E-Bike Safety Enforcement Planned Near Whitcomb Middle School

MARLBOROUGH, MA — Students traveling to school by e-bike, bicycle or scooter can expect increased enforcement near Whitcomb Middle School this week.

Officers from the Marlborough Police Department’s Traffic Unit and Community Policing Unit will be in the area during morning drop-off Wednesday, focusing on e-bike, bicycle, scooter, and helmet laws. The department said it has seen an increase in e-bike-related problems across the city this summer.

Under the rules shared by police, an e-bike must have working pedals, a motor rated at 750 watts or less and motor assistance that stops at 20 mph. Massachusetts recognizes Class 1 pedal-assist e-bikes and Class 2 throttle-assisted e-bikes.

Riders do not need a license or registration for qualifying e-bikes, but they must obey traffic laws and may not ride on sidewalks. Police require helmets for riders younger than 17 and strongly recommend them for everyone.

Bikes without pedals, throttle-only dirt bikes and modified bikes capable of exceeding 20 mph are not considered e-bikes. Those vehicles may be treated as motorized vehicles and could require a license and registration.

Police asked parents to speak with their children about wearing helmets, riding safely and following the rules of the road.

“Our goal is to start the school year off safely and help keep our students and community safe,” the department said.

E-Bike Injuries Rising Across Massachusetts

The Marlborough enforcement effort comes amid broader safety concerns across Massachusetts. UMass Memorial Medical Center’s emergency department has been treating three to five e-bike trauma cases per week, compared with about one per week during the same period last year.

Doctors reported injuries including brain bleeds, traumatic head injuries, facial fractures and major orthopedic injuries. One to two cases per week have required surgery.

The same report found Milford police had responded to more than 80 e-bike-related incidents in 2026, including reckless operation complaints, disturbances and other safety concerns. Police and medical professionals have urged parents to treat e-bikes as motorized vehicles capable of significant speeds rather than as toys.

See Also:

• Marlborough School Introduces New Teachers And Staff For Next School Year
• Marlborough Police Introduce School Resource Officers For New School Year