‘Technology moved faster than legislation’: Berkshire police seek clarity on e-bikes

DALTON — Dalton Police Chief Deanna Strout says she’s all for letting kids be kids, but when it comes to e-bikes, safety has to come first.

With reports of reckless riding and close calls increasing around town, Strout said the department is stepping up enforcement and reminding riders of the rules of the road.

“The speeds and the way they’re operating are unsafe, and we’re trying to avoid some type of a tragedy from happening because that’s our biggest fear,” Strout said in an interview with The Eagle on Monday. “It’s about preventing injuries, not discouraging riding.”

E-bikes have become increasingly common on Berkshire County roads, sidewalks and trails, bringing new transportation options but also new safety concerns. Police departments say they are fielding more complaints about dangerous riding and struggling to enforce laws that many officials believe have not kept pace with the technology, prompting a push for new statewide regulations that are working their way through the legislative process.

An e-bike rides in the bike lane on North Street in Pittsfield. An electric bicycle — more commonly referred to as an e-bike — is a bicycle equipped with an electric motor that can help assist with or replace pedaling. It’s a form of transportation that is gaining in popularity across busy roadways in the Berkshires, and one that has public safety officials concerned for the safety of not only…

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