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Board weighs park restrictions and signage for e-bikes and e-scooters; police to help with guidance
Summary
After Parks & Recreation recommended prohibiting e-bikes and e-scooters in township parks, the board discussed limitations on regulating road use (per PennDOT) and favored signage/education plus targeted park restrictions. Staff will coordinate signage with police and monitor enforcement issues.
The West Goshen Board of Supervisors on July 21 discussed possible regulations for e-bikes and e-scooters and agreed to pursue signage and park-specific restrictions rather than a broad road ban.
Staff said Pennsylvania Department of Transportation rules permit certain low-speed e-bikes on roadways if they meet state definitions (governor-limited to 20 mph); the township's park code currently prohibits motor vehicles and motorized equipment, but e-bikes may not fall into that definition. Parks & Recreation voted unanimously to recommend prohibiting e-bikes and e-scooters from the township's park system to avoid liability and preserve trail design assumptions.
Board members and the police chief discussed practical enforcement challenges; the chief said officers respond to complaints and that citations are possible when a device is not road-legal. Several supervisors favored a phased approach: educational outreach and signs in parks with posted speed limits for electric devices (for example, 10—15 mph on trails) and continued monitoring by parks staff and police.
The board directed staff to pursue signage for parks and to work with the police on guidance and outreach; no ordinance was adopted at the meeting.
