An Act relative to transportation safety

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Nick Collins

The bill strengthens enforcement and safety rules for motorized bikes and similar devices, requires insurance for commercial use, and adds public input and updated regulations for

Summary: Senate Bill SD 2526 / Senate No. 2347 — An Act relative to transportation safety

Overview
- Purpose: To strengthen enforcement and safety rules for motorized bicycles, motorized scooters, electric bicycles, and mopeds; update rules of the road; and address biking-infrastructure processes and commercial use insurance.
- Sponsor: Nick Collins (Senate sponsor). The bill is titled “An Act relative to transportation safety” and was filed with Senate Docket No. 2526 (Senate No. 2347). The petition for the bill identifies Nick Collins as the sponsor.

Key Provisions

1) Fines for violations of motorized-vehicle regulations
- Sets a progressive fine structure for violations under Massachusetts General Law Chapter 90 governing operation of motorized bicycles, motorized scooters, electric bicycles, or mopeds:
- First offense: $250
- Second offense: $500
- Third offense: $1,000
- Applies notwithstanding any existing General Laws to the contrary.

2) Bike lane planning, approval, and public involvement
- Any bike lane infrastructure planned or constructed by a state agency, quasi-public agency, or political subdivision must have a public hearing held by the responsible agency before issuing a contract for planning or construction.
- No bike lane approved or constructed using Chapter 90 funds may proceed without the approval of the Commissioner of MassAbility (Massachusetts disability services) or a local disabilities commission.

3) Task force and regulatory updates
- The Executive Office of Transportation (EOT) and the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS) are to establish a task force.
- Purpose: to collaborate on updated regulations to improve enforcement of existing laws governing motorized bicycles, motorized scooters, electric bicycles, and mopeds, and to establish updated Rules of the Road for these modes of transportation.

4) Insurance requirement for commercial activity
- All motorized bicycles, motorized scooters, electric bicycles, and mopeds used for commercial activity shall be required to have insurance.

Affected parties and impacts

Operators and users of motorized bicycles, motorized scooters, electric bicycles, and mopeds, particularly those engaged in commercial activity.

Municipalities, state agencies, and quasi-public agencies involved in bike lane planning and funding (including use of Chapter 90 funds).

Disability advocates and local disabilities commissions, and the MassAbility commissioner, who would approve bike-lane projects.

Public safety and transportation agencies responsible for enforcement and regulatory updates.

Procedural and timeline notes

The bill contemplates the creation of a task force and new enforcement/regulatory processes, with a requirement for public hearings prior to bike-lane contracts.

It uses “Notwithstanding” language to preempt conflicting provisions in current law.

There is no explicit effective date stated in the text provided; the status shown here is a proposed bill. The bill was filed in January 2025 (S. 2526 / S. 2347) with sponsor Nick Collins; status updates (e.g., committee referrals, passage) are not included in the excerpt.