Thank you everyone for keeping up with this. There are a lot of disabled folks who still don’t even know this is happening. I’ve been trying to spread the word. Hopefully everyone I know who needs an e-bike and can’t currently afford one will be able to get one.

I know a couple of disabled people who have been waiting for this so they can but a bike. Neither has a car. 2 summers have passed already. What. The. Hell. ??

There’s no mention of a throttle on a class 3 e-bike. Typically class 3 e-bikes are one with a throttle that will assist up to 20mph and pedal assist up to 28mph. I’m also disappointed that the rules banning e-bikes from shared use paths don’t mention exemptions for the disabled. The Americans With Disabilities Act gives disabled people rights that supersede local ordinances. A line simply stating “except when the e-bike is being operated as a disability aid under federal law” would be a nice touch.

Oops…I mean Trek 4800.

I’m disabled. I have Pulmonary Sarcoidosis. Bill # 204 is abelist and I will be contacting again to ask them not to sign this bill. There is no reason to limit e-bike motors to 750 watts, especially if you’re already limiting the speed (I used to get up to 40mph on my Cannondale on a good day so that’s a crock too). What about heavy people? What about people whose only transportation is a bike and they need to use a trailer? Massachusetts doesn’t need more laws and regulations, I remember how terrible mandatory helmet laws were for childhood cycling (now very fat adults) when they were passed. My 750 watt Bafang motor came with a 250 watt sticker in case I wanted to go to Europe. Don’t even get me started on “unlawfully” modifying the bikes, hot rodding is an American tradition. Just like unregistered dirt bikes on public roads these new regulations will only effect law abiding citizens, keep the disabled AWAY from cycling and anyone who ignores the laws will get a slap on the wrist. This is NOT the time to put up huge barriers to modern cycling!