Electric bikes are becoming increasingly popular across Pennsylvania. “Over the years, it’s been tremendously successful selling e-bikes,” Greensburg Bike Shop co-owner Bryan Metzger said. “People love them. They’re very reliable. They have hydraulic brakes on them.” He’s come across some customers who want them as their preferred method of transportation.“They do sell models that are strictly commuter models,” Metzger said. “Most of our riders aren’t on the road. The ones that are usually know what they’re doing. A lot of recreational riders went to it.”“It’s become more affordable, and because of technology, they go faster,” Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Steve Limani said. “Now, some of these electric scooters can travel up to 30 miles an hour. That’s a little dangerous.”However, more people riding has led to more incidents for law enforcement.“I know we’ve dealt with a fatality where the person was riding an e-bike,” Limani said. “That person was riding it not along the right-hand side of the road where a typical bicycle would be ridden. Unfortunately, they were struck.”That was when 19-year-old Jayden Lynch died in Hempfield Township in August. The man who allegedly struck Lynch is still facing charges. Greensburg Police had a bike chase within the last month. “Two teenage boys actually rode these e-bikes that were not meant for street use, and rode them from the North Huntingdon area to the city of Greensburg,” Greensburg Police Detective Sgt. Justin Scalzo said. “It’s starting to be more teens and juveniles owning these things. They are subject to heavy fines, multiple traffic citations, and the police usually seize those bikes.”Looking for more news in your area | Subscribe to the WTAE YouTube ChannelIn 2024, 345 vehicle crashes investigated by PSP involved e-bikes. Incidents like those have led officers to try and inform their communities about the devices.“You technically aren’t allowed to ride those on a roadway or a sidewalk,” Limani said. “It’s meant to be ridden on personal property, not out on public streets. If you have the option to switch from an e-bike to being a self-propelled bicycle, the person’s allowed to self-pedal a bicycle.”“For it to be street legal, we need registration, insurance and turn signals,” Scalzo added. “Comply with what the law says you’re allowed to do and what the vehicle code says you’re allowed to do.”Bethel Park Police Department posted on Facebook regarding a recent incident as well. This chart from PennDOT shows the legal capabilities of e-bikes and motorized bicycles.Some riders say smaller communities need more room for any kind of bike.“People have to advocate for bike lanes and certain things,” Metzger said. “There are advocates to try and make that better and make more communities bike-friendly. It’ll be like that eventually.”“There’s legislation right now where they’re trying to come up with ways that these can be operated, who can operate them and where they can be operated,” Limani said. On top of that, riders can have e-bikes and still find ways around the main roads. “If you use certain apps, you can find back ways,” Metzger said. “You don’t have to take the main drag every time. Google Maps can find bike trails and rural routes so you’re not going down a heavy thoroughfare.”While officers aren’t looking to target and ticket e-bikes, they are focused on informing their riders to make the community safer. “It’s about educating people and making sure that no one gets hurt,” Limani said. “Our number one goal is that nobody gets hurt.” Download the WTAE app to stay connected with breaking news. Sign up for our email newsletters to get breaking news in your inbox.

GREENSBURG, Pa. —

Electric bikes are becoming increasingly popular across Pennsylvania.

“Over the years, it’s been tremendously successful selling e-bikes,” Greensburg Bike Shop co-owner Bryan Metzger said. “People love them. They’re very reliable. They have hydraulic brakes on them.”

He’s come across some customers who want them as their preferred method of transportation.

“They do sell models that are strictly commuter models,” Metzger said. “Most of our riders aren’t on the road. The ones that are usually know what they’re doing. A lot of recreational riders went to it.”

“It’s become more affordable, and because of technology, they go faster,” Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Steve Limani said. “Now, some of these electric scooters can travel up to 30 miles an hour. That’s a little dangerous.”

However, more people riding has led to more incidents for law enforcement.

“I know we’ve dealt with a fatality where the person was riding an e-bike,” Limani said. “That person was riding it not along the right-hand side of the road where a typical bicycle would be ridden. Unfortunately, they were struck.”

That was when 19-year-old Jayden Lynch died in Hempfield Township in August. The man who allegedly struck Lynch is still facing charges.

Greensburg Police had a bike chase within the last month.

“Two teenage boys actually rode these e-bikes that were not meant for street use, and rode them from the North Huntingdon area to the city of Greensburg,” Greensburg Police Detective Sgt. Justin Scalzo said. “It’s starting to be more teens and juveniles owning these things. They are subject to heavy fines, multiple traffic citations, and the police usually seize those bikes.”

Looking for more news in your area | Subscribe to the WTAE YouTube Channel

In 2024, 345 vehicle crashes investigated by PSP involved e-bikes. Incidents like those have led officers to try and inform their communities about the devices.

“You technically aren’t allowed to ride those on a roadway or a sidewalk,” Limani said. “It’s meant to be ridden on personal property, not out on public streets. If you have the option to switch from an e-bike to being a self-propelled bicycle, the person’s allowed to self-pedal a bicycle.”

“For it to be street legal, we need registration, insurance and turn signals,” Scalzo added. “Comply with what the law says you’re allowed to do and what the vehicle code says you’re allowed to do.”

Bethel Park Police Department posted on Facebook regarding a recent incident as well.

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This chart from PennDOT shows the legal capabilities of e-bikes and motorized bicycles.

Some riders say smaller communities need more room for any kind of bike.

“People have to advocate for bike lanes and certain things,” Metzger said. “There are advocates to try and make that better and make more communities bike-friendly. It’ll be like that eventually.”

“There’s legislation right now where they’re trying to come up with ways that these can be operated, who can operate them and where they can be operated,” Limani said.

On top of that, riders can have e-bikes and still find ways around the main roads.

“If you use certain apps, you can find back ways,” Metzger said. “You don’t have to take the main drag every time. Google Maps can find bike trails and rural routes so you’re not going down a heavy thoroughfare.”

While officers aren’t looking to target and ticket e-bikes, they are focused on informing their riders to make the community safer.

“It’s about educating people and making sure that no one gets hurt,” Limani said. “Our number one goal is that nobody gets hurt.”

Download the WTAE app to stay connected with breaking news. Sign up for our email newsletters to get breaking news in your inbox.