E-bikes offer fast, accessible transportation in Marblehead, helping reduce car traffic and pollution. They improve mobility for all ages but must be used safely and in accordance with road rules to protect everyone.
Since 2020, there have been seven minor e-bike and car accidents in Marblehead. As e-bike use increases, however, more incidents may occur.
Massachusetts allows two types of e-bikes — Class 1 and Class 2 — to be ridden by all ages without a license or registration. Without modification, each of these types of e-bikes maxes out at 20 mph; the main difference is that Class 2 bikes can be accelerated using a throttle in addition to pedaling.
Class 3 e-bikes, meanwhile, can reach speeds up to 28 mph and are treated as motorized bicycles, requiring registration, a license and helmets.
However, Class 1 and 2 e-bikes can be modified to go faster, with information easily found online.
In Marblehead, e-bikes can go almost anywhere pedal bikes are allowed, including on roadways and in bike lanes, and on bike paths and paved trails.
They are not allowed on sidewalks and most natural surface trails, like mountain bike trails.
Of course, e-bike riders must follow traffic laws, stay alert, ride safely and be courteous.
Helmets are required for riders under 17 and recommended for others. Extra protection and visibility gear are encouraged, especially at night.
With the surge in young e-bike riders, Marblehead has made public education central to its approach to keeping everyone safe.
According to Chairman Rick Smyers, the Traffic Safety Advisory Committee plans to educate students in grades 4-8, parents and adults through presentations, flyers, email and social media.
Topics for young riders include safety, high-speed responsibility, stopping distances, visibility and courteous riding. Topics for parents and adults include laws, safety, buying e-bikes and preventing unsafe modifications.
They plan to begin outreach with school administrators and PTOs in January. Training will be done before ridership picks up in the spring.
We applaud the committee for its training plan. We hope it provides the desired results. The committee should articulate its goals and objectives — what it is looking for from the training and how to measure success.
The committee should consider engaging the Police Department, Marblehead Public Schools, the Public Works and Highway departments, and Marblehead Cycle to offer hands-on e-bike safety courses and drills with some form of certification upon completion.
There are also online e-bike safety courses available for different age groups and skill levels through the statewide, not-for-profit advocacy and educational organization MassBike that the committee could consider. Testing is part of the package, so riders, parents, adults and the committee will know whether the messages have been delivered and where to direct effort if they fall short.
Signage along key bicycle routes to and from schools is another form of education that the committee could think about. It’s a way to get the key messages out there for all riders, not just those targeted by the committee.
The committee should also seek more complete information from the Police Department on any e-bike incidents, along with the department’s recommendations on how to prevent repeat incidents. It would be a way for the committee to know where training needs to be targeted if patterns are uncovered.
The town should encourage e-bikes and pedal bikes. With e-bikes, regulation may be necessary, but for now we look forward to seeing the fruits of the town’s education campaign. With a strong commitment to safety, the town is providing a service to e-bike and pedal bike riders, including automobile drivers and pedestrians.
The Current Editorial Board
The members of the Current’seditorial board are Bob Peck, chairman of the Current; Virginia Buckingham, president of the Current's board of directors; board member Brian Birke, Current editorial staff member Kris Olson, and Joseph P. Kahn, a retired Boston Globe journalist.
