Amid E-Scooter Safety Discussions, Marple Authorities Issue Guidance

MARPLE TOWNSHIP, PA — As more municipalities work to prevent tragedies involving electric scooters and electric bikes in their borders, Marple Police and other officials have issued guidance on using e-scooters and e-bikes in the township.

According to local authorities, e-scooters cannot be legally operated on public roads or sidewalks. They are only permitted on private property. That includes driveways, yards, or someone else’s property where the rider has obtained permission.

Pennsylvania law considers it a vehicle, specifically a motor-driven cycle, which means it falls under the same PennDOT registration requirements and equipment standards (headlights, turn signals, mirrors, etc.) as cars, trucks, or SUVs, officials said.

E-bikes weighing less than 100lbs or with a motor not more than 750 watts are considered as pedalcycles — AKA bicycles — with electric assist. Any device over that weight or wattage is no longer a pedalcycle.

E-bike operators must be at least 16 years old.

While e-bikers are not required to wear helmets, lights are required when operated between sunset and sunrise. Authorities noted that in Pennsylvania, all cyclists under 12 years old must wear a helmet.

They can also be operated on the sidewalk, but only with the use of pedals without electric assist. Also, when riding an e-bike on a sidewalk, the bikers must yield to pedestrians.

"We continue to work with community members on additional educational and enforcement measures including the possibility of a new ordinance, so stay tuned," township officials said in their guidance. "In the meantime, help us spread the word so that parents know they are supported when they tell their child 'No' and be less likely to receive that dreadful phone call."

Abigail Gillon, 12, died June 16 after she and 11-year-old Isabella Jones were hit by a vehicle as they rode an electric scooter in Aston Township on June 14. Jones has since returned home and is recovering after being seriously hurt in the crash.

State Sen. Tim Kearney (D-26th District) is working to establish legislation regarding e-scooter operation regulation in Pennsylvania.

If passed, Kearney's proposal will authorize municipalities to pass ordinances that include stiffer penalties for underage violations.

He said as of now, electric scooters are undefined in the Pennsylvania Vehicle Code and are technically not legal to ride on local or state streets and sidewalks.

"As lawmakers, it is our duty to ensure we are properly adapting our laws to accommodate popular technology SAFELY," he said.

He is calling his proposed legislation "Abby's Law" in honor of the late youth.