City of Lebanon to restrict e-bikes at parks, downtown

Lebanon City Council will vote to pass two ordinances that would limit the use of e-bikes and similar vehicles in the downtown area and at city parks.

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  Haley O'Brien joined WITF in 2026. A native of Scranton, she enjoys exploring Pennsylvania's diverse communities. Haley previously worked at NPR/PBS stations in Northeast Pennsylvania and the Lehigh Valley, and has won awards for video storytelling and beat reporting.

Lebanon City Council will soon vote on two ordinances regulating e-bikes and similar, increasingly popular motorized transportation methods in the city’s downtown and at parks.

Police Chief Eric Sims said the new laws were proposed after pedestrians raised issues about electric bikes and scooters on sidewalks.

“Some of the folks frequenting the shops downtown were nearly being struck by e-bikes, e-scooters and other modes of transportation alike,” he said.

One ordinance would prohibit any type of motorized or gas-powered transportation from city sidewalks and the downtown area, apart from mobility devices and strollers.

The second would limit the use of those vehicles at city parks to roads and parking areas to reduce disruptions on walking trails.

Council members advanced both ordinances after a ‘first reading’ at the last city council meeting Aug. 24. The council will have to approve them a second time at the next meeting Sept. 21 for them to become law.

E-bikes can go more than 20 miles per hour and, compared to a bicycle, they don’t require as much effort to ride. It’s become many people’s primary transportation method.

The vehicles have become an issue in several communities across Pennsylvania, with crashes involving e-bikes resulting in serious injury or death. A 12-year-old was hit and killed by a car while riding earlier this summer.

Two state lawmakers have proposed changes to Pa. Law, including a house bill that would adopt a three-class definition for e-bikes.

Norlis Fontanez lives in the city and rides her e-bike to work downtown in the warmer months.

“It will affect… a lot of people, because right now the gas price is getting too high,” she said.

John Lux, owner of Deluxx Bikes across the street from city hall, sells bicycles and e-bikes.

“I’ve sold quite a few e-bikes to guys in their 70s and 80s because they needed to get around,” he said. “It’s not a bad option for somebody if you don’t have far to go.”

But Lux has seen safety issues right outside his shop.

“People won’t pay attention until they get cited,” he said. “It will be interesting to see how it goes.”

Pennsylvania law currently allows e-bikes to travel up to 20 miles per hour. Riders must be at least16.

The Pennsylvania Vehicle Code prohibits bicycles and pedal cycles from business districts.

Sims said the city’s ordinances include newer modes of transportation, like motorized bikes and hoverboards.

“The reason for this is to protect the pedestrians on the sidewalks,” Sims said. “Folks are more than welcome to ride their bicycles on the sidewalk anywhere outside the downtown district where there’s less foot traffic.”