As E-bikes grow in popularity nationwide, local authorities in Buckingham Township are reminding residents that Pennsylvania law offers limited options for their legal use.
"As a resident/parent, it's essential to be aware of the laws and regulations surrounding electric bikes in Pennsylvania. The Buckingham Township Police Department wants to ensure your safety and the safety of others on our roads," police said in a public service announcement last week. "We are seeing an increase in complaints regarding juveniles on electric bikes operating in a careless manner."
Buckingham Police said its main goal is the safety of everyone in the township.
Before you purchase an electric bike, please see the age in which a juvenile can legally ride the bike, police said.
In Pennsylvania, electric bicycles are considered vehicles and are subject to certain rules and regulations. Here are some key points to keep in mind, according to police:
Age Requirement: You must be at least 16 years old to operate an electric bicycle.
Helmets: Wearing a helmet is mandatory for riders under 12 years old. However, we strongly recommend that all riders wear helmets to ensure their safety.
Speed Limit: Electric bicycles are limited to a maximum speed of 20 mph on roads and bike paths.
Roadway Use: Electric bicycles are permitted on roads and bike paths, but riders must follow the same traffic laws as motor vehicles.
Licensing: You do not need a driver's license to operate an electric bicycle, but you must follow all traffic laws and regulations.
Without the ability to register and inspect these scooters, their use on public roads is essentially prohibited. Riders attempting to use scooters on local streets could find themselves facing legal consequences.
Sidewalks, often viewed as a safer alternative to roadways, are also off-limits under Pennsylvania law. Title 75 – Section 3703 of the Vehicle Code explicitly forbids the operation of electric scooters on sidewalks, creating further confusion for users seeking a legal way to ride.
One of the main sources of misunderstanding stems from the misclassification of electric scooters as Electric Personal Assistive Mobility Devices (EPAMDs), such as Segways. EPAMDs are defined as self-balancing, two-non-tandem-wheeled devices with electric propulsion. Since electric scooters are typically tandem and not self-balancing, they do not fall under this legal category.
Given these restrictions, the only place electric scooters can currently be ridden legally in Pennsylvania is on private property. This includes personal yards or other private areas where the rider has been granted permission by the landowner.
