Delaware County, PA – July 22, 2025 – Senator Tim Kearney (D-Delaware), has announced plans to introduce Abby’s Law, legislation to create safety regulations for electric scooters. This legislation honors Abigail Gillon, a 12-year-old girl who tragically passed after an e-scooter accident in Aston. On June 14th Abby and her close friend, 11-year-old Isabella (Bella) Jones, were thrown from a single electric scooter into oncoming traffic as they entered the road. Both girls were hospitalized, and Abby later passed due to her injuries, devasting her community in Ridley Township and Delaware County. After this tragedy, community members and leaders have called attention to the lack of regulations for electric scooters.
Riders of some other motorized micromobility devices, like e-bikes, are subject to regulations including age requirements, maximum speeds, and more. However, because electric scooters are not street legal in Pennsylvania, there are no outlined rules for riding the devices.
To address this gap in regulation and prevent further tragedies, Sen. Kearney issued a co-sponsorship memo outlining how Abby’s Law will be a step forward to increase transportation safety.
“As a member of the Senate Transportation Committee, and local community member, I remain committed to advancing thoughtful, forward-thinking policies that prioritize e-scooter safety equipment, including age requirements, and education for both users and motorists,” said Senator Kearney. “The devastating crash that took Abby’s life and left her friend critically injured underscores the need for our state laws to adapt to emerging technology like e-scooters that are widely popular but need guardrails to ensure they are safely integrated as a transportation option.”
This legislation would:
- Recognize e-scooters as a regulated micromobility vehicle in the PA Vehicle Code.
- Establish safety requirements for operation and helmets based on age.
- Create a public awareness campaign to educate riders and parents on the safe operation and riding of e-scooters.
This legislation creates guidelines to ensure riders and parents understand how to take precautions while riding e-scooters. Abby’s Law will create parameters to protect youth while incorporating e-scooters into communities in a responsible manner. Sen. Kearney hopes to prevent future devasting accidents and raise awareness about the dangers of riding e-scooters without the proper safety measures.
“I am currently working with Abby’s family and other key stakeholders to develop this legislation to help ensure that no other family has to endure this kind of loss.” said Kearney.
In Abby’s memory, this legislation represents a commitment to youth and community safety as transportation continues to advance in Pennsylvania.
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