The Falls Township Board of Supervisors are moving to ban e-bikes and motorized scooters from municipal parks after a string of safety incidents and growing concerns from residents.
Advertisements
On Monday evening, the supervisors voted to advertise a proposed ordinance amendment targeting the vehicles.
A final vote on the amendment is scheduled for the board’s July meeting.
The move comes after repeated problems at township-owned parks, including multiple incidents where riders taunted and harassed park security staff, officials said.
Advertisements
Due to the parking being township-owned, the supervisors noted they have the direct authority to act on banning e-bikes and e-scooters.
“One thing we can do is limit them in our parks,” said Supervisor Chairman Jeff Dence.
Advertisements
The township wrote in a press release:
“By definition, an e-bike is a vehicle having two tandem wheels or two parallel wheels and one forward wheel. Two of the wheels must not be less than 12 inches in diameter, and designed to be operated by human power with the assistance of an electric motor that has a power output of not more than 750 watts that is incapable of propelling the device at a speed of more than 20 miles per hour; and disengages or ceases to function when the device’s brakes are applied.
“An e-scooter is a two-wheeled device that has handlebars, has a floorboard that is designed to be stood upon when riding, and is powered by an electric motor that has a power output for not more than 300 watts that is incapable of propelling the device at a speed of more than 15 miles per hours; and disengages or ceases to function when the device’s brakes are applied.
“If the ordinance amendment is enacted, electric bicycles and electric scooters, including all classes of e- bikes and e-scooters, would be banned from riding in the township park system. The regulation would not apply to any riding device specifically designed for use by persons with disabilities.”
Advertisements
Enforcement on public roads remains a challenge for township police because it is governed by Pennsylvania state law and not the township, Dence said.
Greg Thompson, a resident of the Levittown section, warned supervisors about safety issues and ongoing problems the e-bikes and e-scooters have caused on New Falls Road. He added there are near-misses.
Advertisements
Across the region, crashes and injuries have been blamed on e-bikes and e-scooters, including deaths.
In Pennsylvania state law, electric scooters without pedals are barred from public streets, officials said.
Advertisements
“The electric scooters are not legal on the street, period,” Dence said. “They’re only legal on private property. So these kids you see zooming around on the scooters, they are — if it doesn’t have pedals, it’s a motorcycle.”
Dence said police have already stepped up township-wide enforcement after complaints from residents about e-bikes and e-scooters.
Advertisements
Township police have had 33 contacts over e-bikes and e-scooters, issued 30 warnings to parents of kids who use them, issued 26 citations, towed seven vehicles, arrested two people, and reported seven subjects fled.
As a way to prevent potential accidents or injuries, Dence stated that police officers and park security will not chase down individuals operating e-bikes and e-scooters.
