Lancaster, N.Y. (WBEN) - The Town of Lancaster has implemented new rules regarding e-bike use, and violators could face an escalating range of fines.
Town Supervisor Bob Leary says the new rules were established to deal with a big problem that seems to be going on with these vehicles.
"I personally had some very close calls with some of these things because they're traveling at speeds of 30 miles an hour. You look in your mirror one time as you're backing up, and they're not like cars where you can see them. They come out of nowhere, and right outside of town hall here, almost you know, ran into a couple of them, luckily, stopped in time," said Leary in an interview with WBEN.
He says new laws require operators be, at least, 16-years-old to ride any electric bicycle, electric scooter, or motorized device on public property, and the devices are strictly prohibited on public sidewalks and in parking lots, except where a shopping center allows them to be utilized in there.
"When they're operating on public property, electric motorized devices are subject to a strict speed limit of 20 miles per hour, and must be equipped with a permanently attached audio warning device, such as a horn or a bell, to alert the pedestrians and motorists that they're there. Additionally, they're forbidden from carrying more than one person at a time," Leary added.
Fines start at $50 for a first offense, $100 for a second offense, and $250 for each subsequent offense.
Leary says violators could lose their bikes.
"They may be held by the arresting police department pending completion of the investigation and prosecution of the violations of the chapter until otherwise directed by order of a court, so we can seize the vehicles. The court says we got to give them back. We got to give them back, but it's kind of up to the courts at that point," he said.
The law takes effect as soon as its registered with New York's Secretary of State.
