Can you really get in trouble for using electric scooters in PA? (Philadelphia: appointed)

[moshywilly]

I am from NJ originally. I live in the Bay Area I commute from the East Bay to San Francisco for work every day by train and I take my electric scooter with me and I ride it in San Francisco from the train to my workplace. I absolutely love electric scooters and it is much more fun than just walking or taking a car, and no I am trying to use a scooter as a car substitute.

I love PA (specifically southeastern PA and Lancaster area, which I visited) and I was very disappointed to find out electric scooters are illegal on sidewalks and on the roads. I plan on living in a semi-rural, in southeastern PA, and there are plenty of walkable historical towns in the area. Are there many bike trails in the area too? I love electric scooters despite not being able to get the exercise you get by pedaling a bike, but I do not want to have to give up an electric scooter for the sake of PA laws. I really hope I can find plenty of places to ride electric scooters. California is lax about electric scooters and plus California is a lawless state in general where you can get away with petty things.

I did see articles online from this year that cities in PA are considering making electric scooters legal like in Pittsburgh, but it seems like Phili itself is not progressing that way.

[RetireinPA]

pretty much ANYTHING with wheels other than baby strollers are illegal on sidwalks in PA (local jurisdiction)


but ANYTHING powered in PA must have some form of registration - even mopeds but somehow e-bikes which can drive 100% on the motor are exempt.


with the exception of dollys, any wheels that hit the road - car truck trailer motorbikes - must have registration (which means yes, if you dolly a car, the car much be registered)

[jtab4994]

I did see articles online from this year that cities in PA are considering making electric scooters legal like in Pittsburgh, but it seems like Phili itself is not progressing that way.

If you're going to do it in Philly the cops will absolutely not hassle you for driving an electric scooter. In Philly it's more likely you'll get hassled by thugs as you ride your scooter, than getting hassled by cops.

That being said, a new law in PA covering ATV's has been passed that allows cops to seize those vehicles if they are driven on the street, but the law only applies to cities, not boroughs or townships. Such a law might get enforced in a place like Scranton or Shamokin but less likely in Philly.

https://www.wnep.com/article/news/lo...8-eac0ad1e6fb0

[moshywilly]

Originally Posted by RetireinPA

pretty much ANYTHING with wheels other than baby strollers are illegal on sidwalks in PA (local jurisdiction)


but ANYTHING powered in PA must have some form of registration - even mopeds but somehow e-bikes which can drive 100% on the motor are exempt.


with the exception of dollys, any wheels that hit the road - car truck trailer motorbikes - must have registration (which means yes, if you dolly a car, the car much be registered)

Yeah really strange, I read online that e-bikes are legal and e-bikes are heavier, sigh.

[moshywilly]

Originally Posted by jtab4994

If you're going to do it in Philly the cops will absolutely not hassle you for driving an electric scooter. In Philly it's more likely you'll get hassled by thugs as you ride your scooter, than getting hassled by cops.

That being said, a new law in PA covering ATV's has been passed that allows cops to seize those vehicles if they are driven on the street, but the law only applies to cities, not boroughs or townships. Such a law might get enforced in a place like Scranton or Shamokin but less likely in Philly.

https://www.wnep.com/article/news/lo...8-eac0ad1e6fb0

I ride my e-scooter in SF and even bring it on the train, and I never had thugs bother me and nobody as ever tried to steal my e-scooter from me.

[NewtownBucks]

Originally Posted by jtab4994

If you're going to do it in Philly the cops will absolutely not hassle you for driving an electric scooter. In Philly it's more likely you'll get hassled by thugs as you ride your scooter, than getting hassled by cops.

That being said, a new law in PA covering ATV's has been passed that allows cops to seize those vehicles if they are driven on the street, but the law only applies to cities, not boroughs or townships. Such a law might get enforced in a place like Scranton or Shamokin but less likely in Philly.

https://www.wnep.com/article/news/lo...8-eac0ad1e6fb0

Yeah, the concern in Philly is the dangerous mobs on dirt bikes and ATVs. They are going to kill people eventually. Philly police don't have time for electric scooters.

[thedirtypirate]

To answer the original question: no. I'm pretty sure there is a pilot program going on in Pittsburgh that has legalized them. I see people all the time riding them in Philadelphia and I highly doubt anyone's getting a ticket for them.

[RetireinPA]

Originally Posted by jtab4994

If you're going to do it in Philly the cops will absolutely not hassle you for driving an electric scooter. In Philly it's more likely you'll get hassled by thugs as you ride your scooter, than getting hassled by cops.

That being said, a new law in PA covering ATV's has been passed that allows cops to seize those vehicles if they are driven on the street, but the law only applies to cities, not boroughs or townships. Such a law might get enforced in a place like Scranton or Shamokin but less likely in Philly.

https://www.wnep.com/article/news/lo...8-eac0ad1e6fb0

local jurisdictions are now allowed to allow ATVs on the local roads - they must be registered with the DCNR and of course, must have insurance. each locatility does this to their own flavor...farmington twp where my northern house it, allows no atvs, but our roads are rarely traveled and are dirt/oil stone - perfect for atcs. yet the town of renovo pa, allows atvs on every street. the locals OF COURSE abuse this, but 'the cop' is now mostly retired and enforcement comes from outside. YMMV.

[Ruth4Truth]

Originally Posted by moshywilly

I ride my e-scooter in SF and even bring it on the train, and I never had thugs bother me and nobody as ever tried to steal my e-scooter from me.

Sounds like SF is a better bet for you in terms of personal safety.