Councilors, police discuss e‑bike power limits and enforcement after complaints

Councilors and police discussed whether Palmyra’s vehicle code and enforcement practices adequately address high‑powered electric bicycles after several recent resident reports of fast e‑bikes failing to stop at intersections. The discussion followed a council member’s request to “check‑in about the regulations” after receiving complaints and seeing riders “flying through town.” The council sought clarification on whether electric bicycles that exceed common power thresholds fit the borough’s existing definitions and enforcement tools. Police Chief: “The max allowed for an e‑bike is 750 watts,” the chief said during the discussion, noting some models sold retail exceed that level. The chief and councilors repeatedly urged residents to call when incidents occur and to supply photos or video when possible so officers can respond to recurrent problems in focused areas. The chief said the borough’s traffic and vehicle enforcement authority enables officers to stop and ticket riders who violate traffic laws irrespective of registration status. “We have all the tools that we need to enforce vehicles and bikes and everything,” he said, adding that enforcing an ordinance that has not been used in 25 years could require more active traffic stops and officer time. Councilors and the chief discussed enforcement discretion for juvenile riders and emphasized that the borough does not intend to target children. “I’m not interested in the 12‑year‑old kid on a pedal bike getting a ticket,” one councilor said, and the chief recommended using officer discretion. Why it matters: Councilors framed the issue as a public‑safety concern after accounts that some riders might be operating faster, higher‑powered bikes in residential areas. The council asked staff and the chief to clarify regulatory definitions and enforcement options at a future meeting. Details and next steps: Council members were told that state or local vehicle code definitions determine whether a powered bike is treated as a bicycle, motor‑driven cycle or vehicle; the chief said differences in motor wattage (750 watts v. models nearer 1,500 watts) can be decisive. Police asked residents to report incidents promptly and to provide video when available; the chief said repeated complaints in a focused area would prompt targeted patrols similar to past enforcement efforts for fireworks. No new ordinance was introduced or adopted at this meeting. The discussion closed with councilors and staff agreeing to follow up with clarifying language and to continue relying on resident reports and officer discretion in the interim.