Massachusetts Electric Bike Laws

No three-class law · State parks: Class 1 on paved paths

Massachusetts has no e-bike definition in statute, so an e-bike generally falls under the motorized bicycle category in M.G.L. c.90 s.1: riders must be 16 or older, hold a driver license or learner's permit, wear a helmet and stay under 25 mph. Governor Healey's Ride Safe Act (S.3077, May 2026) would sort devices into speed tiers; the House and Senate each passed tier rules in their July 2026 economic development bills, but no enacted law was found.

E-bike classes
Not adopted
E-bike license
Yes, or permit
Class 3 minimum age
-
E-bike helmet
Yes
State parks
Class 1 on paved paths
Moped registration
Yes

By vehicle

Rules for E-Bikes, Stand-Up E-Scooters and Mopeds in Massachusetts

Massachusetts rules by vehicle
VehicleDefinitionMinimum ageLicenseRegistrationInsuranceHelmetSidewalksTrails
E-bikeMotorized bicycle: helper motor, 25 mph limit16Yes, or permitYes (RMV sticker)NoYesNo state ruleNo off-street bike paths
Stand-up e-scooterMotorized scooter16Yes, or permitNoNoYesNoNo state rule
Seated e-scooter (moped)Motorized bicycle: under 50 cc, automatic, 30 mph design max16Yes, or permitYesNoYesNo state ruleNo off-street bike paths

Where to ride

Where Each Vehicle May Ride

  • E-bike. No statutory e-bike definition; DCR allows Class 1 on wide paved paths
  • Stand-up e-scooter. 20 mph limit; no riding after dark
  • Seated e-scooter (moped). Bike lanes allowed; no limited-access highways

Equipment

Equipment Rules for E-Bikes

RMV registration sticker on motorized bicycles; operator and passenger helmets meeting RMV standards; 25 mph maximum; motorized bicycles defined as automatic transmission and under 50 cc.

City rules

What Cities and Counties Can Change

Cities and towns may add local rules. Marlborough limits motorized bikes and scooters to 20 mph, and Fall River bars e-scooters from sidewalks and other public property.

Parks and trails

State Parks, Federal Lands and Rail Trails in Massachusetts

Department of Conservation and Recreation rules (302 CMR 11 and 12, 2022) allow Class 1 e-bikes on improved paths 8 feet or wider, all classes on DCR roads and bike lanes, and no e-bikes on natural-surface trails. State law separately bars motorized bicycles from off-street recreational bike paths.

Record

Sources

E-bike
M.G.L. c.90 s.1, 1B
Stand-up e-scooter
M.G.L. c.90 s.1, 1E
Seated e-scooter (moped)
M.G.L. c.90 s.1, 1B
Status
Partly verified
Open items
Whether a pedal-assist e-bike must be RMV-registered as a motorized bicycle is applied unevenly and not confirmed from an RMV page; final status of the 2026 micromobility provisions in the economic development bill not confirmed
Last verified
Q4 2026