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Accidents between the new motorized/electric bikes and larger vehicles have been ticking up in recent months and that has Altoona police on a campaign to educate riders and, when necessary, issue fines.
Safety -- for the bike riders who are often teenagers and for the general public -- is at the heart of the matter, said Sgt. Dusten Thompson.
"Our goal is not to fine these kids and take their bikes," Thompson said. "We'd like them to understand it's not a safe act."
In the last three to four months, there has been an increase in the number of electric- and motorized-bike riders, which has led to several accidents -- one involving a 17-year-old rider who was struck by an SUV.
The teen was injured and transported to UPMC for treatment, Thompson said, noting that more often than not, the bike rider suffers injuries that require medical treatment.
Thompson said he and other officers fear the day that "someone unfortunately loses their life in an accident that could have been prevented."
The classification of the bike matters, Thompson said, noting many parents are purchasing the new bikes for their children without knowing exactly what they're getting.
Legal e-bikes
Electric or e-bikes are a bicycle with an electric assist. The operator must be at least 16 years old, Thompson said, pointing out police have found kids much younger riding e-bikes in the city.
In addition, the e-bike must weigh less than 100 pounds, have a maximum speed of 20 mph with the motor engaged and the motor can be no more than 750 watts.
E-bikes also have operable pedals and can be ridden on the street or sidewalk -- except in the business district.
Proper lighting -- such as a headlamp and brake lights -- are required.
Legal motored bikes
A motorized bicycle is classified as a bicycle with a gas engine.
While the operator must be at least 16 years old, that operator must also have a valid driver's license and obey all traffic laws.
The maximum speed on these bikes is 25 mph with the engine engaged and the engine can not exceed 49 cc. These, too, require proper lighting and can only be driven on the street.
What many people don't realize, though, Thompson said, is that these motorized bikes require registration and insurance, the same as a car, SUV or truck.
Failure to follow the rules
Police are not only concentrating on educating riders about the safety aspects of the bikes, they're explaining the consequences of using the bikes illegally.
"Our goal is to teach safe practices," Thompson said, so police don't have to resort to citations. But explaining the costs of the fines -- under PennDOT's vehicle code and thus including court costs and other fees -- can be eye opening.
The lowest regular traffic citation is about $25, Thompson said. Adding in the fees can take that fine to $100 or more.
In a worst-case scenario, Thompson said if police stop a 15-year-old found to be operating a motorized bicycle, without insurance, without registration and who ran a stop light, the citations could include reckless driving, driving without a license, operating a vehicle without insurance, operating a vehicle without registration, failure to stop at a stop light and underage driving, to name at least six citations. The fines would add up to more than $1,000, he said.
In addition, the rider could have their driver's license suspended even before they have a valid license.
And, the rider's parents could face charges as well.
Adults who use e-bikes or motorized bikes also have to follow the rules, Thompson said, noting that this summer an e-bike rider crashed into a parked vehicle. That rider was transported to UPMC for treatment of injuries and was subsequently fined for DUI.
For adults who may have their license suspended or revoked for other violations, using a motorized bike is not an option, either, due to the valid license requirement.
Seeing is safety
One issue seen with e-bikes, motorized bikes and even with the illegal use of dirt bikes and scooters is the lack of proper lighting, Thompson said.
These bikes are being ridden around the city at night and drivers in cars, SUVs and trucks can't see them.
Thompson said he's seen riders not because they have lights on, but because of the "shadows" created by the bike breaking up a light pattern.
"You need to have a light," he said.
APD won't pursue riders if it is deemed unsafe, Thompson said, but officers did pursue a group of dirt-bike riders who were operating the bikes illegally around the 4D's Lounge, on the 1800 block of Logan Avenue. They were caught because one of the passengers wanted off and the driver had to stop, he said.
Not just a city problem
Safety issues over electric and motorized bikes is not simply a city or even a county issue.
"The technology and the bikes that are coming out ... laws aren't keeping up," Thompson said. "It's a statewide problem."
State lawmakers have proposed a number of updates to the law regarding the new bikes, including increasing the standard fines and road restrictions.
Until the laws are updated, though, APD and other officers will continue to educate riders and issue citations where needed.
As for underage riders or young riders who are reckless, Thompson said it comes back to parents.
"As parents, we need to take back control," he said.
Anyone with questions about the electric and motorized bike guidelines should contact the Altoona Police Department or scan the QR code found on the APD Facebook page that links to PennDOT. PennDOT classifies the variety of bikes under "micromobility" vehicles and offers an information sheet describing each classification and its corresponding vehicle code.