“Bluebikes, the operator of the Greater Boston Bike Share program, can`t add electric bikes to its fleet, like New York, New Orleans and many other cities in their bike parts, which drives a lot more people to bike,” Parad said. To remedy this, the Boston Cyclists Union is pushing for a bill (H 3457/S 2309) that would create different classes of e-bikes. At a rally outside the State House on Wednesday afternoon, Boston Cyclists Union executive director Becca Wolfson compared the possible classification of e-bikes to cars. Pedal-assisted bicycles would be considered the first class of e-bikes. The second class includes electric bikes that help cyclists even when the rider is not pedaling, but still only rides up to 20 miles per hour. The last class includes electric bikes, which only help cyclists pedal, but allow the rider to reach up to 28 miles per hour. In early 2021, the proposed 3-class e-bike definitions and regulations were submitted to both the House of Representatives and the MA Senate during the 192nd session. Invoice numbers (192nd session): H.3457 and S.2309 The bill defines the first class of electric bicycles as those with a motor that assist the cyclist only when pedaling and stops once he reaches 20 miles per hour. The second class includes bicycles with a motor that operate the pedals for the cyclist until the bike reaches 20 miles per hour. The last class is for bikes with a motor, which only help when the rider pedals and stops when the bike reaches 28 miles per hour.

One problem, however, according to Owens, is that since currently all e-bikes are classified as motorized bikes and are therefore not allowed on bike lanes and are subject to the motor vehicle registry approval requirement, this can create major hurdles for e-bike users. Rep. David P. Linsky (D-Natick) joined his colleagues last week in passing a bill regulating the use of e-bikes by treating them as bicycles rather than motorized scooters or vehicles as they are currently defined, giving them the same privileges and obligations under the law as users of non-electric bikes. In an effort to reduce road fatalities, the House of Representatives also passed a bill requiring motorists to maintain a safe distance from pedestrians, cyclists, mobility aid users and other vulnerable road users. Similar to the risks mentioned above, many people without much cycling experience buy electric bikes in Boston. People who aren`t familiar with cycling in Boston may not know many of the safety basics to keep in mind — like knowing what to wear, what laws to follow, how to ride a bike safely at night, how to ride a bike defensively, and more. A great advantage of an electric bike is that it is environmentally friendly. Electric bikes have proven to be even better for the environment than electric cars.

E-bikes produce about 2.5 to 5 grams of carbon dioxide per kilometer, compared to about 150 grams of carbon dioxide per kilometer for an electric car, according to a study by the European Cyclists` Federation. MGL c.90 § 1B-1E Motorized bicycles (including electric bicycles): Operating regulations, compliance with federal safety standards and registration sticker. Owens said pedestrian concerns about sharing paths with e-bikes cannot be resolved until there is a legal definition of what an e-bike is. The final version of the bill includes a new electric vehicle introduction fund to strengthen the electric vehicle (EV) rebate program, MOR-EV, with some modifications. In Massachusetts, an electric bike is defined as a “motorized bike” as long as its maximum speed is 25 miles per hour. As motorized bicycles, electric bikes are not subject to the same traffic rules as normal bikes Do cyclists have to obey all road signs? In the state of Massachusetts, electric cyclists must obey road signs as much as possible to respect other road users. In a wave of last-minute action over the weekend, the Massachusetts legislature passed a compromise bill on transportation obligations, sending Gov. Charlie Baker back to a sweeping climate bill with significant changes to the state`s electric vehicle policy. The climate law does not provide for further reductions for the purchase of e-bikes; However, the final version of the law on transport obligations lists the “implementation of incentive programs to promote e-bikes” as an authorized use for expenses at the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, which is already working on implementing new incentive programs for e-bikes.

In recent years, e-bike sales have exploded across the country. Most electric bikes (electric bikes) look like regular bikes, but can do a lot more. All types of people enjoy e-bikes, especially people who are looking for an accessible way to get around, people who run daily errands and carry heavy loads or children, and people who commute to work or prefer cycling to car transport. E-bikes help people ride more often, go faster and go further. Are there any age restrictions to watch out for? Massachusetts state e-bicycle laws state that people under the age of 16 are not allowed to ride e-bikes. Wright said he does everything on an electric bike, from driving to Home Depot picking up plywood or just riding a bike around town. The legislation is important, he said, because it would allow the use of e-bikes in more areas. All electric cyclists should be aware of the state`s e-bike laws. If you want to stay safe while enjoying your favorite form of recreation, you need to know the answers to some important questions that we have outlined below. Today we`re going to talk about Massachusetts state`s e-bike laws and what you need to know about e-bike traffic. A law concerning e-bikes subjects users of Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes to the same rights, privileges and obligations as non-e-bikes, as long as they are not used on sidewalks.

Under this law, municipalities would have the final say in issuing regulations on the use of e-bikes on bike lanes, bike lanes or paths with a natural surface profile. E-bikes must meet federal safety requirements for consumer products and have a label with their classification number, maximum speed, and electric bike motor power. The Minister of Transport may make additional regulations for the use of e-bicycles. Our proposal would define an electric bike as a device with 2 or 3 wheels, with a fully functional saddle and pedals for human propulsion and an electric motor with a maximum power of 750 watts. An electric bike would meet one of three classes: There`s a gray area in state law that electric cyclists say creates confusion about who and where people are allowed to use a mode of transportation that is becoming increasingly popular with commuters and commercial delivery services in congested cities like Boston. Owens said 46 other states have similar classifications in the law, calling Massachusetts “far behind” on e-bikes. “Things like speed limits on these trails or deciding that we want simple pedal-assisted bikes and slower e-bikes, but not the bigger cargo bikes, these are conversations we can have, but we can`t even make those decisions until the classification of e-bikes is written into law,” Owens said. Right now, state law puts all e-bikes in the same category as their faster counterparts, mopeds, where people must have a driver`s license to drive them legally.

That means regular e-bikes can`t be used by young people or on trails like Boston`s Esplanade bike path or the 10-mile Minuteman Commuter bike path from Bedford to Alewife MBTA station.