Council talks about rules for E-bikes, more; Police chief looks to educate residents on dos and don’ts

LOCK HAVEN -- Lock Haven City Council continued its discussion regarding the use of electric bicycles and other, similar, vehicles on its sidewalks at its meeting this week.

Council heard from Lock Haven Police Chief Matthew Rickard about how the department plans to educate residents on the dangers of using electric bikes, scooters and even pedal bicycles on sidewalks within the city.

"I have told the officers we're going to start this approach with counseling basically. Educating these folks," he told council. "Saying, 'hey you cannot just drive down the street and blow every stop sign on Bald Eagle Street. You're going to hurt somebody or yourself and you're violating the law.'"

He noted officers who may stop individuals more than once can then consider taking action and fining them.

"Education, I think, is the ticket to start," he said.

He noted this issue isn't just about kids using these modes of transportation in ways they shouldn't, but also adults.

In terms of enforcement and education, Rickard noted the department is currently three officers short of a full staff, which can cause a strain and make it more difficult to police as often as they'd like.

"We're fixing that, we're doing really well at it," he said. "But a lot of patrol time... an officer out on a 12 hour shift… (can) sometimes have 12 to 15 calls, they just don't have time to enforce these as much."

While the police department looks to educate and enforce e-bike laws and current rules in the city's own regarding pedal bicycles that are already in place, City Manager Gregory Wilson told council they would be able to review updates to its ordinances at its next meeting.

"(At) your next meeting you will see a more refined ordinance than what there currently is. Because the current ordinance only addresses things you pedal. That doesn't address really a lot of the new vehicles out there," he said.

Wilson emphasized, however, there is one exception to the electric transportation that may be used on sidewalks -- mobility scooters.

"If you are on a scooter -- like a jazzy, hover round -- that is for your mobility because of your disability. That is replacing the way you get around as a pedestrian. That is only legally allowed to be used on a sidewalk. It is never legal to have that in the street, ever," Wilson said.

Bicycles, regular scooters, skateboards and other similar items are only permitted to be used on the street and not the sidewalk or along the levee walkway, he said.

Council member Tami Brannan noted the community can also remind those who may be violating the laws of what they're doing.

"We can as community members say 'hey you need to do this on the street.' The police don't have to give a ticket," Brannan said.

Share with council, and the community were the follow rules regarding the use of e-bikes, regular bicycles and other devices on city streets:

STATE LAWS SUMMARIZED

E-Bikes -- "Pedalcycle with electric assist" -- PA Title 75-102

-- Must weigh no more than 100 pounds, two or three wheels that are more than 11 inches in diameter, manufactured/assembled with an electric motor of no more than 750 watts. Has operable pedals and capable of a speed of no more than 20 miles per hour powered by motor alone.

-- Rules of the road apply to E-Bikes as pedalcycles -- PA Title 75-3501

-- PA Title 75-3505 (Roadways): may be operated on the shoulder; must travel in same direction as required by vehicles; must traffic the correct direction on one-way roads; no more than two riders wide unless on designated pedalcycle paths.

-- PA Title-3507 -- Equipment/At Night: Between sunset and sunrise must have white light lamp on front and be visible from 500 feet; red reflector face to the rear visible from 500 feet; amber reflector on each side.

-- PA Title 75-3508 -- Sidewalks and Pedalcycle Paths: Yield right of way to pedestrians on sidewalks; not to be ridden on a sidewalk in business district.

-- PA Title 75-3514: Must be 16 to ride an E-Bike (pedalcycle with electric assist).

Electric skateboards and scooters

-- Pennsylvania identifies electric skateboards and scoots as "motor vehicle" or "motor-driven cycle."

-- PA Title 75-102 defines: Motor vehicle as "a vehicle which is self-propelled except an electric personal assistive mobility device or a vehicle which is propelled solely by human power; Motordriven-cycle as "a motorcycle, including a motor scooter, with a motor which produces not to exceed five brake horsepower."

-- PA Title 75 (Vehicle Code) requires: riders to be licensed; vehicle to be registered; vehicle to be inspected; vehicle to be insured; helmet to be worn unless you are over 21 years of age.

-- Effectively unlawful to ride in public, please enjoy them on private property!

CITY ORDINANCE SUMMARIZES

-- 380-89: Riding and parking of pedalcycles on sidewalks along certain streets prohibited including:

Business Districts

Bellefonte Avenue between the city line and West Church Street; East and West Church Street between First Street and Jay Street; East and West Main Street between Bellefonte Avenue and Jay Street; East and West Water Street between First Street and Jay Street.

Residential Areas; Housing

for the Elderly

Barton Street between Center Street and West Fourth Street; Bellefonte Avenue between North Fairview Street and West Fourth Street; Bellefonte Avenue between South Jones Street and West Bald Eagle Street; Center Street between Barton Street and Hampton Street; East Park Street between Myrtle Street and Jessamine Street; Jessamine Street between East Park Street and Walnut Street; Lock Haven University between all sidewalks adjoining LHU property and all sidewalks within LHU property.