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SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1587 FILED ON: 1/19/2023
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 2230
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
Sal N. DiDomenico
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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:
The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:
An Act relative to class 3 electric bicycles.
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PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :Sal N. DiDomenicoMiddlesex and SuffolkMichael J. BarrettThird Middlesex2/14/2023 1 of 2
SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1587 FILED ON: 1/19/2023
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 2230
By Mr. DiDomenico, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2230) of Sal N. DiDomenico
and Michael J. Barrett for legislation relative to class 3 electric bicycles. Transportation.
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Third General Court
(2023-2024)
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An Act relative to class 3 electric bicycles.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority
of the same, as follows:
1 Section 1 of chapter 90 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2020 Official Edition, is
2hereby amended by inserting after the definition of “Class 2 electric bicycle” the following
3definition:-
4 "Class 3 – an electric bicycle equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when
5the rider is pedaling, and that ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of
628 miles per hour;"
7 Section 1 of chapter 90, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by inserting within
8the definition of “Department” the following definition:-
9 “'Electric bicycle”, a bicycle or tricycle equipped with fully operable pedals and an
10electric motor of 750 watts or less that meets the requirements of a class 1 electric bicycle, class
112 electric bicycle, or class 3 electric bicycle." 2 of 2
12 Chapter 85 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2020 Official Edition, is hereby
13amended by inserting in section 11B¾ the following:-
14 "Class 3 electric bicycles shall not be ridden on a bike path or shared-use path unless
15permitted by the municipality, local authority or state agency having jurisdiction over that path;
16 A municipality, local authority or state agency with jurisdiction over a natural surface
17trail designated for bicycle use made by clearing and grading the soil, after public notice and a
18public hearing may adopt ordinances or regulations prohibiting or otherwise regulating the
19operation of electric bicycles on such paths, including, but not limited to, the imposition of speed
20limits."
21 Chapter 85 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2020 Official Edition, is hereby
22amended by striking in section 11B3/4 the following:-
23 "(d) An electric bicycle shall not be operated on a trail designated for nonmotorized
24traffic, that a municipality, local authority or state agency has jurisdiction over, if such trail has a
25natural surface tread made by clearing and grading the soil and no surfacing materials have been
26added; provided, however, that a municipality, local authority or state agency after public notice
27and a public hearing may adopt ordinances or regulations permitting or otherwise regulating the
28use of electric bicycles on such a trail within its jurisdiction, including, but not limited to, the
29imposition of speed limits."
30 Chapter 85 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2020 Official Edition, is hereby
31amended by striking in section 11B3/4 (b) the following:- "that electric bicycles shall not be
32ridden or operated on sidewalks."