E-scooter regulations pass state House
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Legislation that would establish the state's first legal framework for electric scooters has passed the state House of Representatives by a vote of 176-27.
House Bill 1633, sponsored by Rep. Emily Kinkead, D-Bellevue, passed the House by a 176-27 vote with Rep. Kathy Rapp, R-Warren, among the votes in favor of the legislation. House Bill 1633 would create statewide safety standards for the operation, purchase and individual ownership of e-scooters, while allowing most cities the option to implement shared e-scooter programs. Although e-scooters are already widely used in Pennsylvania, state law does not provide a framework for their legal operation.
"Despite the fact that e-scooters are currently illegal to ride on public streets, they are becoming increasingly popular across our state's transportation landscape," Kinkead said. "While Pennsylvanians deserve to have access to every kind of mobility option, riders, pedestrians, law enforcement and local governments need legal standards that prioritize public safety for these devices. This bill is a practical and balanced solution, addressing serious safety concerns without shutting the door on this emerging micro-mobility option."
The legislation passed following months of discussion, including a public hearing and a voting meeting with the House Transportation Committee featuring testimony from transportation experts, municipal leaders, industry representatives and safety advocates.
The legislation specifically does not include pedalcycles with electric assist, electric personal assistive mobility devices, motorcycles, motorized pedalcycles, motor-driven cycles or motor vehicles. It will require a portion of driver’s tests to include at least one question regarding a driver’s ability to drive safely near pedestrians, pedalcycles and other road users. State driver’s manuals will also include a section regarding sharing the road.
For e-scooters, there will be no title or registration requirement. E-scooters may not be operated faster than 25 miles an hour on a pedalcycle lane on a highway, road or path, and would not be allowed to be ridden by anyone under the age of 16. Riders under 18 years old would be required to wear a helmet, while e-scooters would be limited to the number for which the scooter is designed.
E-scooter riders have all rights and have to abide by all traffic requirements. E-scooters will not be operated on sidewalks, though they can be stored upright and docked in a designated parking area. Violators can be ticketed and fined, with e-scooters able to be confiscated if the user is under the age of 18 and the youth’s legal guardian can’t be identified. The scooter would be returned within 30 days if the legal guardian provides identification to the police officer or department, shows proof of ownership, and pays the fine.
Kinkead said her legislation was originally inspired by Pittsburgh's two-year shared e-scooter pilot program, which saw more than 212,000 people sign up for the service and more than 1 million trips taken across the city. She credited state Rep. Jennifer O'Mara and state Sen. Tim Kearney, both D-Delaware, for helping broaden the bill to include more robust provisions related to private e-scooters, in addition to shared programs.
"This bill is a critical public safety measure," O'Mara said. "Last year our Delaware County community endured an awful tragedy when a 12-year-old girl died after an e-scooter accident, and we want to prevent tragedies like this in every Pennsylvania community. I greatly appreciate partnering with Representative Kinkead to advance this much-needed public safety bill."
House Bill 1633 now heads to the state Senate for consideration.