Abigail “Abby” Gillon was a vibrant 12-year-old with a promising future. She was my beloved niece, the only child of my sister, our family’s only grandchild, and the apple of our family's eye. Abby was a honor student at Ridley Middle School, involved in the student government, was a swim team member of the Ridley Township Swim Club the Ridley Gators as well as a Ridley Cheerleader. She was a sister to all of her closest friends who are in shock and lost without her. Tragically, Abby's life was cut short due to an accident involving an electric e-scooter while visiting and spending the night at a friend’s house. Despite her parents' vigilant efforts to protect her—having confiscated her own scooter after a previous fall—she found herself on the friend's scooter without adult supervision and was fatally struck by a car while being on the same scooter together in Aston, Pa. on June 14, 2025. Abby suffered from multiple injuries including but not limited to broken arm and leg bones, cranial and facial injuries, broken nose, broken neck, punctured lung, ruptured spleen, as well as severed carotid artery which she succumbed to on June 16, 2025. Abby did donate to the gift of life and even though departed from us she continued to touch other lives in need. We k ow of two children who received Abby’s organs. NO HELMET WOULD HAVE SAVED HER !

This heartbreaking incident underscores a dire need for legislation to enhance the safety of our children. The current lack of regulation allows minors, often lacking the judgment and skills necessary to navigate such vehicles safely, to operate e-scooters. These scooters are motorized and can reach high speeds, presenting significant danger to young users who are not developmentally ready to handle these complexities.

We propose "Abby’s Law," a legislative measure to prohibit children under the age of 16 from operating electric e-scooters in the state of Pennsylvania. This law would prevent similar tragedies and ensure that young lives are not endangered by circumstances they cannot fully control or understand.

The National Safety Council reports that over 100,000 emergency room visits per year in the United States are related to scooter accidents, with many affected being minors. By setting a legal age limit, we can significantly reduce these numbers and protect our children from potential harm.

In addition to an age restriction, Abby's Law should include measures for mandatory safety education for young riders, guidelines for parental supervision when necessary, and a clear definition of legal responsibilities for owners and renters of e-scooters.

It’s vital that our community comes together to champion this cause and advocate for change that prioritizes the safety of our youngest members. Abby's death was a preventable tragedy; let us ensure it remains the last of its kind.

Sign this petition and support the enactment of Abby’s Law to preserve the safety of children and prevent further heartache in other families. Together, we can make a difference.