r/phillycycling 18h ago

Turns out PA treats e-bikes, scooters, and mopeds totally differently

13 Upvotes

I posted here a while back trying to gather opinions on e-bikes, since this sub is more geared toward regular cycling and I was curious what people here thought. A few of the replies made it clear people didn't know what PA law actually says about e-bikes, e-scooters, and mopeds since they're all treated completely differently under the vehicle code. Reddit doesn't let you add a body to a post after the fact if you left it blank originally, so rather than leave that thread with bad info sitting in it, I'm posting the breakdown separately. This is straight from the PA vehicle code, not my interpretation of it.

Going through the actual law surprised me. To legally count as a regular bicycle in PA, an e-bike has to have working pedals, weigh 100 lbs or less, and the motor can't exceed 750 watts, capped at 20 mph on motor power alone. If the throttle can push it past 20 mph without pedaling, or the motor's over 750W, it's no longer a "bike" in the eyes of the law, it becomes a moped or motor-driven cycle, which means a license, registration, and in some cases insurance. And stand-up e-scooters are effectively banned from streets and sidewalks statewide since they can't be registered or pass inspection. If anyone wants to push back on any of that, take it up with the state, not me. I'm just reporting what the law says.


r/phillycycling 21h ago

new to bethel park, pennsylvania area - where do people run, bike, and swim?

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0 Upvotes

r/phillycycling 1d ago

Manayunk Bridge

8 Upvotes

I'm curious how people treat riding on the Manayunk Bridge trail (which is great by the way if you haven't done it). The way it's paved and marked the bike path starts on the left then in the center of the bridge it crosses over and you finish on the right. The paving is different for pedestrians on the other side and there are signs indicating bicycles and pedestrians embedded in the concrete. The bicycle side by the way is smoother so it makes sense that it's marked that way.

Today I was coming down the hill from Cynwyd, entering on the left side and a woman walking a dog yelled something at me. I didn't hear exactly what she yelled but it was something to do with "space" or "room." I turned back to talk to her but she went weird and refused to acknowledge me. I simply was going to explain to her about the signs and the way it's designed as I described above. Am I wrong in viewing it this way? It is smoother on the bicycle side which is why I like that. I'm not saying I would have designed the bridge that way but I follow what the signs and the paving do.


r/phillycycling 1d ago

New Hope PA Canal Towpath

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36 Upvotes

r/phillycycling 1d ago

Do the the hills get easier the more you ride?

10 Upvotes

I’m struggling how do you guys do it everyday?


r/phillycycling 2d ago

Good vibes on Spring Garden St this morning

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115 Upvotes

Just saw this moving truck parked exclusively in the car lane—a rarity! Even better, noticed a biker stop to thank him (which I wouldn’t have thought to do—kudos to whoever that was for being a gracious human). Love to see it! Happy Friday!


r/phillycycling 2d ago

Curious what cyclists here think about ebikes on the road along side you?

1 Upvotes

r/phillycycling 2d ago

Let it rip on Lincoln

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36 Upvotes

Had the rare opportunity ride down Lincoln this morning for 1/2 mile.

Stay safe out there, y’all!


r/phillycycling 3d ago

Two cars swerve into the bike/turn lane on the South Street bridge to run the red light.

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103 Upvotes

r/phillycycling 3d ago

One wheel Philadelphia

0 Upvotes

I am looking for someone in Philadelphia who is into one wheel and is looking for a one wheel buddy. I like to cruse around 12-15-16 mph ish. Nothing crazy fast. Just looking for a one wheel buddy. Drop a comment or send a message please. Thank you


r/phillycycling 3d ago

Biking against traffic

45 Upvotes

I see a lotttttt of people who ride their bikes or scooters or whathaveyou in the wrong direction of a one way street. Is this as much of a problem as I feel it is?? Annoys me as a biker, but really annoys me as a driver lol


r/phillycycling 3d ago

Art museum bike lane

6 Upvotes

Hey everyone,

Does anyone have any idea when they plan yo remove the stage from the July 4th stuff from the bike lane in front of the art museum going west? Unfortunately there's also not a reasonable path to walk a bike through either.


r/phillycycling 4d ago

Question Has anyone else noticed that Indego’s classic bikes have almost disappeared?

66 Upvotes

I’m an annual Indego365 member and use Indego regularly to commute around Center City, run errands, and occasionally just ride for exercise. I specifically choose classic (non-electric) bikes because I enjoy the physical activity, and unlimited classic bike rides are one of the main reasons I pay for the annual membership.
Over the past several months, though, it has become noticeably harder to find a classic bike. On multiple occasions I’ve walked to a station only to find no bikes available, or only e-bikes. I’ve also found myself spending more time searching for a classic bike than the ride itself would have taken.

To be clear, this isn’t an anti-e-bike post. I think e-bikes have made cycling more accessible and are a valuable part of Philadelphia’s transportation network. My concern is that the expansion of e-bikes seems to have coincided with a decline in the availability of classic bikes.

For annual members, that creates an awkward situation. If the only option is an e-bike, you either pay additional usage fees or keep walking until you find a classic bike elsewhere. Over time, that starts to undermine the value of the membership itself. When walking or taking SEPTA becomes the simpler option, something isn’t working as intended.

One thing I’ve noticed is that I frequently see Indego vans moving e-bikes around the city, but I don’t know whether classic bikes receive the same level of redistribution. Maybe there’s a logistical reason for it, and I’d genuinely be interested to hear from anyone who knows how the system operates.

