Inch by inch, Lehighton continues to make headway on its archaic bicycling ordinance.

Councilwoman Jordyn Miller said that a committee comprised of herself, Councilman Joe Flickinger, police Chief Troy Abelovsky and Mayor Ryan Saunders met to further discuss the topic.

Miller said they are about halfway through.

“We continued working on the process,” Miller said. “It’s still a work in progress.”

Abelovsky said he’d like to see the matter brought before borough council at next month’s meeting.

In July, Abelovsky said the next step was to finalize some of the basic decisions and get it to the borough solicitor.

From that point, Abelovsky said the plan is to have a draft ordinance.

In June, Abelovsky said the borough’s Police Fire and Safety Committee had met several times and had been compiling information.

Abelovsky said he did a revision of the ordinance, and noted the committee will meet one more time to complete notes before giving it to the solicitor for his review.

At May’s council meeting, Miller said that council’s Police Fire and Safety Committee had held a meeting with Abelovsky and Saunders and came up with a draft.

The borough is looking to adopt a similar version of the Pennsylvania State Bicycle Laws.

Resident Nick Catania previously asked about sound, but Abelovsky said he doesn’t think a noise ordinance is really an option at this point.

Abelovsky previously said in a Facebook post that the Lehighton Borough Police Department had fielded multiple calls and safety concerns resulting from subjects operating motorized pedal cycles, motor scooters, e-bikes and bicycles on its roadways.

The borough’s outdated ordinance is from 1975 and only addresses bicycles in the borough.

Abelovsky said the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation addresses these vehicles, which the police department will enforce. Enforcement can consist of towing and issuing fines to operators or families who permit the violations to occur.

He said a large percentage of violators are people who are under the age of 16 and not properly licensed.

Abelovsky noted that the police department is seeking assistance from the parents.

He also urged parents to contact the police department if they have any questions regarding whether their son or daughter is permitted to operate a specific type of vehicle on borough roadways.

Lastly, Abelovsky emphasized that helmets are required for all people operating bicycles and Segways under the age of 12, motorizes scooters under the age of 21, and are recommended for all operators.