Cambridge Committee Examines Micromobility Safety, Awaits State Ride Safe Act

CAMBRIDGE — June 24, 2026 — Cambridge Transportation Committee hears micromobility safety briefing, awaits state Ride Safe Act. The Transportation and Public Utilities Committee met June 24 with Transportation Commissioner Brooke McKenna and a cross-departmental team to review the city's micromobility enforcement data and the pending Ride Safe Act filed by Governor Maura Healy. Traffic Lieutenant Phil McDavid reported that Cambridge issued 912 citations and warnings to micromobility device operators in 2025, of which 812 were written warnings, and noted that current law forces all bicycle, e-bike, e-scooter, and moped violations into a single $30 statutory citation with no ability to disaggregate by offense type. Assistant City Solicitor Evan Bjorklund walked the committee through the Ride Safe Act's proposed four-tier speed-based classification system — the first of its kind in the nation — which would ban mopeds from bike lanes, restrict devices capable of more than 20 mph from shared-use paths, and empower an RMV-chaired working group to issue further regulations. Councilor Tim Flaherty called for a culture shift backed by heightened enforcement, citing the roughly 1,000 students who bicycle to Cambridge Rindge and Latin daily, while Councilor Kathy Zussi urged that the safety of elderly pedestrians be central to any enforcement strategy. State Representative Owens told Councilor Patty Nolan the bill is now in the Senate and could pass before the session closes July 31, 2026.