As of early 2025, electric scooters (e-scooters) are still banned in Philadelphia, and across much of Pennsylvania, despite their booming popularity. The core issue is that current laws don’t quite fit these new devices; they’re designed for bicycles or motor vehicles separately. E-scooters, however, are a new invention that simply don’t fall neatly into these old classifications. Read more at philadelphia-future.
Despite their illegal status, you can still spot e-scooters on city streets. But this lack of clear legislation creates significant complications in the event of accidents. Let’s dive deeper into the current situation for e-scooters in Philadelphia.
E-Scooters and Injuries
An e-scooter is slightly larger than a traditional kick scooter. They’re quite convenient for getting around and can be pretty fast. E-scooter rental services are popping up in cities worldwide, allowing anyone to pay online to use a vehicle and ride it through town. No special training or preparation is needed.
However, when accidents involving these vehicles happen, the consequences can be quite severe and varied, including:
- Head injuries
- Arm injuries
- Leg injuries
Many accident victims require hospitalization and lengthy, expensive medical treatment. Yet, because no specific laws govern this area, it creates problems when people try to claim damages. In most cases, victims struggle to get compensation.
Why Are E-Scooters Banned in Philadelphia?
Despite the widespread popularity of e-scooters across the U.S., they remain illegal in most of Pennsylvania, including Philadelphia. Essentially, there’s no permission to ride them within city limits.
The main issue lies in their design, the absence of specific technical requirements, and the inability to register them like other motor vehicles.
Interestingly, while electric-assist devices for mobility are permitted in Pennsylvania, e-scooters don’t meet their criteria and therefore remain prohibited.
Still, you can frequently spot people riding e-scooters on Philadelphia streets. These vehicles are unregistered and uninsured, meaning that in the event of an accident, all parties are unprotected and cannot claim compensation for damages.
A New Legislative Bill
Philadelphia’s administration and the city’s public transit system, SEPTA, have expressed concerns about e-scooters for quite some time. They’ve repeatedly emphasized the need for specific legislation to regulate this issue, especially since local residents find them quite convenient.
Finally, in October 2024, a bill was passed by the transportation committee that would grant e-scooter riders the same privileges on public roads as bicyclists. Once reviewed and approved by the State House and Senate, this bill will become law, marking one of the first steps toward legalizing e-scooters in Pennsylvania and Philadelphia.
The proposed legislation outlines rules for e-scooter use. It suggests a speed limit of 15 miles per hour and prohibits riding on sidewalks or on roads with speed limits over 35 miles per hour. Additionally, it calls for the development of traffic rules for e-scooters and the potential implementation of fines for improper parking, as well as penalties for rental companies if their scooters are left in random locations.
The foundation for this bill was Pittsburgh’s e-scooter pilot program. According to its developers, e-scooters are far more than just fun. They are, in fact, becoming a crucial part of transportation infrastructure, especially in areas with limited access to public transport.
The Pittsburgh program ran from July 2021 to April 2023. It demonstrated approximately 40,000 e-scooter trips per month. During this period, no increase in traffic accidents involving these vehicles was recorded. However, some citizens did complain about e-scooters left on sidewalks and near parking spaces.
A representative who voted against the bill highlighted law enforcement’s concerns. There’s a belief that once e-scooters are legalized, the number of accidents will rise, as many more city residents will start using them, and not everyone will adhere to the established rules.
Regardless, as of early 2025, the new bill is still under review. So, those riding e-scooters in Philadelphia are currently still breaking the law. However, there’s hope that this situation will change in the near future, leading to regulations that promote safety for all road users and provide equal opportunities for those who wish to get around the city on an e-scooter.