Abington Township to Consider E-Bike and E-Scooter Ban in Parks

Last Updated on July 23, 2026 by Kristina

ABINGTON TOWNSHIP, Pennsylvania – July 23, 2026: Abington Township officials will hold a public hearing and consider adopting a proposed ordinance that would prohibit e-bikes and e-scooters in township parks and trail systems.

The Board of Commissioners is scheduled to hold the hearing and consider the ordinance for adoption on August 27, 2026. Until the board takes final action, the restriction remains a proposal and is not in effect.

Riders can review the Pennsylvania E-Bike Laws Guide and the broader State-by-State E-Bike Law Guide for additional information about changing state and local rules.

Current status: Proposed. The Abington Township Board of Commissioners is scheduled to hold a public hearing and consider the ordinance for adoption on August 27, 2026, at 7 p.m. If adopted in its current form, the ordinance would take effect immediately.

What Abington Township Is Proposing

The proposal, identified as Ordinance No. 2244, would amend Chapter 158 of the Abington Township Code, which currently regulates ATVs, dirt bikes, motorized scooters and other recreational vehicles.

The amendment would add definitions for electric power-assisted bicycles and electric power-assisted scooters. It would then make it unlawful to operate an e-bike, e-scooter or similarly designed vehicle within the boundaries of a covered park or trail network in Abington Township.

Provision	Proposed rule
Affected devices	E-bikes, e-scooters and similarly designed vehicles
Affected locations	The ordinance’s stated purpose refers to township-owned parks and trail systems, although its operative prohibition uses the broader phrase “any park or trail network” within Abington Township
E-bike definition	A 2- or 3-wheel human-powered vehicle with qualifying wheel dimensions, electric assistance up to 750W, a maximum propelled speed of 20 mph and motor cutoff when the brakes are applied
E-scooter definition	A device with electric assistance up to 300W and a maximum propelled speed of 15 mph
Disability exemption	Devices specifically designed for use by people with disabilities would be exempt
Effective date	Immediately upon enactment, if approved as currently drafted

The draft separately states that e-bike and e-scooter operation on roadways remains subject to the Pennsylvania Vehicle Code.

The Proposed Ban Would Include Regular Legal E-Bikes

One important detail is that the proposed language is not limited to high-powered electric dirt bikes or modified e-motos.

The ordinance’s definition includes an electric bicycle with operable pedals, electric assistance rated at no more than 750W and a maximum motor-powered speed of 20 mph. Those limits closely resemble Pennsylvania’s definition of a legal “pedalcycle with electric assist.”

Under Pennsylvania e-bike law, a qualifying e-bike weighs no more than 100 lb, has 2 or 3 wheels larger than 11 in., has operable pedals, uses a motor rated at no more than 750W and cannot exceed 20 mph on level ground using motor power alone.

That means the Abington proposal would not merely target devices that fall outside the state’s e-bike definition. It would also cover many conventional commuter, recreational, cargo and step-through e-bikes that are otherwise treated as bicycles under state law.

What Locations Would Be Affected?

The township’s public notice describes the measure as a prohibition on e-bikes and e-scooters in township parks. The ordinance’s purpose and introductory language also refer to township-owned parks and trail systems.

However, the operative prohibition uses broader wording. It refers to operating a covered device “within the boundaries of any park or trail network within the Township of Abington.”

Local reporting indicates that county-owned properties such as Lorimer Park would not be covered. The ordinance’s operative language is less specific, so commissioners may need to clarify exactly which parks, trails, connecting routes and access areas would fall under the restriction.

Why Commissioners Are Considering the Restriction

A majority of Abington’s 15-member Board of Commissioners voted on July 9 to move the proposal forward. Commissioners supporting the measure cited concerns about safety and disruption in areas shared by pedestrians, children and other park users.

Abington Township Police had previously warned that increased use of e-bikes and other electric transportation devices was being accompanied by more crashes and questions about where different devices could legally be operated.

The difficulty is that the term “e-bike” is often applied to very different vehicles. A legal pedal-assist bicycle may look similar from a distance to a high-powered electric motorcycle capable of substantially higher speeds.

