If Haverhill city councilors had their way, driver’s licenses and helmets would be required for anyone riding an e-bike, scooter or other motorized vehicles and the minimum age would be 18.
Councilors are pondering updating city ordinances to cover so-called micromobility devices to include who can use electric scooters and bikes and under what conditions. Proposed regulations have become more urgent in the wake of an accident last week that took the life of a 12-year-old and sent her friend to the hospital in serious condition. The pair had been riding a motorized scooter when it collided with a school bus.
Ward 4 Councilor Melissa J. Lewandowski introduced the topic of tightening the city’s electric bike and electric scooter regulations at Tuesday’s Council meeting, saying that at a minimum she thinks the councilors should send a letter to legislators, encouraging them to support Gov. Maura Healey’s “Ride Safe Act.” The bill, currently on the agenda of the legislature’s Joint Committee on Transportation, would replace the current two-tiered classification system for e-bikes with four tiers based on speed. It would mandate helmets and limit those under 16 to slower vehicles.
Haverhill Police Lt. Kevin Lynch said because state regulations do not address electric scooters directly, the city solicitor is looking into whether the city can regulate the minimum age of a rider along with license and insurance requirements.
“The problem we have is these children don’t know the rules of the road. When you’re on a bicycle or a scooter you’re supposed to abide by all rules of the road, the same as a driver does. Well, as you know, children don’t. That’s why on mopeds we require a learner’s permit or license so at least you have some understanding of the rules of the road,” Lynch said.
He said changes would protect drivers as well as scooter and e-bike riders. Lynch explained the ordinance amendment under consideration would require all riders to be at least 18, have a valid license and registration, wear helmets and follow all traffic regulations. Penalties for violating rules would be the loss of the vehicle on the first offense and an adult would have to claim it at the end of the impound period. On the second offense, the lockup period would be 30 days; the third offense, 90 days; and on a fourth offense; the scooter would be seized. If a child were to repeatedly violate the ordinance parents could be fined.
Lynch noted there is currently no age restriction on who can ride an electric scooter and that some scooters can hit 40 miles an hour.
Lewandowski and Ward 6 Councilor Michael S. McGonagle both said they like the idea of fining parents and holding them accountable.
“So, if we enhance our restrictions in our ordinance and then find out that a parent or caretaker has purchased that bike, it would be a method for us to fine them and impound the vehicle,” Lewandowski said.
Lewandowski also suggested police consider bringing an educational program to city schools.
Ward 5 Councilor Shaun P. Toohey suggested, and his colleagues agreed, the Council send the matter to its Traffic and Public Safety Committee, chaired by McGonagle, for further vetting as long as the committee meets quickly. They also voted unanimously to send a letter of support to the city’s legislative delegation encouraging the passage of the governor’s Ride Safe Act.