City Council Supports E-Bikes

The use of electric bicycles, or e-bikes, continues to grow rapidly across the United States year after year as the electric motor used on these bicycles expands accessibility of biking to new audiences – particularly seniors, people with disabilities, and people traveling with children or transporting large loads. E-bikes are shown to reduce dependence on single occupancy vehicles, reduce overall vehicle miles traveled, and lower aggregate carbon emissions in the transportation sector.



Under Massachusetts state law, there is no legal designation for e-bike riders, leaving ambiguity in where people are allowed to ride electric bicycles. This week, the Council adopted a resolution, supporting H.3457/S.2309, an Act relative to electric bicycles.



The proposed legislation would grant e-bikes the legal classification necessary for implementing them in Bluebikes municipalities, including the City of Boston, affording e-bike riders the same rights, privileges and duties as other cyclists.



According to the national advocacy organization PeopleForBikes, Massachusetts is one of four remaining states lacking adequate e-bike regulations.