Some officials have argued that distinguishing among the devices could make a narrower rule difficult to enforce.

Some Cyclists Say the Proposal Is Too Broad

Not every commissioner supported advancing the ordinance. Local bicycle advocates have also asked officials to distinguish slower, legal e-bikes from heavier and more powerful electric motorcycles.

Opponents of a complete ban say pedal-assist bikes can make parks and trails more accessible to older adults, parents with young children and other riders who benefit from motor assistance.

The proposed ordinance includes an exemption for a device specifically designed for use by people with disabilities. It does not separately provide a general exemption for a standard e-bike used by a rider who has a disability or limited mobility.

The Draft May Contain a Vehicle Code Citation Error

The proposed ordinance states that roadway operation is regulated under 75 Pa.C.S.A. §101. Pennsylvania’s electric-bicycle definition appears in §102 of the Vehicle Code.

That appears to be a drafting or citation issue rather than a change in the proposal’s intent. Commissioners may choose to correct or clarify the reference before final adoption.

What Abington Riders Should Know Now

The proposed park ban is not in effect as of July 23, 2026. Riders should continue following posted park rules and applicable Pennsylvania bicycle laws while the ordinance remains under consideration.

The proposal would not rewrite Pennsylvania’s statewide e-bike definition or automatically prohibit legal e-bikes on every public road in Abington. It would create a local restriction for the parks and trails covered by the final ordinance.

Riders should also avoid assuming that every device marketed as an e-bike qualifies as one under Pennsylvania law. Models that exceed the state limits for weight, motor rating or motor-powered speed may fall under different vehicle requirements.

The guide explaining where e-bikes can legally be ridden covers the difference between statewide rules, local ordinances and property-specific trail policies.

Public Hearing and Comment Information

The Abington Township Board of Commissioners is scheduled to hold the public hearing and consider the ordinance for adoption at the following meeting:

• Date: Thursday, August 27, 2026
• Time: 7 p.m.
• Location: Township Municipal Building, Board Room, 2nd Floor, 1176 Old York Road, Abington, PA 19001
• Current action: Public hearing and consideration of adoption

The township says residents may attend in person or virtually. Written comments may also be submitted to the Township Manager on or before August 27. Participation instructions are available in the township’s official public notice for the e-bike ordinance.

What Happens Next?

Commissioners may adopt the ordinance as written, amend it, postpone action or reject it at the August 27 meeting.

If the board adopts the current draft, the restriction would become effective immediately. Riders should therefore check the final ordinance and any new signs or enforcement guidance before visiting an Abington park after the meeting.

Electric Bike Explorer will update this story if commissioners revise the covered locations, add class or speed distinctions, change the disability exemption or take final action. Readers can also follow the latest e-bike news and regulatory updates.

My Take

I understand why township officials want a rule that protects children, pedestrians and other people using narrow or crowded park paths. High-powered e-motos and reckless riding can create real risks, especially when a device’s speed and weight are poorly matched to the space.

My concern is that the current proposal treats an ordinary legal pedal-assist bike much like a faster electric motorcycle. That could remove a useful mobility option for responsible riders without directly addressing the behavior causing the concern.

A more targeted policy could consider posted speed limits, crowded-area dismount zones, class or performance restrictions and stronger enforcement against reckless operation. Whatever approach commissioners choose, the final ordinance should clearly identify the affected properties and give riders an easy way to distinguish a legal e-bike from a prohibited device.

How This Story Was Verified

This report is based on Abington Township’s official July 22 public notice, the complete draft of Ordinance No. 2244, the current township code, Pennsylvania’s official electric-bicycle definition and reliable local reporting about the July 9 commissioners meeting. The proposal has not yet been adopted.

Sources

• Abington Township – Public Notice: E-Bike Ordinance
• Abington Township – Proposed Ordinance No. 2244
• Abington Township Code – Chapter 158, Vehicles, Recreational
• Abington Township Police – Know Before You Ride
• Pennsylvania General Assembly – Vehicle Code Definitions
• The Philadelphia Inquirer – Abington E-Bike Park Proposal