One year after 12-year-old Abigail "Abby" Gillon was killed while riding an electric scooter, her family says their grief has hardened into frustration with state lawmakers. Abby and an 11-year-old friend were struck by a car in Aston on June 14, 2025, and the crash sparked calls for statewide rules that her family says still have not arrived.
Abby's mother, Lori Kralle, and her fiancé, Daniel Goslee, attended a memorial Mass in Milmont Park and told reporters they are "very frustrated and very disappointed" that a measure named for their daughter has yet to advance. As reported by CBS Philadelphia, Kralle said, "It's been a rough year," and described how the family is pressing for legal changes to prevent another tragedy.
What Abby's Law Would Do
Senate Bill 1008, known as Abby's Law, would add a new subchapter to Title 75 to define "low-speed electric scooters" and set statewide rules. The proposal would ban riders under 16, require helmets for 16- and 17-year-olds, limit speeds to 20 miles per hour, prohibit carrying more passengers than the device is designed for, and apply bicycle traffic rules to scooters. The bill text also exempts authorized low-speed scooters from vehicle title and registration requirements while directing PennDOT to develop public education materials, according to the Pennsylvania General Assembly.
Where The Bill Stands
State Sen. Tim Kearney formally filed the measure in late September 2025, but family members and advocates say it has sat in the Senate Transportation Committee without action. Those close to the effort say they are disappointed the proposal has not moved and are pressing colleagues to bring it forward for debate, as reported by CBS Philadelphia.
Local Patchwork Of Rules
With no uniform statewide standard, local governments have started to fill the gap on their own. Haverford Township voted last fall to require helmets for anyone under 16 riding an e-scooter or e-bike and set a warning period before $25 fines begin. Local officials say those steps are necessary while Harrisburg considers a statewide law, according to Fox 29.
Why Recognition Matters
Part of the problem is statutory. Electric scooters are not clearly defined in Pennsylvania's vehicle code, which creates enforcement gaps for police and unclear rules for riders and drivers. Local reporting and officials say that patchwork regulation leaves municipalities to scramble for short-term fixes while lawmakers debate a uniform approach, per The Philadelphia Inquirer.
"As a father, I believe keeping children safe should never be a partisan issue," Kearney said while announcing the bill, according to The Philadelphia Inquirer. Gillon's family says they will keep pressing until lawmakers act, and local advocates are pushing for a uniform, enforceable approach to prevent another tragedy.
