PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — E-scooters will likely remain illegal for all riders on Pennsylvania roads until at least next year. Legislation that would have allowed them for riders 16 and older, and would have clarified rules for law enforcement, appears to be out of time.
The bill passed the Pennsylvania House 176-27 but won’t have enough time to get through the state Senate this session. The legislation would have allowed e-scooters for anyone 16 and up, and set speed limits and other guidelines, including a fine that — with fees — would be around $80.
The bill’s sponsor, Delaware County Democrat Jennifer O’Mara, said the status quo is not working, as many parents do not even know e-scooters are illegal on public roads. After 12-year-old Abby Gillen was killed on an e-scooter in her district last year, O’Mara said her office got calls from several parents asking what the current rules are.
“They were astounded when I told them these aren’t even legal,” she said. “Your kids shouldn’t even be using them.”
If the rider is a minor, the bill would allow law enforcement to confiscate the e-scooter until an adult takes responsibility. That’s a big gray area right now — a big reason why police aren’t cracking down on e-scooters.
“This is common sense,” said western Pennsylvania-based Rep. Emily Kinkead. “E-scooters are only getting more and more prevalent, so doing nothing to address this only means that things stay exactly as they are, not that they get any better.”
While supporters see transit value for riders 16 and up, they also stress e-scooters are dangerous and not toys.
As they’re often marketed toward kids, the bill would also require anyone who sells e-scooters to inform customers of the age requirement.
Currently, riding e-scooters on public roads is illegal in Pa.
Currently, riding e-scooters on public roads is illegal in Pa.
