MARLBOROUGH, MA — Marlborough police said they will increase enforcement and education around e-bikes, motorized scooters and similar devices as complaints and safety concerns grow across the city.
Marlborough police officers will focus on reckless operation, unsafe riding in roadways, failure to obey traffic laws and riders younger than 17 who are not wearing helmets, the department said in an announcement on Wednesday.
Officials said the increased attention follows more resident complaints, previous crashes involving serious injuries and broader concerns about unsafe riding in Marlborough.
The effort is meant to prevent more serious injuries while reminding riders and families that the devices must be used safely and responsibly. The department also urged parents to speak with their children about following traffic laws and using proper safety equipment.
Massachusetts law requires riders age 16 and younger to wear helmets while operating or riding a bicycle, scooter or other manually propelled wheeled vehicle.
Police said the city’s goal is to educate riders and prevent injuries before they happen.
Concerns about e-bikes have also surfaced in other Massachusetts communities, including Milford. Earlier this month, a juvenile riding a bicycle was injured after being struck by a vehicle on a busy main road.
Milford Police Chief Robert Tusino said the crash underscored an ongoing problem in town.
“The reality is this is another example of riders in our community ignoring safe bike riding principles, leading to another near tragedy,” Chief Tusino said. “The bicyclist and his companion on the e-bike were seen riding recklessly on the sidewalk and veering in and out of traffic with no concern for oncoming vehicles.”
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