We Oppose The Mandatory E-bike Registry Proposed Under Article P31


Andover recently proposed a bylaw (article P31) for consideration by Town Meeting that would establish a mandatory e-bike registry, requiring those who own and operate fully legal class 1 or class 2 (less than 20mph) e-bikes to register and display a sticker or license plate, while explicitly omitting any additional responsibilities or requirements for riders of electric motorcycles and other “out of class” (>20mph) devices.


Walk Bike Andover strongly opposes this article and instead calls on the town to support the recommendations recently published by the state Special Commission on Micromobility.


Citing instances involving electric two-wheeled vehicles travelling more than 20mph– by state law definition not an e-bike– Andover proposes a measure that would shift the responsibility for addressing the issue of illegal electric motorcycle and “out of class” device usage on to those already operating within the current legal framework for e-bikes, rather than those who currently operate outside it. Put bluntly, anyone currently operating an electric motorcycle or other “out of class” two-wheeled vehicle at speeds above 20mph would be unaffected by the proposed bylaw. To be clear, operation of these >20mph vehicles are already regulated under Massachusetts General Law with explicit requirements for age, licensing, registration, and helmet use.


In contrast, the MA Special Commission on Micromobility’s recommendations to the state legislature work to eliminate the existing ambiguity in the classification framework and propose a speed-based tier system. Crucially, this recommended framework maintains the existing classification of “low-speed” (class 1 or 2, assistance only up to 20mph) e-bikes regulated primarily as simple bicycles, without mandatory insurance or registration. This approach maintains the low barrier to entry for low-speed e-bikes and does not place any additional burden on those who use them. Micromobility devices capable of speeds greater than 20mph would face additional requirements under the commission’s proposal, including registration with the state.


Rather than contributing to an already confusing e-bike regulatory environment by creating its own local registration system, we call on Andover to withdraw their proposed Town Meeting article and instead support the recommendations of the MassDOT Micromobility Commission. By eliminating classification ambiguity while maintaining low-barrier access to low-speed ebikes, we strongly believe that Andover and the state at large can tackle both congestion and climate change challenges by encouraging broader safe e-bike usage.

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