White Oak dealing with scooter issue

A resident complained to council after her son received a citation.

Stephanie Larson addressed White Oak Council on Monday to discuss the issues with electric scooters in the area and her son, who was charged with illegally riding a scooter after the borough’s curfew two weeks ago.

This comes after White Oak Police Department released a statement July 3 on Facebook stating that on July 2, children were struck by vehicles while riding on electric scooters.

“My child is part of the infamous scooter gang, however you want to call it,” Larson said. “I just have a few questions because he was out past curfew and he got cited with a friend of his for curfew as well as an unregistered vehicle because of being on an electric scooter. But the other kid didn’t get cited, and I have huge issues with that.”

The department said in the statement that they hope it’s the last time a scooter accident will happen in the area, noting that the scooters have gained “massive popularity among children” in Pennsylvania and beyond. Police departments have been responding to scooter complaints all over the state.

“We understand the fun and freedom these scooters afford the kids in our community and know they are seen as being identical with pedal bicycles (without any of the work), but they are not,” the statement said. “Our police department does not want to ‘ruin’ the summer fun associated with these scooters and have been lenient thus far, but we must consider the safety of riders as well as the safety of drivers encountering them.”

The statement advised parents to set strict guidelines for scooter safety — including wearing helmets, stopping at stop signs, hand signaling, stopping before exiting an alley and crossing streets/ crosswalks – and there will be enforcement of the law if unsafe operation continues.

Pennsylvania law is strict when it comes to electric scooters on public roads and sidewalks, according to the release, and the state considers them vehicles, so all vehicle laws should be obeyed. The board also discussed what vehicles were allowed and what wasn’t.

“However, most electric scooters don’t have the necessary equipment (like turn signals and mirrors, etc.) to meet these registration and inspection requirements,” the statement said. “This effectively makes it illegal to ride on Pennsylvania roads. Pennsylvania law also prohibits electric scooters on sidewalks.”

The statement said the primary legal place a scooter can be used is on private property, and advised parents to make their children aware of the law. Permitting Violation of Title (Title 75 Section 1575) is the section in the Vehicle Code that permits police to issue citations to the scooter operators and the parents as well. Council President Charles Davis said the citation is a police matter and advised Larson to talk with police Chief Mark Sergeant.

“We don’t know much about that,” Davis said. “I would ask for vehicle code as well. We don’t really have anything to do with police matters. I would go see the chief tomorrow, go see what the vehicle code says. People on bicycles, people on other vehicles, they don’t stop for stop signs. They’re on the sidewalks, on the crosswalks, on the roads.”

Larson questioned how electric scooters are legal in downtown Pittsburgh, but not in the area. Those looking for what they can use on the roads can find a chart on the White Oak Police Department’s Facebook page.

“There’s a lot of gray area with everything when you go to buy these things,” Larson said. “They’re illegal and you still see them riding down the street and everything so, that’s an issue.”

Also Monday, the board discussed other motions and announcements for its July 15 meeting:

• It authorized the solicitor to file magisterial complaints about the top 15 highest account holders of waste management — holding them accountable for paying for their garbage bill. Solicitor Ashley Puchalski will make a further announcement at next week’s meeting.

• Allison Park Contractors will close Lincoln Way between Route 48 and Oakview Street on July 15. It will remain closed for 21 days to replace the culvert under Long Run Road, along with work on relocating the utilities, gas lines, phone lines, storm sewers, etc. The official detour is Route 48 North to Route 30 and back to Lincoln Way.

• White Oak Athletic Association will host its second annual kickball tournament at 9 a.m. Saturday at its location at Lower Heckman Road in McKeesport. Proceeds from the event will go to White Oak Animal Safe Haven, and concessions proceeds will go to White Oak Baseball and Softball “Fallball.”