To the Editor: I hope you are all well rested after your summer break, fellow Nantucketers from all over. I currently sit on the Bike & Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) with an outstanding group of community members and will be bringing an article about e-bikes and micromobility devices to our next annual town meeting. This article addresses a 20 mph speed limit on all trails, etiquette for oncoming travelers, and registration of certain devices. As you may know, there was an article proposing an outright ban on e-bikes and micromobility devices on our multi-use trails and bike paths, along with a letter from Mr. Rick Angelo, which my BPAC colleagues respectfully disagree with, as they provide significant benefits to Nantucket workers, families, children, visitors, and residents. They also help alleviate some of our traffic problems – see Gary Roberts’ excellent findings and coverage of the WAVE, etc.
My draft proposal, with support from BPAC and hopefully all local bike shops, the sheriff, police and fire departments, and Nantucket Cottage Hospital, includes the following items that need to be changed and new wording added: Article IV ~ Bicycle Right of Way:
The speed limit for Class 1 or 2 bicycles, scooters, micromobility vehicles, or e-bikes on multi-use/shared trails will not exceed 20 miles per hour on Nantucket trails. When within ten (10) feet of a pedestrian (or dog owner), the driver will not travel faster than 5 miles per hour. Before passing a pedestrian, a driver must alert the pedestrian of their presence by voice, bell, or bicycle horn if approaching from behind.
Code of Conduct: An overtaking maneuver occurs when you approach a pedestrian from behind and want to overtake them. The pedestrian has the right of way as they cannot see you coming. The permitted method of overtaking is to shout “left”; this will alert the pedestrian that you are approaching and which side you are passing on. This change affects micromobility/e-bikes on multi-use paths and roads. People in front of you or further down the path have the right of way.
Micromobility, scooters and e-bikes:
A. Electric bicycles (e-bikes) are generally treated the same as other bicycles in Massachusetts, with some additional regulations:
1. Age: Drivers must be at least 16 years old.
2. Speed: Motorized bicycles, including e-bikes, are not allowed to travel faster than 20 miles per hour on sidewalks, but Class 3 bicycles are allowed to travel at the maximum speed allowed on roads.
3. Driving license: Drivers of Class 3 e-bikes must have a valid driving license or learner’s permit.
4. Locations: E-bikes are allowed on roads, cycle paths, cycle tracks and paved roads, but not on footpaths or natural paths unless permitted by local authorities. Class 3 e-bikes are only allowed on roads.
5. Safety: Drivers must comply with federal safety regulations.
6. Violations of these laws can result in a fine of up to TBD. The police or city council can impound the bike of a rider who violates the law for up to 15 days.
B. For Class 3 micromobiles, motor scooters, and electric bikes, which I consider to be mopeds or motorcycles, operating a Class 3 vehicle requires the wearing of a helmet that meets the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s bicycle helmet specifications.
C. In Massachusetts, motorized bicycles, including e-bikes, must be registered with the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles and have a valid registration sticker. They can be used on all public rights-of-way, but not on highways or expressways where bicycles are prohibited.
Next, I will be meeting with Mrs. Beth Hallet of Nantucket Public Schools, Cassie Thompson, NPD’s School Resource Officer, Amy Vorenberg, Nantucket New School Principal, and Emily Miller of Lighthouse School to provide an educational bike and etiquette program and safety course that includes instruction, guidance, and (hopefully) lessons from our local bike shops that offer the best (i.e., coolest) and safest bike helmets on the market. Perhaps the Sheriff’s Department, along with possible funding from public or private entities, could cover the cost of the helmets for every member (or as many as possible per year) of the Nantucket School System. We could then create a bike riding program consisting of bike stations that teach the kids better bike handling. Perhaps this could be part of a physical education requirement. This would apply to all modes of transportation used by the youth of our community.
I know that every July the Siasconset Civic Association hosts a bike and scooter safety day for young children, run in conjunction with NPD SRO Cassie Thompson, and I asked her to show me her bike riding skills guide.
My/our idea is to train the riders early so that this is no longer an issue. I remember when I started downhill skiing in the 1970s: nobody wore a helmet, and today 98 percent of uphill skiers wear a helmet.
We know it is too late to implement this by the summer of 2025, but with constructive criticism and consideration, we have come up with the best article possible. So if anyone would like to help refine the article, please contact me at [email protected] or attend one of the BPAC meetings. Otherwise, I/we humbly ask for your vote of approval at our annual town meeting.
Greetings,
Joseph Topham
Vice Chairman of the Nantucket Planning Board
