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Amid the issues regarding e-bikes and e-scooters, there is room for additional laudable thought like that of Jim Patterson, chairman of the Logan Township supervisors.
Even though the issues, foremost, are state ones because of the public roads, highways, bridges and other infrastructure components involved, there still is room for local-level communities to offer suggestions and alternative ideas -- even to loudly oppose or protest what state officials envision doing.
In most cases, the more ideas put forth, the better the chance that the right sought-after solution will be achieved.
Patterson knows that, as do most other elected community leaders statewide. However, unlike Patterson, some elected leaders remain timid about presenting their ideas, fearing outright rejection.
In such cases, timidity deprives constituents of a degree of opportunity to help guide decision-making processes, and that should be regarded as unfair.
That's true regarding the e-bike and e-scooter issues garnering so much discussion -- and complaints -- these days.
Members of the public, no matter their opinion regarding the bikes and scooters in question, should have the opportunity to express their views.
Meanwhile, elected officials on the statewide level, where all e-bike and e-scooter regulations ultimately will be finalized, should use what they're hearing on the local level as a basis for the laws they will be assembling for the commonwealth in general.
Of course, not everyone will be happy, regardless of the provisions enacted.
What Patterson has suggested is that Blair County municipalities convene a task force to weigh the possibility of developing a generalized ordinance to regulate e-bikes -- and, presumably, e-scooters.
Patterson asked township police Chief Devon Moran to launch the effort by discussing it with fellow municipal police chiefs, to gain their perspectives. Patterson, who referred to an e-bike accident that claimed the life of a 14-year-old boy, revealed that he himself almost was victimized by an e-bike operator recently on Altoona's 17th Street Bridge.
According to Patterson, his vehicle and the e-bike in question nearly collided head-on because the e-bike was traveling in the middle of his lane, going the wrong way.
E-bike operators also have been observed running red lights in the township and crossing lanes illegally, as well as being operated on highways on which they are prohibited.
Many more fatalities and serious injuries seem likely if the situation isn't gotten fully under control quickly, and the same is true regarding e-scooters.
Unfortunately, the state House waited until nearly the end of the current legislative session before approving, by a vote of 176-27, a measure barring youths under 16 from riding e-scooters and mandating helmets for riders under 18.
It was a sneaky way to avoid angering anyone right before Election Day. Observers agreed that it was unlikely the measure, which has been forwarded to the Senate, will be passed prior to the end of the current legislative session.
If that's the case, the bill will have to be re-introduced, meaning it could be months before final action is forthcoming.
And, since the scooter legislation doesn't cover e-bikes, that further complicates the overall scooter-and-bike-regulation landscape. In fact, because of their similar features, the scooters and bikes should be lumped together.
Regardless of what's going on in Harrisburg, there's a place for Patterson's idea and effort. Hopefully, lawmakers in the state capital will take notice.