Johnson County and the Mid-America Regional Council (MARC) released a model policy Aug. 25 that aims to standardize e-bike, e-scooter and electric motorbike rules across the Kansas City metro.
The policy gives cities a ready-made ordinance template covering where each device type can operate, speed limits on sidewalks and trails, helmet requirements for riders under 18, age restrictions for certain devices and right-of-way rules for pedestrians. It comes in two versions, one for Kansas and one for Missouri. Each version matches its state's existing model traffic ordinances.
"80% ready to support adoption of the model policy in their municipality as it is currently written; 20% were unsure," Mel Hudelson, Johnson County Department of Health and Environment (JCDHE) Community Health Division director, said of workshop participants polled at the most recent workshop.
The effort began in January 2026 after an initial convening highlighted a patchwork of local regulations. A MARC white paper presented at the council's April 28 board meeting found that cities differed on e-bike definitions, whether e-scooters could operate on streets and what devices were allowed on trails. The paper also concluded that electric motorbikes, or e-motos, were being confused with e-bikes and should be regulated as motor vehicles.
Local municipalities provided feedback across multiple workshops to shape the final document, according to a Johnson County government announcement.
What Olathe already has on the books
Olathe adopted its own e-mobility ordinance on Wednesday, April 22, four months before the regional model policy dropped. Under that ordinance, anyone under 18 must wear a helmet on an e-bike or e-scooter. Both device types are allowed on sidewalks at up to 15 mph. An e-bike without pedal assistance is classified as a motorcycle, requiring a license at age 16. Violations carry fines up to $500, FOX4 reported.
The city does not generally prohibit e-bikes or e-scooters on Olathe trails, though county or private trails may have different rules.
No adoption vote has been announced. Whether Olathe plans to amend its ordinance to align with the new regional model is not yet clear.
Neighboring cities' current rules
Lenexa allows Class 1 e-bikes on streets, sidewalks, parks and recreational trails under the same rules as traditional bicycles, according to a Kansas Legislative Research Department memo. E-scooters in Lenexa are limited to streets with speed limits under 25 mph, sidewalks and trails, with a 15 mph motor cap.
Johnson County Parks and Recreation allows Class 1 and Class 3 e-bikes on shared-use paved trails but bans Class 2 devices. Class 1 and 3 motors assist only when the rider pedals; Class 2 motors can propel the bike without pedaling.
What comes next
JCDHE is building a companion website with safety information to accompany the model policy. The full text is available on Johnson County's website.
JCDHE said individual cities can adapt the template to fit their communities. Charlie Hunt, JCDHE director, said the goal is "consistency from city to city."
