At their June 22 meeting, members of McCandless Council unanimously passed an e-bike ordinance, which includes possible violations for parents or guardians of young riders who do not follow the rules.
Ordinance 1571 establishes regulations relating to the use of electronic bicycles and electronically motorized devices within town parks and property only. Just like state law, operators of e-bikes must be at least 16 years old.
“We all have very valid safety concerns. (Riders) should be able to have fun. But they need to have fun safely,” council member Nick Giorgetti said.
E-bikes are defined as a pedalcycle not more than 100 pounds, with an electric motor system of no more than 750 watts, equipped with operable pedals and capable of a speed no more than 20 mph.
An electronically motorized device would include, but is not limited to, a “motorcycle, including a motor scooter, with either an electric or combustion-powered motor” and a one-wheel or a self-balancing electric skateboard with a single tire.
Council President Trish Cloonan clarified the “ordinance is prohibitive, but it does not prohibit the use.”
E-bikes and electronically motorized devices are prohibited from being used on grass, fields or open spaces within the town’s parks. This includes shelters, courts, playgrounds and picnic areas, according to the ordinances.
These devices shall not carry more people than the number for which they are designed.
McCandless requires helmets for operators younger than 21.
While this differs from the “PA Micromobility Fact Sheet” by PennDOT, which does not require helmets for e-bikes, riders on McCandless property must adhere to the stricter law requiring them.
The state requires head protection for riders of traditional bikes younger than 12.
E-bikes must remain on asphalted or concreted pathways at all times while operating in town parks, including Brandt Trail, which has seen more e-bike traffic, according to council discussions.
The maximum speed limit for e-bikes and electronically motorized devices on pathways in town parks is 15 mph, and they can only be operated from dawn to dusk.
All operators of these devices must yield the right of way to pedestrians at all times while on town property. This includes reducing speed and preparing to stop when approaching pedestrians.
Any parent or guardian of a child shall be held responsible for any violation of these rules by that child where the parent or guardian knowingly permits or authorizes the child to operate an e-bike or electronically motorized device.
Violators of the ordinance may be subject to fines of not more than $300 and may be immediately ejected from the town park or property. McCandless police are authorized to enforce this ordinance.
The town may establish definitions, but the “technology on this equipment is changing rapidly,” Cloonan said.
“This is going to be a hard one to keep up with,” she said.
Council member Joe Wall said there isn’t clear messaging on what e-bikes are and how these should be handled.
“In my mind, e-bikes are a nuisance,” said Wall, adding he considers them a motor vehicle.
“I asked our state legislators to get with it and define what these things are,” he said.
Council members suggest residents contact state legislators for additional regulations and better definitions of electronic bicycles.
Council member Jack Hickerson agreed, adding he recently nearly collided with an e-bike which unsafely crossed the road in front of his vehicle.
State Rep. Arvind Venkat, D-McCandless, said while he has seen some proposals introduced at the state level, “There’s definitely more that needs to be done.”
He said he plans to communicate with McCandless leaders on the issue.