Voices of Franklin: Open Letter to the Parents of E-biking Children in Franklin

Dear Parents of an E-biking kid,

I write this short letter today out of concern for the safety of your children. During the past few days, I have observed groups of kids riding their E-bikes together on the sidewalks of Chestnut Street. I have noticed they are moving at a relative high rate of speed, and going both with and against the direction of car traffic. 

My main concern is this: the leaders of the group seem to be older kids who are more skilled and comfortable on the bike, while the followers seem to be less experienced and less confident, but still moving fast trying to keep up! These less experienced followers are moving faster than they probably should be, and I doubt they are able to pay attention to turning cars and the bikes around them.

I have also seen a group of kid e-bikers moving pedestrians off the sidewalk to let them pass; not the way it should be, and more opportunities for accidents.

When we lived in New Jersey, I belonged to an organization called the David D. Hammar Foundation, which organized annual bike rides to raise attention and funding around bike safety for kids and adults. David Hammar was killed by a motor vehicle while riding his bike during early morning hours in September 2006. His death is a solemn reminder of how serious the consequences of sharing a road with bikes and cars can be.

Parents, please pay attention to your kids cycling skills, abilities, and learn who they are cycling with. Talk to them about good, safe and fun biking practices. And of course, make sure they are riding with helmets on! Let's keep the summer fun and free from tragedy!

Mark Minnichelli

Franklin

If you have something to say, you can find the guidelines here
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/03/introducing-voices-of-franklin.html

Boston Globe: "What ER doctors want parents to know about e-bikes and e-scooters"

"Last year, my 15-year-old lobbied for an e-scooter. It would get him to school faster, give him a taste of independence, and, of course, his friends had them. He didn’t yet have a driver’s license, and he was still mastering the art of carrying his laundry downstairs. But we said yes, with the usual conditions: Wear a helmet. Follow the rules of the road.

In the ensuing months, micromobility devices — e-bikes, e-scooters, and similarly lightweight vehicles that operate at roughly 20 miles per hour, though some can exceed those speeds — made troubling news.

In August 2025, a pedestrian was struck by an electric bike near Copley Square, later dying from those injuries. In late 2025, a Stoneham child died in an electric dirt bike crash. Kids who aren’t mature enough to control high-speed vehicles, plus drivers unaccustomed to navigating around these devices on the road — it’s a dangerous combination.

As crashes mounted, lawmakers took notice. This spring, Governor Maura Healey proposed the Ride Safe Act, regulating where and how different micromobility devices can operate. Earlier this month, House Democrats introduced similar legislation, acknowledging that while e-bikes and e-scooters offer speed and convenience, they also pose growing safety risks."

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Franklin Police Dept shares E-Bike Operation Rules and Law

The Town of Franklin E-Bike Users are required to follow general bicycle and e-bike laws enacted by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Under G.L. c. 85, § 11B3/4, Class 1 and 2 e-bikes are treated the same as pedal-powered bicycles. Massachusetts Laws about Bicycles.

You’re riding a MOTORIZED BIKE! 

You must have a driver’s license, registration, and a moped license plate.

Any e-bike exceeding the power or speed thresholds of Class 1 or 2 or has been modified is considered a “motorized bicycle” under M.G.L. c. 90, § 1. Violators will be towed and face criminal charges. 

E-Bike operation is prohibited on:

• On sidewalks, unless expressly permitted by local ordinance
• NRC Trails
• Playing Fields
• Dirt Paths
• School Fields

E-Bike operation allowed on:

• Public Roads
• Bike Lanes
• Shared Paved Paths

Traffic Laws: Riders must follow traffic laws as motor vehicles & traditional bicycles, including obeying traffic signals, yielding to pedestrians, and riding safely and predictably.

Scooters Laws and Regulations: Users are required to follow general scooter laws enacted by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Under G.L. c. 90, § 1E

• Riders must be at least 16 years old and hold a valid driver’s license or learner’s permit. 
• Helmets are required.  
• Maximum speed is 20 mph.  
• No passengers allowed.  
• Riding not permitted after sunset or before sunrise.  
• Not allowed to be operated on sidewalks.

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