A Question for Massachusetts E-Bikers

[6zfshdb]

My wife and I go to Cape Cod every fall to ride the many great trails offered there. In the past, I've taken our conventional MTB's but this year, I would like to use our new class 2 E-bikes. Massachusetts does not permit E-bikes on multi use paths so to do so would be breaking the law.

How strictly are these laws enforced? I've used E-Bikes on MUP's in other states where they technically are prohibited but the laws are not enforced. The local LEO's & park rangers either don't know what an E-bike is, or just don't care. How are violations handled in Massachusetts?

My wife and I are at the age where we can't ride our MTB's as far and as frequently as we once did. We are not aggressive riders, are courteous to others and otherwise law abiding citizens. Our bikes are quite "stealthy" and one has to look carefully to see they are electric assisted. Should we leave our E-Bikes home and use our conventional MTB's ? Or better yet, take our vacation in a state more friendly to E-bikes?

I'm not looking for anyone's approval to break the law here, just some advice from locals out that way.

Thanks for any suggestions you may have.

 

[Nova Haibike]

I don't live there, but I notice there are at least a couple of e-bike shops in Cape Cod, and they both do e-bike rentals. You could call those shops and ask. I'll bet it is like most places; not really enforced.

 

[6zfshdb]

I don't live there, but I notice there are at least a couple of e-bike shops in Cape Cod, and they both do e-bike rentals. You could call those shops and ask. I'll bet it is like most places; not really enforced.

An excellent idea!

I called the Pedego Cape Cod E-bike rental shop and asked about the legality of riding the cape MUP's. There was a pause and then the owner said "Yeah, you're good to go." My take on that is, you can get away with it.

If you look at their website: http://www.pedegoelectricbikes.com/dealers/cape-cod/#rentals-pedego they show a video of a couple riding Pedego Platinum Interceptor bikes (the same model we own) on the Cape Cod Rail Trail. At the bottom of the page, they show maps of all the Cape Cod trails. It appears your guess is correct. The laws are not effectively enforced.

Thanks for your suggestion!

 

[Professorai]

A new ebike owner, i am interested anyone who has done research into the MA laws. the paths say "no motorized vehicles" and don't have any speed limits. IMO they need to say "no throttled motors, and a 15 or 20mph speed limit" which would allow pedal assist bikes, but keep off those pesky new rental scooters and mopeds.

 

[Mr. Coffee]

I don't know about MA, but under most state laws class I and class II e-bikes are not regulated as motorized vehicles, but are rather considered merely bicycles.

 

[Hank M]

I am from MA and don't know what you are talking about. I have seen "No Motorized Vehicles" signs but no eBike restriction signs to date.

RI, however last year implemented a Class 1 eBike only restriction on bike paths but I don't know how they will enforce it and same for any new state regulations. I am going to reject any imposed eBike regulation or restriction made.

Attached find copy of 1/30/2025 The Riders Choice "5 Key Insights of Massachusetts eBike Laws in 2025", search title for actual article, it may give you further insight.

Forget about it! Ride your eBike where you like. Oh, you can ride on sidewalks in MA but not in Boston or Cambridge as they city ordinances that restrict it but will allow you if your safety is a concern.

 

[6zfshdb]

I am from MA and don't know what you are talking about. I have seen "No Motorized Vehicles" signs but no eBike restriction signs to date.

RI, however last year implemented a Class 1 eBike only restriction on bike paths but I don't know how they will enforce it and same for any new state regulations. I am going to reject any imposed eBike regulation or restriction made.

Attached find copy of 1/30/2025 The Riders Choice "5 Key Insights of Massachusetts eBike Laws in 2025", search title for actual article, it may give you further insight.

Forget about it! Ride your eBike where you like. Oh, you can ride on sidewalks in MA but not in Boston or Cambridge as they city ordinances that restrict it but will allow you if your safety is a concern.

Welcome to the forum and thanks for your input!

FWIW, A few years ago, a park ranger at a trailhead on the Cape Cod Rail Trail told me my class 1 e-bike was not allowed. He asked me to leave and waited until I did so. I talked to a few other riders I met at a local bike shop on the cape, who said the same thing was happening on the Shining Sea Trail and the Cape Cod Canal trails. The owner of the bike shop, who also rents e-bikes, said not to worry about it and just ride anyway????

E-bikes were allowed on the Cape Cod National Seashore trails though, so my trip wasn't a total loss.

Not sure just what was going on out on the cape back then, or if it's still an issue today.

 

[stompandgo]

I live Mid-Cape and have ridden almost every rail trail here on two different Class 3 e-bikes. No issues whatsoever. The original post is 8 years old. Lots of things change in 8 years. As long as you are behaving yourself, staying at least close to the 15mph speed limit, and respecting other traffic, there should be no problem. There is a thriving e-bike rental business in Hyannis and all along the CCRT that would not exist if it were illegal to do so.

 

[Underdog]

A new ebike owner, i am interested anyone who has done research into the MA laws. the paths say "no motorized vehicles" and don't have any speed limits. IMO they need to say "no throttled motors, and a 15 or 20mph speed limit" which would allow pedal assist bikes, but keep off those pesky new rental scooters and mopeds.

Where I live in PA, "No motorized vehicles" means anything with a gas powered engine. Cars, ATV's, Motorcycles, are not allowed, but ebikes are everywhere on those paths. Stay under 20 mph and ride responsible, and no one will be the wiser.