In an effort to prevent careless riding and potential injuries in Falls Township parks, the Supervisors are working to amend an ordinance, which, if enacted, would prohibit electric bikes and electric scooters in township parks.
During Monday night’s meeting, the Supervisors authorized advertising a draft ordinance. The updates would be considered for adoption in July and would take effect five days thereafter.
“We’ve had issues several times with kids taunting our park security,” Supervisors Chairman Jeff Dence said. “One thing we can do is limit them in our parks.”
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.
Township Manager John Shepherd said Falls Township Police have stepped up enforcement efforts to rid roadways of unsafe and, in some cases, illegal riding apparatus.
“They are enforcing the laws that are on the books,” Shepherd said. “The police have been really active.”
Within the last month, there have been 33 police officer-initiated contacts, 26 citations, two arrests, more than 30 warnings to parents, seven vehicles have been towed, 10 fleeing violations, and numerous near-miss crashes, Dence shared.
“They’re doing what they can,” Dence said of police.
In other business, the Supervisors approved a proclamation recognizing July as Disability Pride Month. Seema Kazmi, a member of Falls Township’s Disabled Persons Advisory Board, thanked the board for its support and shared that a recent advisory board presentation focused on home accommodations for amputees.
