Cambridge Finds Legal Authority to Regulate E-Bikes Unclear Across Key Path Categories

CAMBRIDGE — June 25, 2024 — Cambridge's Transportation and Public Utilities Committee heard two hours of legal and policy analysis on micromobility regulation Tuesday but took no formal action, concluding the city's authority to restrict e-bikes and scooters is legally uncertain in several key areas. Transportation Commissioner Brooke McKenna and Assistant City Solicitor Evan Bjorklund told the five-member committee that a 2004 motorized scooter law and a 2022 electric bicycle law use conflicting definitions of bicycle lanes, creating contradictions that could expose any city rules to preemption challenges from the state. Bjorklund said e-skateboards and similar devices lack any definition in state law, making municipal action on them especially difficult to defend. Committee Chair Councilor Pickett framed the session as fact-finding, saying, "We need to be clear that if we are going to do anything, that we could do anything legally." Twenty residents had signed up to comment, though a Zoom failure prevented most from connecting; those who did reach the committee urged infrastructure investment over new device restrictions.