Cranberry Township cracking down on e-bike violations

The Cranberry Township Police Department says it will enforce e-bike violations.

Current state law says riders must be at least 16 years old and travel no faster than 20 miles per hour.

Cranberry Township Police Chief Ken Ruckel says despite months of educational initiatives, signage and speaking with parents and children, illegal e-bike use continues to be a problem in public parks and largely on secondary, neighborhood roads.

“We’re getting a lot of traffic complaints about children who aren’t yielding to stop signs and violating other traffic laws such as running across the street and causing near accidents,” Chief Ruckel said.

Depending on the circumstances, police say enforcement may include citations and impoundment of the vehicle. In addition, both children and parents could face possible towing, impoundment, and hazardous item recycling fees.

Neighbors like Matt Fulkrod say e-bikes are a problem on his street.

“These children come flying around the corner all the time,” Fulkrod said. “They’re just all over the road, all the time. And they’ll go four deep up the entire street.”

Police say e-bikes can damage parks, landscaping, private and public property.

In addition to stricter enforcement, police are encouraging parents to speak with their children about the laws around e-bikes.

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