Police, town address scooter and motorized bike concerns

The Winthrop Police Department is looking to inform residents about rules and regulations for scooters and other personal motorized vehicles.

The regulation of the vehicles has been a concern for residents, town officials, and police in recent years.

At the most recent town council meeting this month, one resident raised safety concerns about people riding motorized scooters and bikes and their potential to cause an accident.

“Has anybody addressed these motorized bikes that kids are flying around the town in in gangs of two and three, four and five of these bikes all at once?” Mark Sennott asked. “They are taking up both lanes of traffic down Walden and other streets, using the back alley behind Cafe Delite as the roundabout to race through the sitting area out there. Is public safety aware of it and is public safety doing anything about it?”

Precinct 5 Councilor Joseph Aiello noted that he also had concerns about the vehicles.

“I know everyone is seeing it,” said Aiello. “One thing that would be helpful … is I understand that there are statewide rules about the different classes of these motorized scooters, e-bikes, etc. – who belongs on sidewalks, who can’t go on sidewalks, who needs to have a license plate, whether helmet laws apply or don’t apply – any sort of laws or regulations that exist, I think we should figure out those first. Then let’s figure out how to enforce it as well as just public service messages.”

Aiello said the police department and town could also work with the school system to make sure kids understand the rules.

This week, the Winthrop Police Department released a graphic on social media detailing the governing state laws for e-bikes, mopeds, and motorized scooters.

“To ensure compliance with transportation laws, citizens, parents and guardians are reminded to familiarize themselves with governing regulations prior to purchasing transportation modes,” the department post stated. “Winthrop Police will continue to enforce these laws, which may include up to arrest and towing. With school resuming soon, we urge everyone to exercise caution and drive safely.”