The Electric Bicycle
G.L. c. 90, § 1B — the motorized bicycle: sixteen, a license or permit, twenty-five miles per hour and a helmet
Who and how fast. A motorized bicycle may not be operated on a way by a person under sixteen years of age, or at a speed in excess of twenty-five miles per hour.
A license or permit. A motorized bicycle may not be operated on a way by a person without a valid driver's license or learner's permit.
Where. An operator may use all public ways except limited access or express state highways posted against bicycles, and may ride in bicycle lanes adjacent to the ways, but not on off-street recreational bicycle paths.
The traffic laws. An operator is subject to the traffic laws and regulations, except that the operator may keep to the right when passing a motor vehicle moving in the travel lane, and signals by either hand an intention to stop or turn.
Helmets. Every operator and every passenger wears protective headgear meeting the registrar's standards, and an operator may not carry a passenger who is not wearing it.
| The offense | The fine |
|---|---|
| The offenseA first offense | The fineNot more than twenty-five dollars |
| The offenseA second offense | The fineNot less than twenty-five nor more than fifty dollars |
| The offenseA later offense | The fineNot less than fifty nor more than one hundred dollars |
These rules are written for the motorized bicycle. Whether a particular electric bicycle falls within that term is a question for the registry of motor vehicles, or a licensed Massachusetts attorney.
Sources for this section (1)
- G.L. c. 90, § 1B — Motorized bicycles; operation regulations
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of September 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Massachusetts attorney.