What to know about riding an electric bicycle in Erie, Millcreek or at Presque Isle

Matt Greene used to spot an electric bicycle at Presque Isle State Park maybe every couple weeks. Now, the park operations manager said, it's not unusual for someone to be riding an e-bike there every day.

"We're definitely seeing more e-bikes," Greene said in 2023. However, he added, "It's still a relatively pretty small percentage of the overall bicycles."

But, as Greene has seen firsthand, the number of electric bicycles is growing. In 2023, e-bike sales were estimated to reach 40 million units worldwide, generating about $20 billion in revenue, according to the website eBicycles.com, a free online resource for learning more about electric bicycles. The website's e-bike facts and statistics page also stated that by 2023, it was expected that the total number of electric bikes in circulation around the world would reach 300 million.

Even as e-bikes have increased, they haven't been a problem at Presque Isle, Greene said.

He said there is a concern, as with regular bicycles, about riders going too fast on the park's Multi-Purpose Trail, which is also used by walkers and skaters and doesn't have a speed limit. Greene said trail users are asked to conduct themselves in a way that has minimal effect on other users.

Most bicycles have wheels with tires too narrow for riding on beaches, he said. But bikes and e-bikes with fat tires can be taken onto Presque Isle beaches, Greene said.

Another concern is that with so many different makes and models of electric bicycles, it can be hard for park staff to tell at a glance if an e-bike meets the regulations to be ridden at Presque Isle, Greene said.

He said if e-bikes expand the way for people to get outside when they otherwise wouldn't and encourage more recreation without damaging natural resources, he's for it.

"I think overall e-bikes provide a way for people to get outside," Greene said. "I think that's a good thing."

What is considered an e-bike?

An e-bike or electric bicycle is referred to in the Pennsylvania Vehicle Code, also known as Title 75, as a pedalcycle with electric assist.

Because pedalcycles with electric assist are considered bicycles, they don't require titling, registration or insurance, according to Pennsylvania Department of Transportation information. The operator does not require a driver’s license but must be at least 16 years of age.

Weight: According to the state code, an e-bike weighs 100 pounds or less.

Wheels: It has two or three wheels that are more than 11 inches in diameter.

Motor: An e-bike is manufactured or assembled with an electric motor system rated at not more than 750 watts.

Pedals: E-bikes are equipped with operable pedals.

Speed: An e-bike can't go more than 20 miles per hour on a level surface when powered by the motor source only.

Some models of e-bikes can now go faster than 20 mph but riders must obey state or local speed limits set for the bicycles or for roads or trails they are ridden on.

No one shall ride a pedalcycle on a Pennsylvania freeway, defined by the vehicle code as a limited access highway to which the only means of ingress and egress is by interchange ramps. Exceptions are if PennDOT determines there is no reasonable alternate route and the freeway is safe for pedalcycle travel or if a local authority gives permission via ordinance, according to the vehicle code.

What regulations exist for e-bike use?

At Presque Isle State Park

Presque Isle falls under the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, which has an e-bike policy approved in 2022.

DCNR treats electric bicycles the same as human-powered bicycles as long as the e-bikes meet the guidelines in the Pennsylvania Vehicle Code for weight, motor, pedals and speed.

E-bikes are permitted on DCNR-managed trails where regular bikes are allowed, according to the policy. E-bikes aren't allowed where regular bikes are prohibited, such as on designated hiking trails and in natural areas. At Presque Isle, no bikes of any kind are allowed on the 11 miles of hiking trails but are allowed on the 13.5-mile Multi-Purpose Trail, Greene said.

Outdoors: As e-bike use grows, Pennsylvania looks to accommodate riders in state parks, forests

On trails designated for non-motorized use, e-bike riders may only use human power or pedal-assist power, which is electric assistance while pedaling. They can't use the motor without also pedaling on non-motorized trails.

Although some e-bikes can go faster than 20 mph, e-bike riders aren't allowed to use the electric assistance to go faster than that on state park and forest trails.

E-bikes are generally permitted on public-use roads within state parks and forests, unless otherwise marked as prohibited, according to the policy.

No one under the age of 16 can operate an e-bike on DCNR lands.

While Pennsylvania law requires helmets be worn by anyone under the age of 12, DCNR recommends that bicyclists of all ages wear helmets.

In an online frequently asked questions about its e-bike policy, DCNR said: "E-bikes offer the public opportunities to expand their outdoor recreational access and can even serve as a primary mode of transportation for those interested in a healthier, more environmentally-friendly lifestyle. This policy seeks to improve accessibility of Pennsylvania’s state parks and forests through healthful active transportation for all Pennsylvanians and supports the agency’s overall goal to promote 'Recreation for All.'"

Learn more at www.dcnr.pa.gov/Pages/EBikePolicy.aspx.

In Erie

City Councilman Chuck Nelson, who was council president in 2023, said Erie doesn't have specific regulations or ordinances related to electric bicycles and there aren't plans to add any at this time.

However, he did say that the speed limit for e-bikes is the same as other vehicles on the road because bikes have to abide by traffic laws.

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The city does have an ordinance for bicycles that says state and city traffic laws apply to every person riding a bicycle upon a roadway in Erie. The bicycle code also says that no one age 16 or older may ride their bicycle on sidewalks.

City Council did approve an ordinance amending the bicycle ordinance in May to repeal some sections, such as a registration, licensing and tagging requirement for bikes. But the amendment didn't make any mention of electric bicycles either.

Earlier this year, the Erie Police Department's Saturation Unit got 10 new e-bikes with help from a grant secured by state Reps. Pat Harkins of Erie, D-1st Dist., and Bob Merski of Erie, D-2nd Dist. The new e-bikes will allow officers to interact more with community members and cover a larger area of the city while on patrol, Harkins said in an email.

In Millcreek

Township Supervisor Jim Bock said Millcreek, like Erie, doesn't have a specific ordinance addressing e-bikes. Rather, the township adheres to Title 75. Also, Millcreek police monitor e-bike riders.

"They're not supposed to go over 20 (mph) unless they're pedaling," said Cpl. Matt Shollenberger, the township police's traffic officer.

Bock referred the Erie Times-News to information on "e-bike safety" included on the Millcreek police page in the fall edition of In Millcreek magazine. Under regulations, the page mentions that riders must be 16 years old; helmets and registration aren't required; e-bikes aren't allowed on sidewalks; riders should follow a bike lane; if a bike lane isn't available, riders should keep to the right; and the same rules apply as for a traditional bicycle.

Concerns about e-bike riders not obeying speed limits and traffic signs were raised by a resident at several Millcreek Township supervisor meetings, most recently on Sept. 12.

But Shollenberger said last fall and again this spring that there weren't many complaints about e-bikes and he wasn't aware of any riders being issued citations.

Elsewhere

Check with your local municipal office, parks, gamelands, federal lands or other locations to see if they have any rules or regulations specifically related to e-bikes.

Dana Massing can be reached at dmassing@timesnews.com.

This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: E-bikes allowed at Presque Isle, in Erie, Millcreek