Governor Maura Healey filed legislation to strengthen public safety and regulate micromobility devices, like e-bikes, scooters and mopeds. An Act to enhance the safe use of micromobility devices, otherwise known as the “Ride Safe Act,” builds on recommendations from a statewide commission created under the Mass Leads Act and responds directly to growing safety concerns on Massachusetts roads, sidewalks and bike lanes, positioning Massachusetts as a national leader in regulating emerging transportation technologies.

Micromobility devices are already part of daily life for many Massachusetts residents and businesses, but current law provides limited guidance that creates confusion and increases safety risks for riders, pedestrians and law enforcement. As warmer weather approaches and more residents take to roads, Governor Healey is acting now to address rising safety concerns such as reckless driving and crashes, and ensure communities have clear, consistent rules in place to keep people safe.

The Massachusetts Healthy Aging Collaborative is grateful to MassDOT for engaging in conversation on how older adults and age-friendly community efforts could be included and considered as part of the recommendations of the Micromobility Commission. Several MHAC partners, including WalkMassachusetts and MassBike, served on the commission itself.

The Governor’s legislation creates a consistent, statewide safety framework focused on reducing crashes, protecting vulnerable road users and giving law enforcement clear authority to act. It introduces a new system that regulates devices based on speed rather than device type, helping ensure rules keep pace with rapidly evolving technology while addressing the real safety risks that come with higher-speed devices

Key provisions of the legislation include:

• A first-in-the-nation, speed-based framework. For example, lower-speed e-bikes would follow bike lane rules with helmet requirements and protections for riders under 16, while higher-speed devices like mopeds would be limited to riders age 16 and older and face stricter requirements, including registration, insurance and roadway restrictions.
• Clear, enforceable safety standards to prevent injuries and crashes, including: minimum age requirements for operating certain e-bikes and scooters, including requiring riders of higher-speed devices to be at least 16 years old, helmet requirements for specific device categories, including requirements for riders under 16, mandatory safety equipment  such as lights, reflectors and braking systems to improve visibility and reduce collisions.
• Stronger rules about where devices can operate to protect pedestrians and reduce conflicts, including restricting higher-speed devices from sidewalks, bike lanes, roadways, and other high-risk areas.
• Increased accountability for higher-speed and modified devices, including restrictions on unsafe modifications that increase speed beyond manufacturer limits and create dangerous conditions.
• Clear enforcement authority for law enforcement, ensuring officers can apply consistent rules and penalties to unsafe behavior across device types.
• Improved crash data collection to better track injuries and identify safety risks, helping the state target future safety improvements and infrastructure investments.
• New authority for the Registry of Motor Vehicles to respond quickly to new technologies without waiting for additional legislation to ensure that safety rules keep pace with new devices entering the market.
• A statewide working group to guide next steps, including recommending future policies on registration, enforcement and infrastructure. This legislation builds on the work of the 15-member Special Commission on Micromobility, which filed its report in January 2026  following extensive engagement with state agencies, municipalities, advocates, businesses and law enforcement, industry and advocates. The bill reflects the Commission’s recommendations to create a clear, statewide framework while allowing flexibility to adapt to rapidly evolving technology.