Black Forest Broadcasting

 

Elk County bigamy investigated…slippery roads blamed for one-vehicle accident in Eldred….Tractor trailer sideswipes parked car in Eldred…Port Allegany man jailed on disorderly conduct charges….DCNR settles on E-Bike policy….

Elk County

State police at Ridgway did not release details but say they are investigating a case of bigamy in Ridgway. A suspect reportedly is married to two women at the same time.

McKean County

A Roulette driver was taken to UPMC Cole for treatment of minor injuries following a weather-related accident Thursday afternoon in Eldred Township. State police said 19 year old Brandon Tinder was going south on Route 446 when his Toyota Sienna went out of control on the ice and snow covered road and struck a cement culvert.

Minor injuries were reported for a North Tonawanda, NY truck driver after a collision last Tuesday on Main Street in Eldred. Troopers said Steven Kureczka was going south when his 2021 Freightliner Sprinter hit a legally parked 2016 Nissan Rogue. Both vehicles sustained disabling damage. Kurecska was taken to Olean General Hospital by ambulance. His passenger Bret Kurecza was not hurt.

DUI charges have been lodged against a 39 year old Kane man who was stopped on Route 6 in Hamlin Township during the early morning December 11. State police did not release the suspect’s man.

A Port Allegany man was jailed  after being arraigned on disorderly conduct charges. State police were  called to 16 Miles Lane in Annin Township a few minutes after midnight last Tuesday for a noise complaint. Troopers allege 65 year old Rexford Snyder refused to quit making noise and was subsequently arrested. Bail was set at $2500.

Cameron County

Two Emporium men have been cited for physical harassment for an incident taking place December 3 on Eddies Run Road in Shippen Township. Troopers say their investigation determined a 19 year old and a 55 year old assaulted each other during a disagreement.

Statewide

Department of Conservation and Natural Resources  HAS announced an internal policy on the use of electric bicycles (PDF) (e-bikes) on DCNR lands is now final and effective immediately in state parks and forests. An e-bike is a bicycle equipped with an electric motor that assists the rider when they are pedaling. DCNR received more than 640 comments from the public on the draft policy. Based on the review of the comments the department  made some minor adjustments and will now move forward allowing e-bikes on trails already open to traditional bicycle usage on the lands managed by the department, as long as users follow some guidelines.

    Weigh no more than 100 pounds;

    Do not exceed 20 miles-per-hour using the motor;

    Have motors that do not exceed 750 watts; and

    Have fully functional, operable pedals.

Related to concerns about the speed of e-bikes the language was changed to note that all operators shall always adhere to safe speeds and advised speed limits along trails, and e-bike operators should never use the electric assistance to exceed 20 miles per hour while using the electric motor. All users should travel at safe speeds.

Other lands open to the public in Pennsylvania (such as federal lands, local parks, gamelands, and preserves) have different requirements related to e-bikes.

E-bike users should check the guidelines for their destination before they go.

The policy allows e-bikes to be used on DCNR-managed trails where traditional bikes are allowed.

State forest roads and trails that are not open to biking which would also prohibit e-bikes include:

    Natural areas;

    Designated hiking trails (blazed with yellow or orange); and

    Trails or roads specifically marked closed to biking.

E-bike users must propel their e-bikes by pedaling on non-motorized trails; the use of the throttle-only functionality is not permitted on non-motorized trails managed by DCNR.

E-bikes will be allowed on DCNR-managed motorized trails and public-use roads unless they are marked as prohibited to bikes.

Riders under the age of 16 are not permitted to ride e-bikes on state or local highways.

Approximately 3,800 miles of state forest trails are open to mountain biking and of those, 447 miles within 11 state forests are specifically designated and maintained for mountain biking.

    Stay to the right, pass on the left

    Let other trail users know you are coming — give a friendly greeting

    Limit distractions, don’t impair your hearing (i.e., by wearing headphones or ear buds).

    Obey all trail and road signs

    Slow down in congested areas

    If you’re on wheels, yield to pedestrians

    Use special care when passing horses

    Helmets are required by law for persons under the age of 12 and are recommended for bicyclists of all ages

    Maintain single file when passing or being passed

    It is important for users to be aware of battery storage capacity of their e-bike and available charging options. Users should not assume that trails open to e-bikes include e-bike charging stations

    Stay on the trail. Do not go off the trail (even to pass), create new trails, or cut switchbacks

    Don’t block the trail. When taking a break, move to the side of the trail to allow others to pass safely

    Expect the unexpected. Humans and animals can be unpredictable

More information about biking and mountain biking is on the DCNR website.