By STEPHANIE VETTENBURG-SHAFFER

McKean County District Attorney

(Editor’s note: The information in this special series is for educational purposes only and is not intended to address any particular case, nor should any articles be taken as legal advice. Always consult with an attorney on any legal matter.)

Recently there have been a few crashes involving e-bikes and pedestrians locally. Bradford City Police Chief Mike Ward recently posted a press release about incidents that have resulted in injury. And in looking at other municipalities’ press releases, you can’t help but come upon articles about e-bikes. E-bikes and their regulation are a hot topic likely because, as they are becoming more popular, the bike industry and the law regarding it are evolving.

Pennsylvania law defines an e-bike as a “vehicle of not more than 100 pounds with 2 or 3 wheels more than 11 inches in diameter, electric motor rated at not more than 750 watts, equipped with operable pedals and capable of speed of not more than 20 mph on a level surface when powered by the motor source only.” Not to be confused with “motorized pedalcycles” (mopeds) (which are not considered e-bikes and have their own rules), which are defined as “a motor-driven cycles with pedals, motor rated no more than 1.5 brake hp, cylinder capacity up to 50 cubic centimeters, automatic transmission and max speed of 25 mph or an electric motor-driven cycle with pedals and automatic transmission powered by electric battery or battery pack-powered electric motor with a max design speed of 25 mph.”

You can see why there is so much confusion.

E-bikes are, in essence, bicycles with electronic assistance that you can also pedal. Most of the rules for e-bikes are the same for bicycles.

Pennsylvania does not require a license to operate an e-bike, but you have to be at least 16. Any passenger younger than 12 must wear a helmet the same as any rider of a regular bike under 12 must wear a helmet.

The accidents we had locally have occurred on trails where there are pedestrians as well as e-bikes. Every trail has different regulations set by their boards but e-bikes are permitted on most state-run trails where traditional bikes are allowed but are required to use pedals only on all non-motorized trails. It is possible some of our local trails may go to “non-motorized trails” to minimize the risk of injury due to crashes.

Everyone must know the type of bike they are using and the rules that govern it and follow those rules. Stay to the right of the passageway and pass on the left — giving notice to those you are passing. Riders must yield to pedestrians and obey speed limits and motor restrictions. And don’t operate them after using alcohol (or drugs) because DUI by bike is a chargeable crime in Pennsylvania.

Common courtesy for fellow trail users prevents most incidents but the newness of these bikes is likely to blame for many accidents. As we all become used to seeing e-bikes, riders get used to handling their e-bikes, and trails are posted to identify the type of use permitted, we should expect a reduction in pedestrian versus e-bike crashes.