Mayor Menino Wants to Crackdown on Illegal Motorized Scooters

Boston Mayor Thomas Menino wants to crackdown on illegal motorized bikes in the city, and says a new homerule petition will allow for better enforcement of the vehicles. 

The Mayor's hope is the home rule petition will extend the law and ban the illegal vehicles within the city limits. Similar laws are in place in New York, Philadelphia and the District of Columbia, said Boston officials.

This is not the first time that Menino has tried to curb the motorbikes that can be heard throughout many neighborhoods buzzing through the streets illegally during summer time.

The Boston Police Department and the city’s Transportation Department have begun “Operation Kickstand” a Menino missive to tow all illegal motorized bicycles, specifically:    

1. Missing a registration decal or not properly registered;
2. Being operated on parkland, off-street recreational paths or any other prohibited paths;
3. Being operated in an illegal fashion (e.g., reckless driving, driving under the influence).

City officials said illegal motorbikes did not appear to be used in the recent shooting at Harambee Playground in Dorchester; but "information gathered does highlight the need for a stronger city policy on the use and operation of motorized bicycles within city limits."  

“I will continue to fight for the protection and quality of life of our residents,” said Menino via press release. “These types of loud, dangerous vehicles are allowing individuals to intimidate our residents and cause disruption in our neighborhoods – and it must stop.”

According to the RMV, any pedal bicycle which has a helper motor or a non-pedal bicycle with a motor that does not exceed 50 cubic centimeters of cylinder capacity, has an automatic transmission and cannot go faster than 30 miles an hour meets the legal definition of a motorized bicycle.

The existing laws (specifically M.G.L. c. 90 §1B-E) regulate motorized bicycles mandate that the vehicle/its operator must:

• Have a registration sticker affixed to it;
• Be registered with the MA RMV (motorized bicycles are classified as “motor vehicles”);
• Carry a valid driver’s license/learner’s permit;
• Wear a safety helmet;
• Drive at speeds 25 mph or lower;
• Avoid driving on (a) roadways where bicycles are prohibited or (b) off-street recreational paths;