E-bike, dirt bike riders flee traffic stop in Upper Providence, police say

A recent incident in which riders allegedly fled a traffic stop in Montgomery County is shedding light on e-bike safety concerns.

The incident unfolded on Friday, April 24, in Upper Providence Township, Pennsylvania. A police officer spotted an e-bike rider and a dirt bike rider along Route 113 near Paperbirch Drive. Investigators said neither vehicle had registration plates or rear lights.

“As he got closer to them, he realized it was a dirt bike and an e-bike riding alongside one another and it didn’t have any rear lighting on them,” Upper Providence Police Lieutenant Ryan Sheehan told NBC10.

When the officer activated their emergency lights, both riders switched off their headlights and tried to evade the officer, according to investigators.

The dirt bike rider continued south on Route 113 while the e-bike rider turned towards Arader’s Tree Farm, police said. The officer did not pursue either rider because it was too dangerous, according to officials.

The officer later spotted the dirt bike rider at a Wawa on Route 29 but the rider once again fled when the officer tried to stop them, according to investigators.

The dirt bike rider was wearing a white sweatshirt as well as a white helmet with the number 15 displayed on the number panel, police said. Police did not release a description of the e-bike rider.

As police continue to search for the two riders, they are urging parents of children who ride dirt bikes and e-bikes to speak with them about responsible and safe riding practices.

“A lot of kids have these e-bikes and I think there are a lot of parents that don’t realize that they’re not allowed to be out on the road if they’re less than 16 years of age,” Lt. Sheehan said.

Jeff Lorish, the owner of Bikesport, a bike shop based in Trappe, Pennsylvania, told NBC10 e-bikes account for 20 to 30% of the store’s overall sales.

With the recent rise in popularity, here are some guidelines to help riders stay safe and informed about e-bike regulations.

Know equipment and registration requirements

Officials shared that you should ensure your e-bikes meet the required equipment standards, including brakes, lights and reflectors.

Some e-bikes may even require registration. You can check with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) to see if your bike needs to be registered.

Know where you can ride

It is important to know where it’s legal to operate your e-bike, according to police. Some trails and roads may have restrictions on e-bike use.

While these e-devices are advertised as transportation and “child-friendly,” the state of Pennsylvania treats them like motor vehicles on public roads, requiring helmets and the rider to be 16 years of age.

Officials said e-bikes should be used on private property, such as a driveway or yard.

Know the safety rules

When riding your e-bike on roads and trails, remember to always follow the rules and wear safety gear.

– Always wear a helmet

– Never ride with another person on the same bike or scooter.

E-bikes follow all the same traffic laws as drivers, including:

• Stopping at stop signs and red lights
• Riding in the same direction as traffic
• Yielding to pedestrians
• Using lights at night
• Not riding on sidewalks in business districts
• Not weaving between cars or cutting through parking lots
• Not riding against traffic
• Not using phones while riding