Massachusetts: Healey files ‘first-in-the-nation' legislation regulating e-bikes, mopeds and scooters
Posted by Lazy_Football_511@reddit | ebikes | View on Reddit | 57 comments
CraziFuzzy@reddit
what is 'first-in-the-nation' about this?
southern_boy@reddit
The fact that it's written in the headline 😆
-grison-@reddit
Upon initial reading of the legislative text, these regulations seem sensible:
pterencephalon@reddit
Where do Class 3 fit into that?
-grison-@reddit
Sorry; I mistyped my summary. The second bullet applies to Class 3, not Class 2,
pterencephalon@reddit
Ah, that definitely makes more sense.
I hope they also post speed limits clearly on multi-use paths. We have some that get really busy (eg Somerville community path) where using the full speed of a class 3 e-bike just isn't safe. (I think there might be a 15 mph limit but I don't recall seeing it posted?) I ride a class 3 e-bike, but most places I ride no more than 20 mph because I'm in a denser area.
-grison-@reddit
I'm not in MA, but in my area speed limits for multi-use paths are generally 15 mph. I'd much rather see more behavior-based enforcement than class-based limits. Even an analog bike can be operated dangerously.
BoringBob84@reddit
Great! Then I can ride my Ninja sport bike down the non-motorized paths. Trust me bro - I'll be careful! / sarcasm
In other words, I think we need enforcement on the capability of the machines and on rider behavior.
-grison-@reddit
I agree, and I didn't provide sufficient context for my comment. I don't think your Ninja sport bike, or any of the other high-speed devices the proposed law would prohibit, belong on a multi-use path. But I would rather see more behavior-based enforcement than further class restrictions for bicycles. (For example. my current class 3 ebike actually has a less powerful motor than my old class 1 ebike did. I can't go any faster on it than I could on my old bike, but the new one is lighter and has a longer range.)
BoringBob84@reddit
My example is admittedly ridiculous, but as we see in this sub on a regular basis, people push the limits of what they can get away with by adding ornamental pedals to increasingly powerful and fast electric motorcycles and heavy cargo bikes.
I agree that enforcing behavior is most important, but I think that it is also important to regulate the machines. This can minimize the damage that irresponsible riders can do while having a minimal impact on responsible riders.
In my opinion, Class 3 ebikes have a very narrow use case. If I lived somewhere without bike lanes or shared paths and where riding on the sidewalk was illegal, then my only option would be to ride on the roads. Then - and only then - would I consider a Class 3 ebike. However, I would probably get a legal motorcycle instead.
In my case, I have access to non-motorized infrastructure, so I get the most utility and versatility from a Class 1 ebike.
-grison-@reddit
We actually had our class 3 ebikes limited by the dealer to class 1. (It's a non-user-accessible setting that exists because the same hardware is sold in different countries with different rules, so the dealer can re-configure and re-sticker the bike upon request.) We have no need for assistance beyond 20 mph, and even the dealer we worked with (who rides the same bike at the default class 3) said he can't get it anywhere near 28 mph unless he's on a downhill.
My point with this example isn't that 28mph bikes should be sharing space with folks walking on multi-use paths -- but rather that the class system itself provides a limited view of a bike's capabilities that may not always align well with actual risk factors. Admittedly, our particular bikes may not be typical, since they have small motors, lower torque, and are intended to operate much more like an analog bike than a typical 60-lb ebike.
BoringBob84@reddit
You make good points. I think this is a case of, "The law is a blunt instrument." Ideally, a law should solve a problem with minimal burden to innocent people and it should be easy to enforce.
While I admire the flexibility that the three-class ebike system gives to local governments, I am starting to think it is too difficult to enforce:
In most cases, a police officer cannot tell by looking that an ebike is illegal.
Even if the rider is exceeding 20 MPH, that could be legal on a downhill section or in an area where Class 3 is legal.
And because throttles are legal, a police officer cannot confirm by watching that the pedals are "fully operable," as the law requires.
And finally, without license plates, it is very difficult to hold irresponsible riders accountable.
I am not saying that I have the solutions, but I believe that these are problems that we need to solve. Otherwise, the temptation for the general public to demand that governments ban all ebikes becomes too great.
-grison-@reddit
Agreed!
pterencephalon@reddit
These MA laws are primarily letting all classes of e-bikes operate on these paths, but would still be subject to the speed limits. It would also legalize other low-speed devices like e-scooters that are often in a gray area, but keep mopeds off the bike paths. It actually seems like a reasonable balance of a law.
