ALLENTOWN, PA − September 1, 2026 − Senate Democratic Policy Committee Chair Nick Miller (D-14) held a policy hearing on micromobility solutions and safety, alongside co-host Senator Tim Kearney (D-26). This hearing examined steps the General Assembly could take toward meaningful safety and age rules for privately owned e-scooters, and how such micromobility issues intersect with infrastructure and public policy. It will also explore Abby’s Law (SB 1008 of 2025-26).
“With the recent increase in deaths and serious injuries involving motorcycles, e-bikes and other micromobility devices, we need to make sure our laws and infrastructure are keeping pace with how people are traveling,” said Senator Nick Miller. “E-bikes and e-scooters can help connect people to jobs, close transportation gaps and provide more affordable ways to get around, but safety has to come first. This hearing is about bringing together law enforcement, transportation advocates and other stakeholders to identify common-sense rules that protect riders, pedestrians and drivers while allowing these transportation options to continue growing responsibly.”
“Abby’s Law is a bipartisan, commonsense bill named after Abby Gillon who tragically lost her young life at 12 while riding an e-scooter with her friend, Bella. The Senate shouldn’t let another year go by without action,” said Senator Tim Kearney, the bill’s sponsor, who introduced SB1008. “Today’s testimony underscored why this legislation is needed and why Republican leadership in the Senate must stop stalling. Public safety shouldn’t sit in committee —it should be a shared priority for all of us.”
Becky Bradley, Executive Director of Lehigh Valley Planning Commission, opened the hearing with a framework for micro-mobility and protected bike lanes in the Commonwealth.
“Investing in protected bike lanes and micro-mobility is about creating streets where people feel safe and comfortable with choosing these modes as viable and efficient transportation options,” said Bradley. “By supporting these bills, the General Assembly of Pennsylvania would be contributing to thoughtful short-term actions and coordinated long-term planning, from which your communities can build networks and infrastructure that is safer, more equitable, more resilient and more economically successful now and into the future.”
Henry Beaver, Special Assistant to the Deputy Secretary for Multimodal Transportation, spoke on the critical considerations for micromobility devices.
“PennDOT agrees that the Commonwealth needs statewide legal frameworks for both low-speed e-scooters and micromobility devices more broadly that acknowledge the widespread proliferation of micromobility devices while providing the necessary safeguards to protect users,” said Beaver. “In general, low-speed e-scooters should be regulated much the same as pedalcycles, and core rules and requirements should apply equally to private and commercial use of low-speed e-scooters.”
Scott Slingerland, Executive Director of the Coalition for Appropriate Transportation (CAT), testified about the importance of gathering data on bicycle crashes and how state legislators can use this information to make informed decisions.
“CAT has been seeking our two largest hospital networks (St. Luke’s Health Network and Lehigh Valley-Jefferson) to aggregate their Emergency Room admission data,” said Slingerland. “Knowing that most bicycle crashes are solo falls (League of American Bicyclists and CyclingSavvy) and are not reported to the police, hospital data would be very helpful for determining trends.”
Samantha Pearson, Healthy Communities Program Manager, and Ngani Ndimbie, Director of Programs at Mobilify Southwestern Pennsylvania, outlined the key points from their testimony.
“Micromobility devices are expanding access and mobility for Pennsylvanians who rely on them. There is a clear need to improve safety outcomes and to better define how these devices should be integrated into the broader transportation system.”
Chief Charles Roca of the Allentown Police Department discussed the local impact of micromobility use and related fatalities.
“When it’s on the road, it’s not a toy, it’s a form of conveyance,” Roca said. “In Allentown, we work closely with our partners in violence prevention. One life lost is one too many. When we experience a fatality involving someone using micromobility, it affects not only that individual, but also their family and the community.”
Chief Donald Sabo of the Salisbury Township Police Department emphasized how this is an issue affecting all regions.
“This is not just an urban environment issue, it transcends boroughs, townships, and cities throughout the Commonwealth,” said Sabo.
Scott L. Bohn, Executive Director of Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association, believes Pennsylvania must get safety right.
“Pennsylvania should not settle for partial regulation. At a minimum, legislation should require a uniform statewide framework,” said Bohn.
Testifiers for the hearing included:
- Pennsylvania Department of Transportation
- Pennsylvania Downtown Center
- Lehigh Valley Coalition for Appropriate Transportation (CAT)
- Mobilify Southwestern PA
- AAA National
- Local law enforcement
Senator Nick Miller was elected Policy Chair of the Senate Democratic Caucus in December 2024.
Footage of the hearing, as well as the written testimony of the panel, is available at PASenatorMiller.com/Policy. Photographs and downloadable videos are available upon request.
Learn more about the PA Senate Democrats commitment to protecting our commonwealth’s healthcare needs and other legislative priorities at www.pasenate.com.
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Testimony
- Becky Bradley, Executive Director, Lehigh Valley Planning Commission (virtually)
- Henry Beaver, Special Assistant to the Deputy Secretary for Multimodal Transportation, PennDOT
- Daniel Farley, P.E., Director of Operations, PennDOT
- Samantha Pearson, Healthy Communities Program Mgr., Pennsylvania Downtown Center
- Ngani Ndimbie, Director of Programs, Mobilify Southwestern Pennsylvania
- Scott Slingerland, Director, Coalition for Appropriate Transportation (CAT) Lehigh Valley
- Chief Charles Roca, Allentown Police Department
- Chief Donald Sabo, Salisbury Township Police Department
- Scott L. Bohn, Executive Director, Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association
- Lee Howell, Manager, State Relations, AAA National (virtually)
Additional Information