The discussion around e-bikes often falls into two camps. One side wants to treat every e-bike like an ordinary bicycle. The other wants to regulate all of them like motorcycles.
I don’t think either approach reflects reality.
Electric bicycles have become an important transportation tool. They help people get to work, attend school, keep medical appointments, and reduce the cost of transportation. For many people, they represent the most affordable way to maintain their independence.
At the same time, we’ve all seen the growing number of powerful electric bikes being ridden at high speeds through neighborhoods, on bike paths, and in traffic. Some are being operated by children who have little understanding of traffic laws. Others have become so powerful that they perform more like scooters—or even motorcycles—than bicycles.
The answer isn’t banning e-bikes.
The answer is matching responsibility to capability.
Transportation Should Help People Improve Their Lives
One of the biggest mistakes government can make is creating barriers that make it harder for people to become productive.
Reliable transportation allows people to get to work, earn money, pay fines, support their families, and eventually restore privileges they may have lost.
If someone loses the ability to drive an automobile, removing every practical transportation option often makes it harder for them to improve their situation.
A transportation system should encourage responsibility—not create impossible obstacles.
A Two-Tier Micromobility System
Rather than treating every electric bicycle the same, I believe Massachusetts should consider a practical two-tier framework while continuing to recognize that electric motorcycles remain a separate category.
Tier 1: Low-Speed Transportation
Tier 1 should remain focused on affordable, everyday transportation.
Requirements could include:
- Minimum operator age of 16.
- Maximum assisted operating speed of approximately 25 mph.
- No driver’s license required.
- No liability insurance required.
- Compliance with traffic laws.
- No passengers unless the bicycle is specifically designed for carrying one.
A speed around 25 mph recognizes that experienced cyclists can reach similar speeds under their own power in some situations, while still keeping this category centered on practical transportation rather than high-performance riding.
Tier 2: Higher-Performance Electric Vehicles
As electric bicycles become heavier, faster, and more powerful, they begin behaving less like bicycles and more like motorized vehicles.
Tier 2 would recognize that change.
Requirements could include:
- A Massachusetts driver’s license or a restricted micromobility endorsement.
- Liability insurance.
- Minimum operator age of 16.
- No passengers unless the vehicle is specifically designed for carrying one.
- Compliance with all traffic laws.
- Full accountability under impaired-operation laws.
Vehicles in this category occupy much of the same operating environment as many scooters. With that additional capability should come additional responsibility.
A Restricted Mobility Endorsement
One of the ideas I believe deserves serious discussion is a restricted endorsement for people who have lost their full driving privileges.
This isn’t intended to excuse bad decisions.
It’s intended to provide a practical pathway forward.
Whether someone’s license was suspended because of unpaid administrative fees or another qualifying reason, they still need a way to get to work and rebuild their lives.
Under this proposal, a person could qualify to operate a Tier 2 vehicle under strict conditions, including:
- No operation while impaired.
- Compliance with all traffic laws.
- Immediate suspension of the endorsement for serious violations.
- Maintaining a clean operating record.
Instead of encouraging illegal driving, the system would encourage responsible transportation.
Capability Matters More Than Labels
One of the problems today is that the term “e-bike” covers an enormous range of machines.
Some truly function like bicycles.
Others are capable of speeds and acceleration that place them much closer to scooters or motorcycles.
The classification should therefore be based on demonstrated capability rather than marketing language.
Evaluation should include:
- Maximum assisted operating speed.
- Vehicle weight.
- Motor output.
- Battery size.
- Braking performance.
- Frame strength.
- Tire ratings.
- Overall stability.
Simply adding pedals to a high-powered electric vehicle should not exempt it from the responsibilities that accompany motorcycle-level performance.
Safety Is More Than Top Speed
Speed alone doesn’t determine whether a vehicle is safe.
A vehicle must also be engineered to safely operate at its intended speed.
That includes braking, steering, frame strength, tire capability, and handling characteristics.
As weight increases—particularly from larger batteries—the vehicle carries more momentum and requires greater stopping distances.
Those engineering realities should be reflected in the regulatory framework.
Electric Motorcycles Remain Their Own Category
This proposal does not eliminate the existing motorcycle category.
Once an electric vehicle reaches performance levels comparable to motorcycles, it should simply be regulated as an electric motorcycle.
That means the same expectations for licensing, registration, insurance, equipment, and operator training that apply to comparable gasoline-powered motorcycles.
The goal is consistency.
If a vehicle performs like a motorcycle, it should be treated like one.
Clear Rules for Public Spaces
Public roads, bike lanes, and shared-use paths should also have clear rules.
Signage should identify:
- Which vehicle categories are permitted.
- Applicable speed limits.
- Areas where powered vehicles are prohibited.
- Expectations when sharing space with pedestrians.
Good laws are easier to follow when they’re easy to understand.
Responsibility Creates Opportunity
This proposal isn’t about making transportation more difficult.
It’s about making transportation more responsible.
Lower-risk electric bicycles should remain affordable and accessible.
Higher-performance electric vehicles should carry greater responsibility.
People who have lost driving privileges should have a structured pathway to regain independence through responsible operation of lower-risk vehicles.
As capability increases, responsibility should increase with it.
That principle protects the public while preserving what transportation should always provide: the opportunity for people to work, improve their lives, and move forward.