Donors and members of the Zelienople Borough Police Department pose with Zelienople patrolmen Bret Myers, front left, and Logan Brink, front right, ahead of their unveiling of two new e-bikes to the community during the Zelienople Fall Festival along Main Street in 2024. Butler Eagle File Photo

The Zelienople Borough Police Department is spreading awareness of the laws surrounding e-bikes as temperatures begin to rise.

According to the state Department of Transportation, e-bikes must weigh less than 100 pounds, have operable pedals, have a motor under 750 watts and have a maximum speed of 20 mph on motor power alone on a level surface. A license is not required, but drivers must be older than 16.

Submitted photo.

The police department said in a Monday, April 6, Facebook post that state law prohibits e-bikes and pedal bikes on sidewalks in a business district, which in Zelienople, would mean Main Street, the east side of Clay Street and the west side of High Street.

Local laws may extend the prohibition to skates, scooters or skateboards.

Operators must yield to pedestrians, vehicles or other users of sidewalks and streets.

Electric dirt bikes are considered “off-road” and may only be ridden on private property, the police department said.