Injuries and deaths involving e-bikes are rising sharply as local and state lawmakers struggle to keep up with the fast-growing technology and concerns over where they can legally operate. The Schuylkill River Trail is one of the Philadelphia region’s most popular destinations for walkers, runn ers and cyclists. But the growing number of electric-powered vehicles using the trail is raising safety concerns among trail users, advocates and lawmakers. During a visit to the trail, the NBC10 Investigators used a radar gun and observed riders traveling faster than the trail’s posted 15 m.p.h. speed limit. The vehicles included e-bikes, e-motorcycles and e-scooters all sharing space with pedestrians and traditional cyclists. This e-scooter crashed into John Lattanzio as he rode his bicycle home on the Schuylkill River Trail. “They are different vehicles altogether,” said John Boyle of the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia. “They’re basically electric dirt bikes.” Not all electric-powered vehicles are treated the same under Pennsylvania law. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, an e-bike is a power-assisted bicycle weighing less than 100 pounds. E-bikes are generally legal to operate in Pennsylvania when riders follow applicable laws. Heavier and faster e-motorcycles require registration and insurance. Not all electric-powered vehicles are treated the same under Pennsylvania law. Often foldable and lighter, e-scooters face even stricter restrictions. Under Pennsylvania law, they are not legally permitted to operate on public roads or sidewalks. John Lattanzio knows the dangers firsthand. An e-scooter rider crashed into him last year as he rode home on the Schuylkill River Trail. Photos Lattanzio shared from the aftermath show the injuries he suffered. He broke multiple bones and doctors told him the force of the collision resembled a car crash. “I was kind of like half unconscious,” Lattanzio said, recalling the crash. Not all electric-powered vehicles are treated the same under Pennsylvania law. The recovery took months. “[It] took a toll, you know, trauma-wise. It was a couple months, obviously, physically to get back to normal,” he said. The issue extends beyond shared-use trails. PennDOT data obtained by the NBC10 Investigators show crashes, injuries and deaths involving electric-powered vehicles are increasing statewide. While PennDOT does not break out crash data for every type of electric vehicle, the agency’s e-bike data show a sharp rise in injuries. According to PennDOT, e-bike rider injuries increased 40% statewide from 2024 to 2025. The number of e-bike rider deaths also rose significantly. PennDOT reported two e-bike rider fatalities in 2024 and 12 in 2025. According to PennDOT, e-bike rider injuries increased 40% statewide from 2024 to 2025. The number of e-bike rider deaths also rose significantly. PennDOT reported two e-bike rider fatalities in 2024 and 12 in 2025. Those totals do not include e-motorcycle riders. State lawmakers are also considering new restrictions. Two bills that would regulate e-bikes and establish fines are currently before a Senate transportation committee. Philadelphia City Council is weighing a proposal that would require licenses for some e-bike riders. The legislation, introduced by Democratic Councilmember Jeffery Young, would create an e-bike delivery license aimed at commercial delivery riders who frequently use electric-powered vehicles throughout the city. The NBC10 Investigators used a radar gun and observed riders traveling faster than the trail’s posted 15 mph speed limit. Young said the goal is to improve safety while ensuring riders understand traffic laws. “We want to make sure that people make a living, but we want make sure they understand the rules of the road, and that those companies that hire these folks are held accountable when there are crashes,” Young said. Young said the proposal is focused on food delivery riders because his Center City district has experienced an increase in that type of activity. He acknowledged concerns about speeding e-bikes and other electric-powered vehicles but said regulating speed is an issue the state should address. “The e-bikes are moving very, very fast on sidewalks and are, you know, it’s very dangerous for pedestrians that are walking in our cities,” Young said. Representatives for Uber Eats and DoorDash, two large food-delivery companies, did not respond to requests for comment. In New Jersey, a new law that took effect in July requires all e-bike riders to register their vehicles with the state, similar to motor vehicle registration requirements. Montgomery County took action last year by increasing the fine to $300 for operating any vehicle above 15 mph on a shared-use path. County Commissioner Neil Makhija said he believes the measure is helping improve safety. However, he said the county is not yet tracking how many citations police officers and park rangers are issuing under the ordinance. Lattanzio believes more people will get hurt unless regulations and enforcement keep certain machines off trails and, in some cases, off the road. “I’m not going to change how I live my life because of this,” he said. “It is a little bit scary now to be on a trail where you’re not separated, but you’re having people fly by.” The NBC10 Investigators can be reached at [email protected] and [email protected]. Pennsylvania Jul 25 Boy injured in e-bike crash in Darby Borough, Pennsylvania Pennsylvania Mar 19 Thinking of riding an e-bike in Pennsylvania? Here are the rules first New Jersey Jul 19 What New Jersey's new e-bike law means for riders Delaware Jun 21 66-year-old woman dies after e-bike crash in Rehoboth Beach, police say West Philadelphia Jun 20 E-bike rider struck and killed in West Philadelphia on Saturday, police say Burlington County Jun 17 NJ community mourning loss of high school student after deadly e-bike crash ...read more read less