The Backward Bans: Why Blocking E-Bikes and Scooters from Trails Misses the Point

Across the country, electric bikes and scooters are becoming more than just a trend — they’re a growing, vital part of modern transportation and recreation. But some municipalities are pushing back, clinging to outdated rules that don't reflect today’s mobility landscape.

Take Forks Township, PA, for example. They've banned e-bikes and electric scooters from bike trails under the claim that they "interfere with others’ enjoyment." But let’s be honest — this is a close-minded and counterproductive approach.

These devices are bikes, just with a motor assist. Many are speed-limited and designed to be ridden safely alongside traditional bikes. In fact, e-bikes make up a rapidly increasing share of all bikes sold in the U.S. They help older riders stay active, offer commuters a green alternative, and yes, they get kids off the couch and outside.

That last part is especially important: kids barely go outside anymore. When they do find something active and exciting — like riding a scooter with friends or exploring trails on a pedal-assist e-bike — they're quickly met with restrictive, arbitrary rules. That’s not safety — that’s discouragement.

The irony is clear: in the name of “enjoyment,” the township is denying enjoyment to an entirely different group of people. Instead of finding smart ways to accommodate this evolving landscape, they’ve chosen the lazy route — just ban it.

We should be encouraging outdoor activity, innovation, and sustainable transit, not shutting it down out of fear or misunderstanding. It’s time to stop treating electric bikes and scooters like a threat and start treating them like what they are: part of the solution.