Oct. 6, 2025 -- The Lackawanna County Highway Safety Program urges residents to review the Pennsylvania Micromobility Fact Sheet issued by PennDOT and the Department of Transportation Safety. With the rise in use of e-bikes, electric scooters and other micromobility devices across the county, understanding how these vehicles fit into Pennsylvania traffic laws is more important than ever — for both riders and motorists.

What is micromobility?
Micromobility refers to lightweight, low-speed transportation devices, such as:

Electric scooters (e-scooters)
Electric bicycles (e-bikes)
Self-balancing devices (hoverboards, one-wheels)
Traditional bicycles
Other small, often electric-powered personal transporters

These devices offer convenient and eco-friendly alternatives for local travel, but they also pose unique challenges for public safety, emergency response and roadway sharing.

Key takeaways:
Not all micromobility devices are treated the same under Pennsylvania law. For example:

Class 1 and 2 e-bikes are allowed on most roadways and bike paths.
Class 3 e-bikes and motor-driven cycles may have additional restrictions.
Electric scooters are not yet legal for public roadway use unless explicitly authorized by local ordinance or pilot programs.

Sidewalk safety: Many micromobility devices are not permitted on sidewalks, especially in business districts. Riders must yield to pedestrians and obey local signage and traffic signals.
Helmet and lighting requirements: While helmet use is strongly encouraged for all riders, it is required for riders under age 12 and for some classes of e-bike and scooter users. All devices must be equipped with front lights and rear reflectors when operated after dark.
Legal age and licensing: Some micromobility vehicles may require the operator to be at least 16 years of age and/or possess a valid driver’s license. Riders should confirm the legal requirements before operating any powered device.

What you can do?
Parents: Talk to your kids about safe riding habits and ensure their devices comply with the law.
Drivers: Stay alert for smaller vehicles, especially near intersections, driveways and during nighttime hours.
Riders: Respect pedestrians, obey all traffic laws and be aware of your surroundings.

The full Pennsylvania Micromobility Fact Sheet is also available on the PennDOT website.