Corry Council Reviews Grant Funding and E-Bike Legislation

Corry City Council heard updates on electric bicycle legislation, public safety initiatives and grant funding during its October 12 work session.

Gray Reports Progress on E-Bike Legislation

Streets and Public Improvements Director Charles Gray updated council on efforts to address safety concerns involving electric bicycles, scooters and other micromobility devices.

Gray said the Erie Metropolitan Transit Authority had asked Corry to formally support a regional public safety campaign focused on motorists, pedestrians, cyclists and micromobility users. The campaign, titled “Share the Road. Ride Responsibly,” was included in the meeting packet. Gray encouraged council to consider endorsing the initiative at its October 19 voting meeting.

Gray also discussed House Bill 1633, which addresses the legalization and regulation of electric scooters for private and shared use. The Pennsylvania House Transportation Committee voted unanimously on October 5 to adopt amendments and advance the legislation. The bill was removed from the House table on October 7, allowing it to proceed for further consideration, but it had not received final passage.

Gray said several provisions in the legislation reflect recommendations included in Corry’s Resolution 26-37, which urges the state to modernize laws governing electric bicycles and other electric micromobility devices. Those provisions include clearer classifications, helmet requirements for younger riders, public education and municipal authority to establish appropriate local regulations.

However, Gray said significant questions remain about identifying modified or illegal devices and giving police practical ways to enforce the rules.

Mitchell Says E-Bikes Were a Major Topic at Statewide Municipal Meeting

City Controller David Mitchell connected Corry’s local concerns to discussions at the recent Pennsylvania Municipal League meeting in Hershey, where electric bicycles and scooters were among the major issues raised by municipal officials.

Mitchell said communities throughout Pennsylvania are dealing with problems involving these devices. He described reports from other municipalities involving young riders without helmets and high-speed riding that created dangerous situations for both the riders and police.

In one example he discussed, riders on electric bikes were reportedly traveling at speeds of up to 70 miles per hour on Route 19 near Pittsburgh while attempting to evade police. Officers stopped pursuing them because of the potential for a serious accident.

Mitchell said one of the central challenges is determining what legally qualifies as an e-bike or scooter and how police can identify devices that have been modified to exceed legal limits.

Those concerns echoed Gray’s report that House Bill 1633, despite its progress, does not fully resolve questions about identifying devices and enforcing restrictions.

Mitchell praised Gray’s presentation on the legislation, telling council he wished it had been included in the municipal league’s discussions because he found it particularly informative. He also noted that the league serves as a lobbying organization for municipalities at the state and federal levels, giving communities an opportunity to share concerns and pursue legislative changes.

City Secures Funding for Municipal Building Assessment

Gray announced that Corry had secured $25,000 in outside funding to cover the local match for a proposed assessment of the municipal building.

The city previously applied for a $25,000 grant through the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission to fund a professional assessment and develop a long-term plan addressing the building’s structural integrity, maintenance and continued use.

Gray reported that the Erie County Gaming Revenue Authority contributed $5,000 and the Corry Community Foundation provided $20,000, covering the full matching amount and replacing the city’s planned contribution.

The assessment is intended to help guide future decisions about maintaining and using the municipal building.

City Receives $214,700 Trail Grant

Corry also received a $214,700 grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources for its trail project, Gray reported. The award was $43 less than the amount requested.

Gray said she plans to seek an additional $214,700 through the Appalachian Regional Commission’s Area Development Grant Program to provide matching funds for the state award. If that application is successful, the two grants would provide a combined $429,400 toward the project.

Gray said she intends to request council authorization to submit the additional application at the October 19 voting meeting.