In the near future, I intend to introduce legislation to establish penalties for the illegal and careless operation of electric scooters (e-scooters).

As many of you know, constituents frequently contact our offices raising valid safety concerns, for both motorists and pedestrians, regarding e-scooters as they continue to increase in popularity on our roads and sidewalks. Many are surprised to learn that, despite the widespread use of e-scooters on our roads and sidewalks, these vehicles have not been legalized under Pennsylvania’s Vehicle Code.

Given that e-scooter operation on roads and sidewalks is currently illegal, I believe we need to afford our municipalities and law enforcement with additional tools to cite individuals who create hazardous conditions on our roadways through the illegal use of these vehicles. To this end, my legislation authorizes municipalities to establish local ordinances, including the imposition of fines, for the illegal operation of e-scooters on highways, including state rights-of-way, and on sidewalks.

Additionally, the legislation creates a new, statewide offense for the careless operation of an e-scooter that unintentionally results in bodily injury. This new summary offense would result in the imposition of $100 fine and will hopefully assist law enforcement with penalizing individuals who cause injury through the illegal operation of an e-scooter.

Please join me in co-sponsoring this commonsense legislation that provides our law enforcement with better tools to increase public safety on our roads and sidewalks.