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Councilors weigh banning electric bikes from Wilkes-Barre business district sidewalks
Summary
Councilors discussed restricting electric bicycles in the downtown business district, focusing on sidewalk bans and using Business Improvement District borders for enforcement; Mr. Barrett said he will circulate a draft ordinance and members said education and police equipment could aid enforcement.
Wilkes-Barre City Councilors discussed whether to restrict electric-bicycle use in the city’s downtown business district, including possible bans on sidewalks and use of Business Improvement District (BID) boundaries to define enforcement zones.
"I had a recent close encounter with one in the business district," Mr. Barrett said, urging the council to consider local limits that would apply in the downtown area even as state rules continue to govern e-bike operation elsewhere. He said he would email a draft ordinance he has prepared so members could review language used by other municipalities.
Speakers noted that while state law regulates e-bike operation broadly, municipalities can restrict use on sidewalks and within defined business districts. Charlie suggested the city could use BID borders to set downtown limits: "We can use the borders of the BID, right? The improvement business district," he said.
Councilors emphasized that successful regulation would require education and enforcement; they noted that equipping police with e-bikes could help officers enforce rules and respond quickly. Members asked staff to collect ordinance examples from other municipalities and review enforcement options before drafting proposed local rules.
No formal motion or vote on an ordinance is recorded in the provided transcript; Mr. Barrett agreed to circulate a draft to fellow councilors.
