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Council, police debate lowering unposted side‑street speed limits to 15 mph and stepped-up e-bike enforcement
Summary
Council members and the police chief discussed proposing a borough ordinance to set unposted side‑street speed limits at 15 mph and reported stepped-up enforcement and possible seizure of illegal e-scooters; the police chief cited recent ticketing and overtime figures to show enforcement activity.
Council members and the police chief discussed boroughwide traffic safety measures after a recent serious crash and increased scooter and ebike use near schools.
The chief told council: "25 miles an hour is way too fast on our side streets. I'm in full agreement with lowering the speed limit down to 15 if we can do that with an ordinance." He said officers have been enforcing micromobility laws, that some electric scooters are illegal for public use, and that the department has written about 200 tickets in the prior month. He also said part‑time officers helped reduce overtime costs following a new collective-bargaining arrangement.
Council members asked the solicitor and chief to draft an ordinance to set default speed limits on unposted side streets and to continue public education about ebike and scooter laws. The chief warned that the department may begin seizing illegal scooters to prevent further harm if education and enforcement do not reduce risky riding.
No ordinance was adopted at the meeting; council requested the solicitor prepare proposed language for a July agenda.
