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Massachusetts e-bike, scooter, and moped Laws
Within the last few years we have seen a proliferation of personal mobility devices introduced to our everyday lives for the purposes of helping us get around easier without harming the environment. The Boston area in particular has been introduced to public bicycle rental stalls throughout the city and surrounding communities, enabling riders to rent a bicycle in one city and return it to another city surrounding Boston. In the summer months our cities and sidewalks are filled with brightly colored scooters just like the ones you use to ride around on as a child. These devices are offered by companies like Lime Bike, Uber, and Bird Scooter. However, these scooters are commonly known as e-
scooters or electric scooters.
Electric scooters have the ability to reach speeds in excess of 20 MPH. Often riders are able to rent these devices without any safety equipment, prior experience or training, or insurance. These scooters have been known to cause serious injuries to both rider and other pedestrians on the streets of Boston, Brookline, and the surrounding cities. In 2019, Reuters reported: “E-bikes and electric scooters are becoming increasingly popular in the United States, but the powered bikes carry a higher risk of severe injuries than traditional bicycles and a different pattern of injury risks compared with scooters, a recent study finds.” The report went on to describe that those injured in electric scooter accidents were more likely to have internal injuries, and more severely, serious concussions.
If you or someone you love has been injured or killed in an electric scooter accident in Boston by no fault of your own, it is important that you speak with an experienced Boston electric scooter lawyer immediately. Often due to the seriousness of the injuries sustained in these accidents these claims are often complex and require the knowledge of an experienced Boston scooter accident lawyer.
The risks of electric scooter accidents in Boston
Whether it is a rental or personally owned electric scooter, traversing the streets of Boston and surrounding cities can be a dangerous undertaking. There are unfortunately weekly reports of bicyclists and other personal transportation pedestrians seriously injured or killed. These injuries are often caused by distracted drivers, illegal right turns, and the inability to see riders.
Recent research suggests “…many e-scooter riders lack experience. Forty percent of the e-scooter riders interviewed had been injured on their first ride. “Inexperience increases crash risk for virtually every form of transportation.” Often determining who is liable and what insurance coverage is available is the first thing that should be done. An experienced Boston electric scooter accident lawyer will be able to advise you of the important rights and help you navigate the process of these claims.
Massachusetts electric scooter law and electric bike law
While Massachusetts has not adopted a formal e-bike law yet, good reference is the motorized bicycle statute originally promulgated for mopeds. Operators need to be 16 years of age or older to ride and possess a driver’s license or learner permit. No motorized bike shall operate on a way greater than 25 mph. Persons operating or riding as a passenger must wear a helmet. Such motorized bikes are excluded from off-street recreational paths, state highways and where signage prohibit bicycles.
Again while Massachusetts has not adopted a formal e-scooter law yet, good reference is the motorized scooter statute. Operators need to possess a driver’s license or learner permit. Use on permitted public ways except state highways and where signage prohibits scooters or bicycles. Operators shall be subject to all traffic laws and regulations in the Commonwealth except operators must keep to the right including when passing, scooters must be equipped with turn signals so operators keep both hands on at all times and no person shall operate a scooter before sunrise or after sunset. Like e-bikes, helmets required. However, no passengers allowed!
What to do if you have been injured in an Boston electric scooter accident
If you have been injured by an electric scooter or an electric bike by no fault of your own it is important that you know your rights and determine what your next steps forward should be. You must find all available insurance policies and notify them immediately in order to protect your rights and interests going forward. Having an experienced Boston area electric bike accident lawyer fighting for you should be your first step. An experienced scooter accident attorney can will fight for you.
