Weatherly’s police chief addressed issues with kids riding bikes in Eurana Park and e-bikes throughout town Monday night.

“We’re just trying to ask the kids to not be riding through the park, or being very mindful,” Chief Michael Bogart said. “The other big complaint we’re having is e-bikes in town.”

Weatherly is not alone, he said. Communities throughout the area are fielding complaints from residents and Bogart wanted residents to be aware of the rules regarding e-bikes, which have an electric-assist to propel riders up to 20 mph.

“Basically, if you’re under 16, you really should not be on an e-bike in town,” the chief said. “We have a lot of complaints. Kids running stop signs, going the wrong way, taking up travel lanes … almost hitting cars.”

He brought along copies of a fact sheet addressing the state law for different forms of bikes, e-bikes, scooters and Segways, and asked residents to take one or stop by the station.

“We’re asking everybody, before you buy one for your kid, reach out and know what the law is, because ultimately you’re responsible,” Bogart said.

“If you put your kid on a bike and he runs a stop sign, causes an accident, you’re culpable,” he said. “You could be cited for letting them actually ride the bike and having it.”

Councilman Jeffrey Miller wanted to know if the borough is going to enforce the law regarding children under 16 riding e-bikes.

“We’re not going to actively go out looking for people to stop,” Bogart said. “If somebody complains, we catch you running a stop sign, blocking traffic and we have to intervene, then there probably will be a recourse of action.”

The department isn’t going to look for violations, but if officers get a complaint or see a violation, they will act, he said. The parents could be responsible, as they’re violating the law for allowing them to ride a bike without a helmet or ride an e-bike, Bogart said.

“The parents absolutely could be responsible, and financially, if they caused damage in an accident or something,” he said.

Miller asked if they could set up training for the kids, and Bogart said they shouldn’t be on e-bikes to begin with under the law, and the chief again encouraged parents to reach out to police on the rules.

Bogart understands that the weather is warming up, kids want to be out and about, but he wants everyone to understand the rules.

“We’re not actively going out looking, but if our paths cross on some type of violation or complaint, then we’re going to have to take action,” he said.

Council agreed that they could look into a local ordinance regarding e-bikes as well, if the complaints continued. Bogart hoped that putting the information out to the public would be a good first step and could curb activity.

There already is an ordinance restricting riding bikes in Eurana Park, he said.

Bogart also pointed out that there have been issues with people walking their dogs off the leash in the park.

“We have a beautiful dog park up there,” he said. “We’re just asking everybody and all the residents to use the dog park instead of walking their dogs in the park, where the rest of the public is.”