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Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Westfield Police Department explains e-bike regulations
WESTFIELD — Because on nearly every trip around the city it's hard not to notice the electric bikes, called e-bikes, whizzing around at speeds that often seem to be over the posted speed limit, creating hazards for motorist and pedestrians, the Police Department wants residents to know some of the regulations regarding the bikes. 'Number one is speed,' said Police Sgt. Juanita Mejias, the department's director of the Traffic Bureau about most of the complaints the department hears about the bikes. The state has issued regulations that define the two classes of bikes, and they are nearly identical, Mejias said. A Class I e-bike has an electric-powered motor that is only engaged with pedaling. A Class II e-bike, which can be pedaled, usually includes a throttle to control the engine's power. And both must also have fully functional pedals. While incrementally different, there is one regulation involving both — neither should be able to travel more than 20 mph, Mejias said. But there are other classes of bikes that can easily reach speeds of more than 20 mph, which trigger state regulations that must be followed by operators. And it's those e-bikes the department hears the most complaints about, she said. While the major complaint is the speed of the bikes, Mejias said complaints are also made about the bikes being operated on sidewalks. Class I and Class II e-bikes are allowed on any city sidewalk, but not in the business district that extends from North Elm Street south, through downtown on Elm Street and on Main Street to the Columbia Greenway Rail Trail bridge. However, e-bikes that exceed 20 mph are not allowed on any city sidewalk, Mejias said. 'Those bikes must be operated on the road just like any other vehicle,' she said. They must also be registered like a vehicle, the operator must have a driver's license, and when riding wear a DOT-approved helmet, she said. She said it was easy to identify one of the e-bikes that don't fit into the first two classes, they often don't have pedals. Another issue with e-bikes, even those that would fit into the two classes is that the speed limiter can be overridden, which is against state law. She warned parents who might purchase an e-bike for a child to monitor the bike to make sure it's not modified. And to remember to follow state law about the age of the operator, she said. No one under 18 is allowed to operate an e-bike. There is always the worry of a vehicle colliding with a bike of any type, but Mejias wanted residents to know it is only occasionally that a vehicle strikes a bike or e-bike. 'It's the other way around. It's usually the biker that runs into a vehicle,' she said. She gave an example of an intersection where that might occur. Where Maple Street intersects with Franklin Street, a motorist can only take a right turn, so they are usually looking left for oncoming traffic. If a bike is on the Franklin Street sidewalk traveling toward Elm Street there is not only a blind spot on a motorist's right, but most drivers don't also look in that direction before pulling out. 'It's that kind of situation when a bike will strike a vehicle,' she said. If an officer on patrol does catch up with anyone on a bicycle or e-bike operating unsafely, like popping wheelies in the middle of traffic, the officer can order it be confiscated for 14 days. Capt. Eric Hall said one person in the city has had his e-bike confiscated several times, only to get it back and continue with its unsafe operation. Hall said the state has been trying to update legislation to better regulate e-bikes, but it hasn't yet caught up with the technology because of the different types of two-wheel transportation, like scooters (which can have electric power), mopeds, and motorcycles. He suggested new legislation be written to recognize those changes. For those who spot an e-bike being operated unsafely, Hall and Mejias said call the police first. 'Don't engage with them,' they said. For more information on E-Bikes and where you can ride them, check out MassBike a Read the original article on MassLive.
CBS News
21-04-2025
- CBS News
Motorcycle rider dead from hit-and-run-crash in Redford Township
A vehicle-motorcycle crash in Redford Township, Michigan, has resulted in the death of the motorcycle rider. The accident happened Sunday in the area of Plymouth Road and Beech Daly Road, the Redford Township Police Department reported. On arrival, police found a motorcycle on fire with a person on the ground nearby. Officers dragged the injured person away from the fire, called for medical assistance and started providing aid. The individual was taken to Corewell Health Farmington Hills Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. His next of kin has been notified. Police said the preliminary investigation showed the motorcycle rider was northbound on Beech Daly Road at the Plymouth Road intersection, when a white Cadillac tried to make a left turn from southbound Beech Daly onto eastbound Plymouth. After the collision, the driver of the Cadillac drove off. The vehicle believed to be involved in the crash was recovered several hours later in the city of Detroit. Redford Township Police have identified a possible driver of that vehicle. The investigation is continuing. Police ask that anyone with information on the crash contact Traffic Bureau Sergeant Ditzhazy at 313-387-2541 or jditzhazy@
