Months after Abby Gillon was killed in a crash on an e-scooter, a town in her home county is passing a new law to make kids who use those vehicles safer.

Haverford Township passed an ordinance requiring children under 16 years old to wear a helmet when riding e-bikes or e-scooters in the community.

The 12-year-old Gillon, an honor student at Ridley Middle School, died after a crash in Aston Township in June, authorities have said. Gillon and a friend were riding when they fell and were hit by a car.

Haverford Township Police Chief John Viola confirmed the ordinance passed Monday night. The ordinance cites studies that show helmets significantly reduce head injuries incurred from accidents.

The bill only applies to those vehicles powered by an electric motor, so if you have a regular bike or scooter, you are not impacted.

"It's becoming a major concern for all of us," Viola said.

Viola says between now and January, the department's focus is to make children and their parents aware of the helmet requirement.

He says that after January, a $25 ticket may be issued.

"The ticket will go to the parents," Viola said. "We won't give a ticket to a child. We'll call them, tell them and mail it to them. We don't want to be giving out tickets to 11- 12 year 12-year-old kids. That's not what we do. We want to make them aware, to be safe and wear helmets."

Gillon's family has been pushing for a new state law named for her, "Abby's Law."

The law would cap e-scooter speeds at 20 mph, ban anyone under the age of 16 from riding one, and require anyone 16 or 17 years old to wear a helmet while riding the e-scooter. Ridley Township prohibits e-scooters on all township streets and sidewalks.

State Sen. Tim Kearney said this summer that he intends to introduce the bill. He expects some movement on the proposed legislation next month.

Haveford's new e-scooter ordinance

Haverford's new ordinance will roll out slowly. It takes effect on Thursday, Sept. 18, then there will be a grace period until the end of 2025, during which time officers will issue warnings to educate the public about the new law.

Starting Jan. 1, 2026, officers will start issuing $25 tickets to anyone under 16 seen riding an e-bike or e-scooter without a helmet.

How kids can get a free cupcake at this Havertown business

A free cupcake for kids wearing their helmets while scootering or riding an e-bike? It's one approach important to Havertown business owner Gabriella Messina. 

"It just felt like the right thing," Gabriella Messina said. "Children's safety is one of the most important things in our neighborhood, knowing so many kids on bikes pass our shop."

This sweet gesture from Sweet Messina Bakery in Havertown has been one of a few efforts to persuade kids to wear helmets.

"I think sometimes parents, with the busy time of year, in the summer they're always going, going," Messina said, "and I think they forget how important it is to tell their kids safety is key in riding bikes, scooters."