As electric bicycles surge in popularity among Marblehead teens, town officials are wrestling with how to balance the technology’s benefits against mounting safety concerns, particularly for young riders navigating powerful adult-sized models on local streets.
The Traffic Safety Advisory Committee devoted significant time during its recent meeting to discussing e-bike regulation, with members expressing concern about enforcement challenges and the possible need for clearer municipal guidelines as state law struggles to keep pace to regulate them.
Conversations with kids
“It’s not so much policing, [that] is not going to be the way to fix it, right?” Police Chief Dennis King told the committee during the discussion. He added, “It’s parents buying (their) kids $1500, $2,000 e-bikes. If you do, have conversations around them (about using them safely).”
Under Massachusetts law, Class 1 and 2 e-bikes — those with motors up to 750 watts that assist up to 20 mph — are legal for riders of any age and do not require a driver’s license. Riders under 17 must wear helmets, and e-bikes are prohibited on sidewalks statewide. However, the law does not define Class 3 e-bikes, which can reach 28 mph, leaving a regulatory gap.
Committee Chair Gary Herbert emphasized the need for local action and suggested that the committee research e-bike bylaws adopted in other communities.
“This committee should do a quick search of e-bike and scooter bylaws from around the country to see whether we ought to adopt something similar,” Herbert said.
The discussion revealed that Marblehead has experienced several e-bike-related incidents in the past 18 months, though none resulted in serious injuries. King noted crashes involving e-bikes hitting cars and parked vehicles — a particular concern in a town where approximately 40% of collisions already involve parked cars due to narrow streets.
“We’ve had some incidents,” King said, adding that the department has documented about 300 accidents annually in recent years.
DPW Superintendent Amy McHugh raised infrastructure concerns, particularly regarding sight lines and pedestrian safety at key intersections like Five Corners and the complex junction of Mugford and Elm streets. The department is planning to add bike lane markings on several major roads including Humphrey Street, Atlantic Avenue, Tedesco Street and Lafayette Street as part of upcoming infrastructure work.
Broader trends
The meeting discussion reflected broader trends across Massachusetts, where e-bike sales have exploded. More than 1.1 million e-bikes were sold nationally in 2022, nearly four times the 2019 figure. The state launched a rebate program in 2025 offering vouchers of $500 to $1,200 for qualifying residents, with program managers reporting overwhelming demand.
“The technology is outpacing the regulation,” King said, drawing parallels to earlier challenges with modified scooters exceeding legal specifications.
Committee members expressed particular concern about young riders on adult-sized e-bikes, which can weigh 80 pounds or more. The lack of registration requirements compounds enforcement difficulties, as officers cannot easily identify vehicles or riders involved in violations.
The committee discussed potential regulatory approaches, including restrictions on rail trails where speed limits exist but enforcement remains challenging. Herbert suggested that e-bikes traveling faster than 15 mph might require special consideration, particularly on bike paths.
Education over regulation
State legislation pending in the 2023-2025 session could address some regulatory gaps. Senate Bill S.2373 and House Bill H.3758 would define Class 3 e-bikes, while S.2347 would create a task force to improve enforcement of laws governing e-bikes, scooters and similar devices.
For now, King emphasized education over enforcement, noting that many young riders do wear helmets — a positive sign compared to other communities. However, speed remains the primary safety concern.
“I do see a lot of kids with helmets,” King said. “But again, that’s only one part of it, right?”
The committee agreed to continue researching potential bylaws and regulations at its Aug. 18 meeting, recognizing that any local solution must balance safety concerns with the technology’s transportation benefits while acknowledging enforcement limitations in a community that “tends to be a community that doesn’t want to regulate,” as King observed.
