When Pittsburgh’s shared e-scooter pilot program launched in 2021, I was excited to see a new transportation option come to our city, especially for neighborhoods that have historically been left behind by our existing transit systems.
For many people on the Northside, getting from point A to point B is not always simple. With steep hills and gaps in public transportation, what looks like a short trip on a map can sometimes feel like a never- ending journey in practice. During the two-year pilot program, e-scooters gave our residents another way to get to work, run errands, and visit loved ones in neighboring communities.
After learning from the successes and critiques of the Pittsburgh pilot program, I introduced House Bill 1633, legislation that would allow municipalities that want shared e-scooter programs to establish them while creating a clear framework to regulate their safe use. My legislation also addresses private ownership of e-scooters because our municipalities and law enforcement agencies do not have a clear set of rules, standards, or tools to regulate them, which elevates safety concerns in areas where e-scooters are being used.
Without passing my legislation, we have an awkward gap in our laws that means that right now, Pennsylvanians can legally purchase an e-scooter, but they are not legally allowed to operate one. You probably see, as I do, that people are using these devices on a daily basis. I have even seen the Pirates Parrot using one! Micro-mobility options like e-scooters are also a great tool for helping visitors navigate special events, like the recent NFL Draft. Organizers of the Draft were surprised to learn that e-scooters, a transportation option that is available in many other cities across the country hosting large events, are not legal in Pennsylvania.
In June, the Pennsylvania House Transportation Committee held a public hearing on H.B. 1633 and the broader issue of e-scooters in Pennsylvania. The discussion included testimony from transportation experts, municipal leaders, e-scooter share industry representatives, advocates, and the insurance industry. While there are different perspectives on the best path forward, one thing that was clear from our discussion is that Pennsylvania needs to address the reality that e-scooters are already here.
My bill is all about fixing the gaps in our existing law and prioritizing public safety. It is about moving from an unclear situation where e-scooters exist in a legal gray area to a system where we can establish responsible rules around their use.
The Pittsburgh pilot program showed us what that could look like. Over the two-year pilot, more than 212,000 people signed up to use the service, with more than one million trips taken across the city. Nearly half of riders reported using e-scooters for commuting, and a significant number of trips replaced short car trips. The program also helped connect people to existing transit. In neighborhoods where bus routes do not always provide convenient connections, e-scooters helped close some of those gaps. A substantial portion of the individuals who used e-scooters were low-income.
We also learned important lessons from the pilot. Any future program must prioritize safety, accountability, and the unique needs of the communities where these devices operate. My legislation builds on those lessons by allowing municipalities to establish rules around issues like parking, operating areas, speed limits, reporting violations and accountability for operators.
A major part of this conversation has been recognizing that safety concerns are very real. E-scooters are not without risk, and any legislation must ensure riders, pedestrians, drivers and communities are protected. That is why the process of developing H.B. 1633 has included input from a wide range of stakeholders, including law enforcement and safety experts, to ensure we are adequately addressing these concerns.
As we continue to work toward establishing a legal framework for e-scooters, it is important to acknowledge that maintaining the status quo does not make these devices disappear. In fact, the current system leaves us with fewer ways to manage them. If people can purchase e-scooters but cannot legally ride them, we are missing an opportunity to create thoughtful regulations that encourage safe behavior and give communities the authority to respond to problems they are experiencing.
Pennsylvania’s transportation system must continue to evolve to meet the needs of its people and ensure that Pennsylvanians have the ability to legally and safely use every mobility option as they become available. House Bill 1633 does not require municipalities to adopt e-scooter share programs, but it does provide a clear framework based on lessons learned from the Pittsburgh pilot for communities to develop safe and affordable transportation options that fit their needs while ensuring those programs operate responsibly.
Whether for daily transportation or special events, communities deserve the ability to decide what works best for them. For many residents, especially those facing barriers to reliable transportation, expanding safe and affordable mobility options would make a real difference in their daily lives.
With H.B. 1633, I am committed to creating a balanced approach that puts public safety first while recognizing the transportation needs of Pennsylvanians. If you want to learn more about this issue, or any others I am working on, I encourage you to call my office at (412) 321-5523, email [email protected], or visit my office at 658 Lincoln Ave. in Bellevue.
