Rehoboth to Enforce Regulations on E-Bikes

Town officials are planning to enforce new rules on the use of e-bikes to keep residents safe.

On Monday, Rehoboth Board of Selectmen Chair Skip Vadnais outlined the details of a new policy established by Police Chief Louis DiBacco.Among them are the use of bicycle helmets for e-bike riders under the age of 16. Whenever an offender is caught without a helmet, notice will be sent to the child’s parent or legal guardian.

Arrests will only be made if the e-bike rider provides false identification or refuses to provide identification as required by law, or if they are “operating to endanger.”

In addition, cyclists are required to obey “all applicable traffic laws and regulations of the Commonwealth.”

“There is no right to criminal process with this violation,” Vadnais said, noting the police officer can impound the bicycle for up to 15 days if the operator is a juvenile.”

According to a May 12 story from CapeCodhealth.org: “As e-bikes become more popular, accidents are also on the rise. According to the American College of Surgeons, more than 20,000 people nationwide are injured on the trendy bikes annually, with more than 3,000 requiring hospitalization. The most common injuries include head trauma and broken limbs, but there have also been fatalities.”

“The most serious e-bike accident on Cape Cod occurred in September 2025, when a Brewster woman was hit from behind while walking on the Cape Cod Rail Trail in Harwich. The e-bike handlebar impaled her eye, causing her to lose sight in that eye.”

“We’re not trying to hurt anybody on bicycles,” said Selectman Lenny Mills. “We’re trying to prevent them from getting hurt. We hope we’re not going to have a tragedy in our town.”

“We need to educate (the teenagers) and give them an opportunity to comply,” Vadnais added.