LOCK HAVEN — Lock Haven City Council passed its updated bike ordinance. The ordinance, which has been a topic at Council for several meetings now, was discussed and the final version — for now — was passed at Monday night’s meeting.

During a previous meeting, the original ordinance was presented with a new amendment to Chapter 380 Article 10 — previously titled “Regulation of Pedal Cycle and Nonmotorized Vehicles” — to reflect new technology and current state laws that have been put in place regarding E-bikes and other motorized vehicles, including electric scooters, skateboards, unicycles, kick scooters, personal assisted mobility devices — like Hoverrounds — and bicycles.

The new amendment was approved, titled Chapter 380 Article 10 “Regulation of Other Vehicles.”

State law dictates that motorized pedal cycles and motorized scooters are actually vehicles and are only permitted on city streets if the operator has a state driver’s license.

“If you are on a scooter — like a jazzy, Hoverround — 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 during a previous meeting.

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 added.

The ordinance had also been amended at a previous meeting to clarify mobility scooters may be at the J. Doyle Corman Amphitheater.

With this amendment, Mayor Joel Long clarified that this is not set in stone as the ordinance may be updated as needed.

“If we find something that doesn’t work right, we can always go back and change something to better accommodate,” said Long.

Downtown Lock Haven

Downtown Lock Haven (DLH) reached out to the city council, seeking to discuss bringing their organization under the city’s umbrella. DLH stated they are “exploring the concept of integrating with an existing agency.”

The Clinton County Economic Partnership is also involved, and is asking for a working proposal.

Councilmember Steve Stevenson said, “Maybe we need to talk to the three groups and let them all sit down and figure out what’s best for DLH before you put a lot of time and energy in it.”

As council continued to discuss the possibility of responding to the proposal, Councilmember Barb Masorti stated the concern of the city, that “as a governing body, it could present us with conflicts of interest at some point down the road.”

Looking forward, Stevenson mentioned the new executive director hired by DLH.

“He hasn’t been given a chance yet to get his feet wet or see what maybe he could do,” Stevenson said.

The council voted in favor of answering a short list of questions and continuing to look into the possibility of making Downtown Lock Haven an added entity, instead of being a separate one. The vote was 6-1, with all members except Jeff Brinker voting to answer the questions.

Brinker expressed concerns prior to the vote that pursuing this avenue could open the city up to other groups down the road.

In other news, Lock Haven City Council approved the use of Triangle Park by Ray Andrews and the F&A Masons LaFayette Lodge of Lock Haven.

The group plans to install a decorated Christmas tree in the Park, starting Nov. 23, which will remain up until Jan. 3.

The tree is said to be a way to enhance our outdoor parks to reflect the interests and culture of the community.

The next meeting of Lock Haven City Council will be held on Monday, Nov. 17.