streets than ever before, it’s a good time for all of us—parents, kids, and adults alike—to understand Ohio’s laws and the differences between the various types of e-bikes. Knowing where they’re allowed, who can ride them, and what safety equipment is required helps everyone enjoy them responsibly.

We’ve put together the infographic below as a quick guide to Ohio’s current e-bike and e-scooter laws. Take a minute to look it over, especially if you have kids riding around town this summer.

The more people who know the rules, the safer our streets will be.

Have fun. Explore. Wave to your neighbors. Make some memories. And maybe someday… we’ll all be waving from golf carts, too.

Stay safe out there, Loveland.