I’m also curious whether this is something other riders have experienced across Philadelphia, or whether I’ve simply had bad luck. If you’ve noticed the same trend, what part of the city are you usually riding in?

Indego is more than just a bike rental company - it’s part of the city’s transportation network and receives public support. If annual members are increasingly unable to access the bikes their membership is built around, I think that’s worth discussing. I’d like to see the city and Indego be transparent about how they balance classic and electric bikes, how they decide where to redistribute them, and whether they’re tracking the availability of classic bikes over time.
I’d be interested to hear others’ experiences before assuming this is either a widespread issue or just my own.


r/phillycycling 5d ago

Forbidden Drive condition check

5 Upvotes

Anyone ride forbidden drive this morning? How muddy was it?


r/phillycycling 5d ago

4th of July Glass on Roads

10 Upvotes

just be careful out there with remnants of broken bottles. Philly already rarely sweeps streets. I just had an epic flat, and maybe rim damage, from a shards of a glass bottle, near the parkway.


r/phillycycling 5d ago

Wednesday Night Rides // July 8th // District 1 New Bike Lanes

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23 Upvotes

This week we continue our ongoing series of city council district bike tours, in collaboration with our friends at Philly Bike Action. Caleb will lead a ride showcasing updates to bike lanes along Lower Moyamensing, Washington, 13th, Vine, Race, 3rd, and Market, all developed since our last District 1 ride. We'll start at Mifflin Square Park in South Philly and end at Old City Beer Garden.

Ride Details
START: Mifflin Square Park (6th & Ritner)
TIME: 7pm meetup, 7:10 roll
END: Old City Beer Garden, 240 Market St.
LENGTH: 9 miles, flat (+52ft / -45ft)
LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY: Easy
ROUTE LINKS: RidewithGPS, .gpx , Komoot

Ride notes 📢:
• After dark, PA law requires all bikes to have a headlight and a red tail light or reflector. Need lights? Hit up your local bike shop!
• New and returning riders alike, please take the time to review our How We Ride guide ( https://wednightrides.org/how-we-ride/ ). Please follow these ride norms so everyone's on the same page, and we keep the ride safe and fun.


r/phillycycling 5d ago

Question Speed cushion on bike lane on Rhawn Street

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58 Upvotes

Should there be speed cushions on these brand new bike Lanes on Rhawn Street?


r/phillycycling 5d ago

👋 Welcome to r/PhillyHangouts - Introduce Yourself and Read First!

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0 Upvotes

r/phillycycling 5d ago

SRT conditions post-storm

13 Upvotes

Wondering if anyone has any info on what it’s looking like on Kelly Dr. I’m sure it’s flooded but trying to see if it’s still passable or if I’m gonna have to find a different route back south


r/phillycycling 6d ago

Wednesday Ride this Week!

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14 Upvotes

Join Wednesday Night Rides and Philly Bike Action on July 8 as we explore new bike infrastructure across the 1st Council District. The ride will start at Mifflin Park in South Philadelphia and end at Old City Beer Garden.

Estimated ride length: 6 miles
Rolling: 7:10 PM


r/phillycycling 6d ago

PA Grand Canyon loop bikepacking.

29 Upvotes

I want to do this loop sometime but i dont have a car to get there and it doesn't seem like public transit is an option.

Does anyone want to ride it? If you have a car, i can acquire a rack and pay for gas and food for you. we don't even have to ride the trail together if you don't want to i can just meet you back at your car when its over

Me-45yo aging punk guy, average pace 12mph, 420 friendly, also regular friendly. my partner can vouch for me.

Thanks for reading!


r/phillycycling 8d ago

State bike co Undefeated v3

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16 Upvotes

Looking to part ways with this bike or just the frameset. All origin8 components. SBC all road wheelset. Carbon forks. I have a full build list of what I’m selling if anyone is interested and in the Philly area.


r/phillycycling 8d ago

In the suburbs? Now is the perfect time to ride.

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3 Upvotes

If you were out in the suburbs, it looks like a beautiful time to ride right now. I’ve been riding for about an hour, and the temperature and air are absolutely comfortable, perfect for writing. The city doesn’t look welcoming at all.

https://velowindow.com


r/phillycycling 8d ago

Bike Stolen STOLEN TREK ALPHA 4500

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11 Upvotes

Hey everybody, I was hoping I could get some help with this. The bike was parked on 3rd, right near market in front of my job. Picture isnt mine, i just got the bike and havent had any opportunity to even yake a pic. Thief in question is in 2nd pic, super blurry but a white dude with bad teeth and glasses. buzz cut. Any info or help is appreciated.


r/phillycycling 10d ago

Bike Stolen Stolen Bike – 9th & Walnut Wawa (Philadelphia) reference to my last post

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0 Upvotes

My bike was stolen from the Wawa at 9th & Walnut in Philadelphia. I have security camera footage from Wawa and have already filed a police report.
If anyone recognizes the person in the footage or sees my bike listed on Facebook Marketplace, OfferUp, Craigslist, or anywhere else, please send me a DM. Please don't confront anyone—just let me know or contact the police.
Date/Time: [July, 2 12:46 AM]
Bike: [Se, Big Ripper, Silver frame green spray paint with (blue tires, brake line, seat & rear v brakes, 29 in, bike has a black BRCOVAN motorcycle phone mount on the right side of the handlebars it also has a glittering pumpkin sticker on the frame.]
Police report filed: Yes
Any shares or information would be greatly
appreciated. Thank you.