Canonsburg police warn of surge in e-bike crashes
Parents urged to educate themselves before buying
Canonsburg police are urging parents to take a closer look at the electric bikes and electric motorcycles their children are riding after two children were injured Saturday when their e-bikes collided with a motorist in a parking lot.
“It’s a big problem, not just here in the borough but everywhere,” said Canonsburg Police Chief Alex Coghill. “People have been saying it for the longest time that somebody’s going to get hurt, somebody’s going to get killed and we just had two kids who got hurt. Thank God they weren’t killed. It could have very easily been a different story.”
The children, ages 8 and 12, are recovering from their injuries, and the driver involved in the accident will not face charges.
Coghill said the police department is seeing more children operating high-powered e-bikes and electric motorcycles that they are too young to legally ride, and many are riding recklessly.
The department recently posted a warning on social media aimed at parents.
“The point here is before making the purchase, know what your responsibilities and rights are under the law. Consult (Pennsylvania) Vehicle Code and local ordinances,” the Facebook post advised.
Currently, under Pennsylvania law, a rider has to be at least 16 to operate an e-bike. The bikes must weigh less than 100 pounds and have lights, operable pedals and an electric motor 750 watts or less. An e-bike can’t go faster than 20 mph under motor power only, according to state law.
E-bikes are allowed anywhere a traditional bicycle is allowed.
A new report from the American College of Surgeons warned that e-bike regulations have not kept pace with the technology, putting young riders at greater risk.
Because legislation and has struggled to keep up with the surge in popularity in e-bikes, high-powered e-bikes are frequently marketed and sold to unsuspecting parents as simple e-bikes.
Trauma centers report a spike in severe injuries among children, treating crashes like motor vehicle collisions rather than standard bicycle.
According to the report, more than 20,000 people are injured while riding electric bicycles annually with approximately 3,000 individuals requiring hospitalization, and this is likely underreported.
In 2024, Pennsylvania state police investigated 345 vehicle crashes involving e-bikes, which accounted for about 27% of all bicycle-related crashes.
There were two e-bike fatalities, and 56 e-bike riders suffered serious injuries.
“Parents and family members need to educate themselves on what they’re buying. Nobody wants to spend a lot of money and realize their kid can’t ride this, or they’re going to be stopped by the police,” said Coghill.
Coghill said the police department has launched a social media campaign to emphasize the dangers of reckless driving and to remind riders that e-bikes are legally subject to the same traffic laws as standard bicycles.
“We need parents to educate their kids that a bicycle is a vehicle and it’s dangerous if it’s used in the wrong way. If you’re riding an e-bike, you have to observe all of the traffic regulations – you have to stop at stop signs, you can’t weave in and out of traffic, you can’t dart out from parked cars, you’ve got to go the speed limit. We’re seeing kids popping wheelies, not observing traffic regulations, and it’s really dangerous,” said Coghill.
The police department also is coordinating a workshop with state Rep. Jason Ortitay to address legislation that would make riding e-bike safer.
And Coghill said Canonsburg Borough Council plans to meet with officials from Canon-McMillan School District to coordinate the distribution of educational flyers regarding e-bike safety.
“I think the biggest part of this is reaching the parents and having them educate their children, and have them buy the right bike with the right equipment,” said Coghill.