But I also don't have high hopes for enforcement. Our cops are too busy ticketing cyclists turning right on red while they ignore the cars doing the same thing and cars parking in bike lanes.
Dook23@reddit
This is what I agree with too. A class 1 model can break posted trail speed limits so why should only certain models be banned. Enforce the speed limits on the trails equally across the board regardless of class/model.
BoringBob84@reddit
Allowing Class 3 ebikes on non-motorized paths with pedestrians is dangerous. This is generally prohibited where I live - roads and bike lanes along roads only.
Maxrdt@reddit
We let cats that can do 100 mph onto streets with a 20 mph speed limit. A bike that can do 28mph shouldn't be restricted from a path with a lower speed limit just because it CAN go faster. Are we also going to ban anybody for because they CAN pedal their bike faster?
BoringBob84@reddit
That is a false equivalency. Cars that can do 100 MPH are not allowed in pedestrian spaces. Ebikes are. Therefore, ebikes should perform like bicycles; not like motorcycles.
Maxrdt@reddit
Looks like it was your turn to make a false equivalence, motorcycles can do way more than 28mph and weigh massively more than any bike.
Class 3 ebikes are fine on bike lanes. Vehicles are not run ONLY at their maximum speed. If people are going too fast for conditions that's on them, but blanket banning safe and practical bicycles from bike lanes is not the answer.
BoringBob84@reddit
Only the most elite professional athletes can maintain a 28 MPH pace on a bicycle. That is an easy pace for a small motorcycle. For the safety of non-motorized users, ebikes should perform more like bicycles than like motorcycles.
Maybe, if pedestrians are prohibited. A collision with a pedestrian at 28 MPH will cause four times the injury as a collision at 14 MPH (typical bicycle speed).
Maxrdt@reddit
You're really fundamentally missing the point that you don't have to go your maximum speed all the time. In fact most people don't! We have this cool things called speed limits for that.
Yes higher speeds carry more energy for crashes. Obviously. A crash at 20 mph also carries four times as much energy as a crash at 10, why not limit it to 10? A crash at 10 has four times as much energy as a crash at 5, why not limit it at 5?
BoringBob84@reddit
I am not missing the point. I understand it well and I am challenging it. I agree that most people will ride at a safe speed, but those who don't can cause a lot of damage and injury. If we limit the capability of the machines, then we limit that damage that irresponsible riders can do while having minimal impact on responsible riders.
Your strawman argument aside, these speed limits are not arbitrary. They (i.e., 32 kph in N America and 25 kph in EU) are typical speeds that a significant proportion of bicyclists can reach. The point is that ebikes are bicycles and should travel at similar speeds for equivalent safety. When speeds get ridiculously high (like 45 kph and above) then the risk of serious injury or death rises dramatically.
Taiyoryu@reddit
Everyone needs to make a buck, but I look forward to not having to deal with delivery drivers in the bike lanes, especially when they're impersonating salmon, cutting across Copley Square, or just straight up parking their vehicles and blocking the lane.
evanthedrago@reddit
This seems reasonable.
GTAIVisbest@reddit
Low speed e bikes can use bike lanes, high speed e mopeds use roads and can only be ridden by 16+ riders. Seems pretty standard to me. Didn't see anything about insurance or registration or plating reqs
Some-Way9375@reddit
So e-bikes and cars can use bike lanes!
myReddit-username@reddit
As far as I’m aware, this is all mostly already the law in Massachusetts
elementarydeardata@reddit
And a lot of places. Most problems with ebikes that are actually misclassified mopeds and motorcycles would be solved if states bothered to enforce the existing laws
stormdelta@reddit
It's only reasonable if what they're calling "Tier 1" can still use unprotected bike lanes. If not, this is still a failure as forcing bikes that only go 20-28mph into the road with traffic going 30-40mph will only get people killed. And of course any attempt to require Tier 1 to have driver's licenses would be wildly counterproductive from a safety POV since it would just push those people back into far more dangerous cars.
As long as they don't commit either of those sins though, this seems fine to me.
Fair-Discipline-1005@reddit
I totaly agree with this...👍
Dexion1619@reddit
I think this indicates that the bill turns over insurance and registration decisions of anything above Tier 0 too the Regustar of the DMV without needing legislative approval?
