MONTGOMERY COUNTY, PA — Police around Montgomery County continue to warn residents about the dangers posed by e-bikes, which often operate illegally or in ways that threaten the safety of others on trails and roads.
Numerous incidents have been reported, including speeding e-bikes, groups of teens taunting and fleeing police, and damage caused to trails dedicated for walkers, runners, and bikers.
Younger riders may not realize they’re being reckless on trails, and can put themselves in danger when they attempt to navigate tight spaces, particularly when there are other users.
Children should always wear helmets and stay within designated bike lanes and designated bike trails, avoiding high speed roadways and trails marked exclusively for pedestrians.
Lower Moreland Police note that the legal status of e-bikes and related vehicles “can be confusing.”
“While e-bikes are a convenient mode of transportation, they can pose significant safety risks when young riders are not properly supervised or following necessary safety guidelines,” Upper Providence Township Police Chief Mark Freeman shared.
A new policy launched last summer raises the fine for e-bike misuse on trails 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.
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.
Freeman says 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.
Below is a fact sheet shared by Lower Moreland Police regarding various types of bikes and what laws apply:
