The increased activity of e-bikes to the heavier flow of pedal bikes is causing a lot of concern with drivers or users of every kind of transportation.

It seems the rules for the new electric bikes are like that phrase from Grease: “The rules are there are no rules.”

Did you know that pedal bikes are not permitted on the sidewalks in Butler?

That is correct; bicycles are meant to be on the street in the flow of traffic and are subject to the same traffic laws and restrictions as motor vehicles.

If you can’t drive your Edsel or your Bantam on the sidewalk, you can’t put your bike on it either.

Now, the new question arrives, which is what laws and restrictions apply to e-bikes. Do they require a license? Do they require turn signals and headlights?

It goes without debate that stop signs and traffic lights must be obeyed at least as well as car drivers obey them.

It should certainly require that all transportation follow the laws that restrict traffic to one direction, but we can tell you Jefferson Street and Cunningham Street have pedal bikes and e-bikes flowing against traffic on them.

The hardcore supporters of e-bikes say, “put your phones down,” as if that is the only problem, and while we agree, and state law says that phones must be hands-free, that alone won’t solve the growing problems with e-bikes.

We will assign a reporter to get the actual rules and regulations for e-bikes in Pennsylvania and ask Mayor Dandoy if the city plans to pursue any possible ways to enforce the laws.

Realistically , e-bike issues shouldn’t be at the top of the list for law enforcement to regulate.

What needs done today is that all drivers need to be more vigilant and attentive to the streets, and both bikers and vehicle drivers be more cautious and cooperative with each other.

Share the roads, follow the laws and remember sidewalks are for pedestrians.

— RV