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3/14/2024
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House OKs Carson bill allowing Newport to regulate electric bikes and scooters
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STATE HOUSE – The House of Representatives today approved legislation sponsored by Rep. Lauren H. Carson enabling the city of Newport to regulate electric bicycle and scooter usage.
“The use of e-bikes and scooters has exploded in Newport, and we need some guardrails for everybody’s safety,” said Representative Carson (D-Dist. 75, Newport). “Without any regulation, there’s nothing that ensures that anyone rides safely, or even tells people where they should or shouldn’t be riding. For the safety of riders and pedestrians, as well as drivers of vehicles who are sharing our narrow, historic roads with them, we need to set some parameters on the use of e-bikes and scooters in Newport.”
The legislation (2024-H 7321) applies only to Newport, and enables the city council to regulate the use and operation of e-bikes and e-scooters within the city. Any ordinances may include, but shall not be limited to, the operator’s age, licensing, registration and insurance, as long as they don’t contradict any existing general law. The bill also allows the city council to enact ordinances limiting where e-bikes and e-scooters may be operated in the city.
In October, a Middletown woman was killed in a collision with a truck while she was riding an e-bike on Admiral Kalbfus Road in Newport. The truck driver was cited for a traffic violation.
The legislation now goes to the Senate, where Sen. Dawn Euer (D-Dist. 13, Newport, Jamestown) has introduced companion legislation (2024-S 2272).
For more information, contact:
Meredyth R. Whitty, Publicist
State House Room 20
Providence, RI 02903
(401) 222-1923
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