NORRISTOWN, Pa. (WPVI) -- Montgomery County officials have approved a measure to increase fines for electric bike users who violate trail regulations, responding to growing concerns about safety along popular commuter paths like the Schuylkill River Trail.

The new rules, passed by county commissioners on Thursday, raise fines from $100 to $300 for e-bike riders who break the law.

Regulations specify that e-bikes must weigh no more than 100 pounds, have motors no stronger than 750 watts, include functional pedals, and not exceed a speed of 15 miles per hour.

"There's some individuals who are riding what are essentially like motorcycles on the trails, and those can go up to 50 mph," said County Commissioner Neil Makhija. "They're incredibly dangerous."

Trail users expressed mixed feel

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