“The registrar may promulgate regulations establishing registration, licensure, insurance, fines and other requirements for micromobility devices necessary to promote public and roadway safety,” according to the bill’s text.
nowaybrose@reddit
If so that’s reasonable to me
rocketwidget@reddit
Worth noting our State's bike advocacy group MassBike was a partner in the commission that made the reccomendations forming the basis of this Act.
https://www.massbike.org/micromobility_ordinances
RockHead-MA@reddit
I talked to Galen Mook, head of MassBike at the Boston City Council meeting a couple of weeks ago about the report. We both agreed, "It's not perfect, but it's pretty good overall."
Of course, we know that there will actually be exactly zero enforcement...
Lazy_Football_511@reddit (OP)
I do like MassBike.
Some-Way9375@reddit
No traffic laws are enforced in greater Boston, so ho will this change anything?
Superb_Raccoon@reddit
"Its Class 3, but Tier 1... or is that Class q and Tier 3?"
chef's kiss
TopRepulsive4766@reddit
I'm skeptical about this being 'first-in-the-nation'. It seems similar to regulations in other areas.
I wonder how enforceable it will be. You can pass laws willy-nilly, but if they can't be enforced, they are just so much prose. I suppose enforcement could be done. But it would take massive amounts of police resources that would be better utilised elsewhere (like for criminal acts, murders, robberies, etc.).
BoringBob84@reddit
It sounds like political grandstanding - as if Taxachusettes was the first state in the nation to deal with ebike regulations. (eye roll)
TopRepulsive4766@reddit
Political grandstanding = lying.
BoringBob84@reddit
I am sure that this legislation has a few features that make it different from other states (like grouping micro-mobility by speed classes, as if ebike classes were not confusing enough to enforce on their own), so it is technically, "first in the nation" (i.e., not a lie), but it is not completely new and innovative as the description implies (i.e., an exaggeration).
TopRepulsive4766@reddit
Yeah. I do understand. I was sorta being facetious.
evaan-verlaine@reddit
I read the bill, delineates bikes and emotos by both class and top speed. Classes 1&2 are generally treated like normal bicycles, class 3s (and higher powered PEVs) are restricted to riders 16 or older. Also requires riders/passengers under 16 to wear helmets. Restricts PEVs that go 30+ mph from sidewalks and bike lanes (classes 1-3 still fine). In particular I liked:
which closes the "unlocking" loophole. It also restricts ebikes sold without battery ratings:
Lazy_Football_511@reddit (OP)
I wish the electrical systems ratings was in effect when I was shopping. I went into my local store to buy a Velotric Fold but the shop owner told me their batteries were junk and talked me into buying a Foo F1 which I cannot find ratings for. Should never be so trusting in someone until they earn it.
touko3246@reddit
I wonder what's the legal definition of "propulsion power" is here. Changing gearing to increase torque, while the total power in engineering speak should be virtually unchanged (minus potential differences in drivetrain losses), may make the bike become "more powerful" in non-engineering lingo...
BoringBob84@reddit
If it ever goes to court, the attorneys can bring in experts to testify if necessary. It is basic physics. We can trade off torque and speed at the same power level.
Taiyoryu@reddit
UL certification for batteries and ebikes was not widely adopted until 2022-2023. I wonder if bikes sold prior will be grandfathered in. Also, will retailers have a grace period to sell non-compliant vehicles that they have in stock?
boncros@reddit
politicians doing the 'important' work. ugh
FluffyReflection3847@reddit
One of the states that heavily taxes people,have found a way to make more money off of the residents. New Jersey is trying to do the same by regulating e-bikes
Gold_Area5109@reddit
There is no information about specifics in the article so...
The only truely concerning thing is that it pulls "micromobility" devices under the DMV, but without specifics even that is hard to comment on.
Taiyoryu@reddit
If you want to read the bill...
Rawlus@reddit
full text and recommendations from the special committee
Lazy_Football_511@reddit (OP)
Added a link with a little more detailed info.
LowBarometer@reddit
If we could just get the kids riding e-motorcycles 40+ mph off the sidewalks I'd be happy.
ICQME@reddit
I wonder if this will make it easier to register powerful/fast ebikes to be used like motorcycles.
Rawlus@reddit
the pop over ads on that website are so annoying.
Lazy_Football_511@reddit (OP)
With my ad blocker, I would not know. I added another link that looks more informative.