E-Bikes Causing Chaos On Bike Paths In Clarence, NY?

Of all the vehicles that could cause trouble, most people would guess that e-bikes would probably be at the bottom of the list, but they're causing problems in Clarence.

According to WIVB Channel 4, electric bikes, or e-bikes, are becoming a problem, and people are asking law enforcement to step in and address the individuals who are driving them recklessly.

The problem isn't JUST with e-bikes

It's not just e-bikes that are causing the problems. They're also noticing issues with scooters and motorized dirt bikes. The problem is that people are driving way too fast on the bike trails and walkways with them, causing injury, and in severe cases, even death.

Some of these bikes can get up to 50 miles an hour, and they're being used on bike paths where people are riding regular bikes and walking.

The law is changing in Clarence

At a town board meeting this week, they amended a local law to allow officers to issue fines, or in more extreme cases, to impound an e-bike or scooter if it's being used recklessly.

“If you’re riding an electric dirt bike 50 miles an hour on our bike path, we don’t want you on our bike paths." - Clarence Town Supervisor Paul Casilio

While this was exactly what some residents were hoping to hear, others seemed a little worried that it would impact them. Would all e-bikes be banned from the bike paths?

They assured people that not all e-bikes would be banned and that the only people who would have to worry about getting fines or having their bikes impounded were the ones who were using them recklessly on the bike paths.