As E-Bike Usage Surges On Nantucket, Police Chief Urges Caution

In the wake of the e-bike incident last week along the Old South Road bike path that sent one individual to Nantucket Cottage Hospital, the Current reached out to Nantucket Police Chief Jody Kasper for clarity on existing e-bike laws as well as the town’s efforts to address the safety issues associated with the increase in e-bike usage across the island.

Kasper told the Current that Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes may be ridden on the bike paths, however, a Class 3 e-bike may not be.

Class 1 e-bikes are limited to a top speed of 20 miles per hour and the bike’s electric motor only works while the rider is pedaling. The bikes generally have a throttle on the bike’s handlebar that the biker will press to give the bike an extra boost of power.

Class 2 e-bikes also have a limited top speed of 20 miles per hour, but the throttle will work whether the biker is or is not pedaling. Once the bike reaches 20 miles per hour, the throttle will not provide assistance.

A Class 3 e-bike is prohibited and can reach a top speed of 28 miles per hour. This type of e-bike must have a speedometer.

All e-bikes are prohibited from being ridden on sidewalks (a sidewalk is different from a formal bike path) and natural surface trails. 

When it comes to banning e-bikes from bike paths, it is not impossible. However, there is a process that needs to be followed locally. According to Massachusetts law, “e-bikes are allowed on bikeways and bike paths. However, a local jurisdiction may regulate and prohibit their use on bikeways/bike paths, but only after a public notice and public hearing.”

Ahead of the 2023 Annual Town Meeting, island resident Bruce Mandel submitted a citizen’s petition to ban electric bikes, scooters, and other motorized devices from Nantucket’s bike paths. The article was defeated by a voice vote after attendees criticized the concept of forcing e-bikers onto busy roads.

There are no set speed limits on Nantucket’s bike paths according to Kasper, however, she said the island’s bike paths are designed for a maximum speed of 20 miles per hour.

Kasper added that the police will continue to enforce existing regulations for e-bikes and helmets.

“There is both a state law and a local bylaw that require certain cyclists to wear helmets while riding a bicycle,” she said. “Our officers conduct bicycle safety workshops for kids and emphasize helmet use and operating safely. We have one coming up next week in ‘Sconset. We will continue a strong focus on education and addressing bicycle violations when staffing levels and call volume allow.”

Kasper also had several bike safety laws and safety tips she wished to share with the community.

Helmet: “One of the best methods of reducing injury in bicycle accidents is having a quality helmet that is properly fitted.”

Visibility: “Cyclists should make every effort to ensure that they are visible to others. This should involve a combination of bright/reflective clothing, and compliance with c.85 § 11B, 8, which requires a bicycle operator to have white light emitting from the front of the bicycle and a red light and reflector on the rear of the bicycle from one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise. Our local bylaw also requires visibility.”

Predictability: “Cyclists are expected to operate similarly to cars moving along a street. This means that cyclists should not weave between cars, fail to stop at stop signs, travel the wrong way down one-way streets, or dart unexpectedly across roadways.”

Awareness: “Use of an electronic device or listening to music while operating a bicycle is incredibly dangerous. It is important to remain alert and attentive to surroundings.”

Sidewalks: “No bicyclist may operate on a sidewalk in the central business district (downtown).”

Passing: “Vehicle drivers who are passing a cyclist must leave four feet of space between their car and the cyclist.”

The town introduced e-bike classification stickers this summer, which display the class, electric motor capacity, and maximum speed of the e-bike to ensure compliance with state laws.

“The Nantucket-themed e-bike stickers feature a locally inspired design that encourages community participation and adherence to safety regulations,” the town says on its website. “By using these stickers, e-bike riders can show their commitment to participating in safe cycling practices while enjoying a bit of local flair.”

Last summer, the island was hit with tragedy after a resident passed away following an e-bike accident in June. The police eventually determined the cause of the accident was the biker colliding with a mailbox.

Kasper said her department has continued to be on the lookout for any bicycle violations and that the town will evaluate ways to further encourage bike safety and enforcement of existing regulations on e-bikes.

“We are fortunate to have our seasonal Community Service Officers (CSOs) enhancing public safety services on the island over the very busy summer season,” she said. “They have been actively identifying and addressing bicycle violations. When time and staffing levels allow, our police officers do the same.”

There has also been considerable dialogue about e-bikes and their usage by the Nantucket Public Schools, which banned e-bikes from being used on school property for two weeks in 2022.

"This means that if students are caught riding their bikes anywhere on campus, the battery from their bicycle will be confiscated, and a parent will be required to pick up the battery from their child's school," Hallett wrote in a letter to the school community in 2022 regarding the e-bike ban.

When asked about the current status of e-bike enforcement on school grounds, Hallett told the Current over the weekend the school still does not allow children to ride e-bikes on the school campus, but they can walk them onto school property. 

“They can ride to campus but not on campus,” she said.