Chief Issues Warning As Bristol Police Target E-Bikes, Scooters

Bristol Borough police are increasing enforcement of electric scooters, e-bikes, and loud aftermarket mufflers after a surge in resident complaints.

Police Chief Joe Moors said the crackdown is focused on the safety of both riders and motorists.

As electric scooters have become popular, Pennsylvania law classifies them as vehicles subject to PennDOT titling and registration. Because most scooters lack standard safety equipment like turn signals and mirrors, they cannot pass inspection, which makes them illegal to operate on public roads.

“I just want everybody to know that we are enforcing these laws. They are state laws,” Moors said.

The department has already begun issuing citations and seizing some e-bikes and scooters, including on Mill Street last weekend.

State law dictates that motorized pedicycles and e-bikes require riders to be at least 16 years old. E-bikes are further restricted to a maximum speed of 20 mph.

As part of the department’s efforts, officers are distributing PennDOT information sheets as an educational tool, including through local schools.

Moors also said there are reports of groups of four to seven kids riding on Radcliffe and Pond streets, performing wheelies and “playing chicken” with oncoming traffic.

“We’re not going to tolerate that,” Moors said. “I encourage the parents to work with us before we have a horrific tragedy on our hands in Bristol Borough.”

Mayor Frank Peranteau, the former Bristol Borough police chief and district judge, said he has experienced young people “playing chicken” in the road on their bicycles.

While department policy prohibits officers from taking on pursuits when riders flee, Moors noted that police have other investigative tools to identify violators.

Officers are also targeting vehicles equipped with loud, aftermarket mufflers that have been disrupting the community at all hours, Moors said.

Residents, including those at Grundy Tower, have reported the loud noise and speeding throughout the night.

“Those mufflers are not stock mufflers,” Moors said.

The chief said the department has officers who are trained to identify and cite owners for violations of the law.