Massachusetts governor Maura Healey has filed legislation to improve the safety of micromobility devices such as e-bikes, e-scooters and mopeds.

The Ride Safe Act builds on recommendations from a statewide commission and responds directly to growing safety concerns on Massachusetts roads, sidewalks and bike lanes. This could lead to similar legislation in other states across the USA.

Micromobility devices are already part of daily life for many Massachusetts residents and businesses, but current law provides limited guidance that creates confusion and increases safety risks for riders, pedestrians and law enforcement. As warmer weather approaches and more residents take to roads, Healey says she is acting now to address rising safety concerns such as reckless driving and crashes, and ensure communities have clear, consistent rules in place to keep people safe.

“Micromobility is already a part of how people get to work, school and around their communities but, right now, the rules are unclear and inconsistent,” she said. “We are seeing too much reckless behaviour, more crashes and close calls, and too many people, especially pedestrians and young riders, are at risk. This bill is about protecting people and preventing tragedies before they happen. The Ride Safe Act will establish clear safety rules, hold riders accountable, reduce congestion and make our roads safer for everyone.” 

The legislation aims to creates a consistent, statewide safety framework focused on reducing crashes, protecting vulnerable road users and giving law enforcement clear authority to act. It introduces a system that regulates devices based on speed rather than device type, helping ensure rules keep pace with rapidly evolving technology while addressing the real safety risks that come with higher-speed devices.

Provisions of the legislation include a first-in-the-nation speed-based framework. For example, lower-speed e-bikes would follow bike lane rules with helmet requirements and protections for riders under 16, while higher-speed devices such as mopeds would be limited to riders aged 16 and older and face stricter requirements, including registration, insurance and roadway restrictions.

There will be stronger rules about where devices can operate to protect pedestrians and reduce conflicts, including restricting higher-speed devices from sidewalks, bike lanes, roadways and other high-risk areas.

The act also proposes improved crash data collection to track injuries and identify safety risks, helping the state target future safety improvements and infrastructure investments.

“This first-in-the-nation legislation offers both the state and municipalities a clear policy framework to reduce confusion about use and speed as more of these devices take to our roads and pathways,” said Samantha Silverberg, undersecretary at Massachusetts Department of Transportation (www.mass.gov/orgs/massachusetts-department-of-transportation). “And by enhancing data collection, it will significantly help us improve safety and better design infrastructure in the future. Overall, the legislation will help residents make safer use of these devices to access transit, commute, and recreate across the state.”

By creating clear, consistent and enforceable rules across the state, the legislation (malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S3077) aims to reduce confusion, strengthen enforcement and improve safety for riders, pedestrians and drivers alike. Improved crash data collection will also help inform future investments and target interventions where safety risks are highest.