Improving the Wasson Way Experience with the Visitor Safety Program

We are delighted to see more people enjoying the Wasson Way. Our goal is to help ensure that every visitor has a safe, welcoming, and enjoyable experience on the trail.

To support safe and courteous use, we have implemented a new Visitor Safety Program, which includes the Wasson Way Ambassador Program led by on-site, service-oriented volunteers, engagement with the Cincinnati Police Department for trail patrols, and posted signs that reference applicable local and state ordinances.

Wasson Way Ambassadors

Wasson Way is establishing an Ambassador Program to improve the overall visitor experience. The program is modeled after the work of the Friends of the Little Miami State Park (FLMSP), an all-volunteer, nonprofit organization dedicated to maintaining and enhancing the 50-mile Little Miami Scenic Trail. We acknowledge and appreciate their approval to adapt elements of their trail Sentinel program.

Wasson Way Ambassadors will be a team of volunteers who enhance the visitor experience and support trail safety by patrolling the trail to identify hazards such as debris, dangerous intersections, fallen limbs, and other unsafe conditions. They will communicate safety concerns to representatives of the City Department of Transportation Engineering or the Cincinnati Police Department as appropriate, to enable timely response and resolution. While not emergency responders, ambassadors will provide basic assistance and share safety-related information when appropriate. They will maintain a visible presence that promotes safe use and encourages visitors to remain alert to potential hazards, and they are expected to capture photos and videos of noteworthy events or conditions to support reporting and continuous improvement.

Cincinnati Police Representatives

The Wasson Way has partnered with the Cincinnati Police Department to monitor the trail and help ensure the safety of visitors. The focus is on protecting all trail users, including walkers, runners, cyclists, and families. When repeat violations are identified, law enforcement may follow up with those involved, including notifying parents or guardians when minors are involved, to reinforce compliance with City of Cincinnati and Ohio regulations regarding unlicensed or unregistered motor vehicles on shared-use paths and sidewalks.

If you observe motorized vehicles being used on the trail, and it is safe to do so, please consider taking a photo or short video and sharing it with Wasson Way. If you notice hazards such as debris, dangerous intersections, fallen branches, or other unsafe conditions, please use 311 for non-emergencies, or send information to Wasson Way at wassonway@gmail.com. Use 911 for emergencies.

This information helps document recurring issues and supports collaboration with the Cincinnati Police Department to address unsafe behavior, raise awareness, and support enforcement when needed.

Signage

The Wasson Way has created signage to ensure that each visitor understands expectations for trail etiquette and safety, as well as the local and state laws governing shared use paths. Clear communication of these expectations is an important first step in promoting safety and improving the Wasson Way experience.

Know Your E-Bike: What’s Allowed on Wasson Way

The Wasson Way is part of the Cincinnati Riding or Walking Network (CROWN), a 34-mile trail system that welcomes cyclists, runners, and pedestrians.

To help keep the trail safe and enjoyable for everyone, it is important to understand the distinct types of electric bicycles (e-bikes), and which are allowed on trails like Wasson Way:

E-Bike Classes (as defined by Ohio law):

Class 1: Pedal-assist only (i.e., the motor activates only while pedaling), with assistance up to twenty mph. These are allowed on Wasson Way.
Class 2: Pedal-assist and throttle-operated, but the motor cuts off at 20 mph. These are also allowed on the trail.
Class 3: Pedal-assist only, with assistance up to 28 mph and typically equipped with a speedometer. These are not allowed on shared-use paths like Wasson Way, and they cannot be operated by anyone under age 16.
“Unclassified” (not e-bikes at all): Some motorized bikes do not fall into the above classes because they lack pedals entirely, use throttle-only operation beyond 20 mph, and/or have motors exceeding 750 watts (1 horsepower). These “classless” vehicles are not recognized as bicycles under Ohio law and are not allowed on shared-use paths like Wasson Way.

Whether you are on a bike, e-bike, scooter, or rollerblades, or whether you are pushing a stroller or simply on foot, please keep your speed under control, stay alert, and be courteous to others.

Parents and guardians, please help ensure your children understand and follow these rules, especially when using electric or motorized devices.

Wasson Way Trail Etiquette

Keep right; pass on the left and announce your presence clearly.
Yield appropriately: cyclists yield to pedestrians; faster users yield to slower users.
Maintain a safe speed and be prepared to stop, especially in crowded areas.
Keep pets on a short leash and clean up after them.
Please remain on the designated trail, and be considerate of landscaping, gardens, and nearby private property.
Use headphones such as in-ear headphones (including AirPods-style earbuds), on-ear headphones, and over-ear headphones, with noise-canceling features, at a low volume so you can hear announcements.
Please keep conversations considerate of others.
Pack out all trash and help keep the trail clean and welcoming.
Be courteous, patient, and aware that the trail is a shared community space.