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Council adopts ordinance restricting electric scooters, e-bikes and powered mobility devices
Summary
The council adopted Ordinance 2025-09, replacing the city’s pedicycle rules with a broader regulation that clarifies where various electric and motorized personal mobility devices may and may not be used; members amended language to explicitly address electric wheelchairs and to expand a sidewalk prohibition.
Lock Haven City Council adopted Ordinance 2025-09 on the regulation of electric scooters, e-bikes, motorized personal-assistive devices and related vehicles, repealing the former chapter on pedicabs and nonmotorized devices.
The ordinance clarifies which devices are permitted on streets, which are treated as vehicles under state law, and where devices are prohibited. Under the new language, lightweight “kick” electric scooters—that state guidance classifies as motorized pedestrian devices—are prohibited on public streets, sidewalks, bike lanes and the city’s levee linear walkway; state law categorizes higher‑powered motor scooters and motorized vehicles as vehicles that may operate only on streets with appropriate licensing and registration.
Council members pressed staff on definitions and enforcement. One member asked whether the language would ban smaller children’s scooters as well as high‑speed units; staff pointed to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation guidance included in the ordinance package and emphasized the rule is based on state classification. Councilors also raised concerns about persons using powered wheelchairs or assistive mobility devices at public events on the levy. The council amended the ordinance to explicitly reference electric wheelchairs and electric‑powered personal assistive devices, and to add a clarifying exception for the Gorman Amphitheater/general concert area to avoid unintentionally ticketing mobility‑impaired attendees who are using assistive devices while remaining in the fenced concert area.
Councilors discussed penalties and progressive enforcement; staff noted the ordinance sets a minimum fine starting at $50 and that judicial discretion and subsequent citations could increase penalties if violations persist. Several council members asked that enforcement be phased in with warnings before citations become routine.
After amendments on wheelchairs, the levy exception and pluralizing sidewalk language, council adopted the ordinance by roll call; the measure passed with support from a majority of members present.
