$300 Fines Now In Place For E-Bike Violators In Montgomery Co.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, PA — Fines of $300 are now in place across Montgomery County for e-bike users who violate established laws of the road and the trail, officials said.

Montgomery County Park Rangers and local police were out on the streets and in area parks last weekend to educate the public about the changes to the ordinance, and to put a radar gun on speeding e-bikers.

The move comes after numerous incidents in the county involving speeding e-bikes, groups of teens taunting and fleeing police, and damage caused to trails dedicated for hikers, runners, and bikers.

The new policy raises the fine for e-bike misuse on trails up from $100 to $300. Misuse includes speeding, riding on trails marked specifically for non-motorized vehicles, and using e-bikes with too much weight, power, and speed on those trails.

Following a series of recent incidents in Upper Providence, the local police chief said that many young riders don't have the experience or judgement to handle the high speeds which the bikes quickly reach. They also struggle to recognize how to interact with traffic and the dangers posed by motor vehicles, pedestrians, and other cyclists.

The new policy limits e-bike weight to 100 pounds and motor power is limited to 750 watts. Their speed may not exceed 15 miles per hour, which is also the speed limit for bicycles on county trails.

Montgomery County has one of the nation's most extensive trail networks, with 100 miles of trails and around 2 million visitors per year.