Electric dirt bikes are trending among teenagers and young adults on the Island. They are frequently spotted zipping along roadway shoulders, down bike paths, and even along ancient forest pathways — sometimes with riders pulling off wheelies and other tricks.
But while their ease of access, relatively low price, and operational simplicity might make them an ideal purchase, law enforcement has one glaring issue — if the bike doesn’t meet one of two Massachusetts e-bike classification, which many do not, then there is nowhere legal to ride on the Island.
“They can only be used on private property with permission, or designated off-highway vehicle trails, which don’t exist on Martha’s Vineyard,” said Environmental Police Sgt. Matthew Simmons regarding electric bikes that don’t meet either Massachusetts classification.
Simmons was speaking during a meeting earlier this spring convened by West Tisbury Police Chief Matt Mincone.
As families continue to buy these electric dirt bikes for their kids, they are raising concerns about safety for local police departments. In April, Mincone assembled Island police officers, members of the Martha’s Vineyard Commission (MVC) bicycle pedestrian advisory committee, and Environmental Police. He and other police chiefs are looking to bring awareness to the issue, and to find the best ways to enforce compliance.
“The goal of this meeting is just to get the word out to parents: ‘Don’t buy these for your kids, because there is nowhere to ride them,’” Mincone said, “and we can relay what we talk about here to our departments and other officers.”
One of the more common e-bikes that have caught the attention of local law enforcement are Surrons, which are popular among students and teenagers. Surron is a Chinese company that produces a line of electric vehicles. They look like your classic dirt bike, although maybe a little smaller — big treads on the tires, handlebars similar to a bicycle’s, with awkward side mirrors and a relatively compact engine. The bikes range in speed from 30 up to 70 miles per hour. The so-called Storm Bee model can reach a speed of 68 miles an hour, and has a peak power of 22,500W.
Mincone reported that as of April, West Tisbury had seven electric dirt bike complaints and Edgartown had four, but the West Tisbury chief said it’s possible they aren’t being reported as often because many people are not aware of where the bikes are legal and where they are not.
During a recent incident in West Tisbury, three middle school students were caught riding Surrons at high speeds on a private path behind Old Holmes Road, captured by a homeowner’s trail camera as they headed to West Tisbury School. According to Chief Mincone, police contacted the parents, and the family was unaware that such vehicles are prohibited on and around the State Forest trails.
“The parents knew the kids were riding to school, but didn’t realize they [aren’t allowed],” said Mincone.
Surrons, police say, do not fall into the state’s two electric bike classifications.
The only two classifications in Massachusetts are Class 1 and Class 2. Class 1 is an electric bicycle equipped with a motor of less than 750 watts, that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling. The motor stops providing assistance when the bike reaches 20 miles per hour. A Class 2 has a motor, also less than 750 watts, which is capable of exclusively propelling the bike up to 20 miles per hour, and is equipped with a throttle and pedals.
According to Massachusetts law, any e-bikes that exceed 750 watts, do not have pedals, or are powered beyond 20 miles per hour, are technically unclassified. Some states have designated “out-of-class” classifications for when an e-bike doesn’t meet Class 1 or 2, but since Massachusetts has none, according to Simmons, the bike will either remain unclassified or potentially be determined to fit in a motorcycle or moped class.
The only time an e-bike outside the Class 1 or 2 definitions can legally operate on the roadway is if it is properly registered with the Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV), insured, and equipped with brake lights, turn signals, side mirrors, a muffler, and lights, according to Massachusetts law.
Sgt. Simmons noted that most e-bike operators are minors and juveniles, and most don’t have a license; when they are stopped, they are identified, then their parent or guardian is notified and comes to take the child and bike. Depending on the severity of the situation and past experience, “We try to educate them; you can cite the parent or guardian through verbal warning or ticket,” Simmons said. “Then we look at things –– like if it’s unregistered, [are they] trespassing, do they have a helmet, and do they meet the age requirement, if they are less than 18.” Fines for offenses can range from $250 to $500, Simmons added.
Lt. Snowden of the Edgartown Police Department said he has noticed an uptick in e-bike riders on the streets.
“The main issue we have with e-bikes or Surrons is if they are operating in a negligent manner and putting pedestrians in danger; that’s one typical scenario where we will enforce the bicycle laws,” he said. “We identify them, contact parents, and focus on education.”
Snowden said that confiscation of a vehicle is rare unless linked to a crime.
These things go 50+ mph. 12 year olds shouldn’t be riding these. They do. Without helmets. All over the island.
I see grown adults riding around on those electric scooters, doing 30 or so, no helmets, no elbow or knee pads, sometimes not even sunglasses as cheap eye protection.
Somewhere, Charles Darwin is kicking back in a chaise lounge, smacking away at the biggest, stinkiest dang Cuban cigar you ever saw, waiting excitedly to watch what’s inevitable.
I am encouraged that the island police departments are putting this issue out there BEFORE some tragic accident happens. Unfortunately, it seems that things only change after some tragic death (s) happen. I can’t quite understand how any parent who loves their teenager can allow them to ride on these things. I will address the parents directly– what is the benefit/ risk assessment ? Yeah. maybe your beloved child will only wind up with broken legs or arms– death and permanent disability are rare after all – but really ? Are you willing to take that chance? And how will you feel if your 16 year old child dies? And just on a personal level, I had a 16 year old nephew that died on an ATV while not even wearing a helmet– I can tell you,something like that is a devastating event filled with guilt and remorse that can never be fully reconciled.
Sorry kids riding your bikes with friends is a crime now, go back inside and play video games and don’t come out until you’re a grown man who likes to wear spandex, then it is legal to ride in the middle of the road and slow down traffic to a crawl. Or just get a moped those have always been legal somehow.
John….I read your remarks suggesting/ lamenting that “kids riding bikes with friends is now a crime” and mocking adult cyclists for “wearing spandex” and “slowing down traffic.” While I understand the impulse to defend kids’ freedom and joy, your note misses the real issue—and worse, cheapens an important public conversation with sarcasm and false equivalence.
Let’s be clear: no one is trying to criminalize childhood or bikes. The concern is about electric motorbikes—some capable of speeds up to 70 mph—being ridden recklessly by unlicensed, often helmetless kids on sidewalks, in traffic, or through pedestrian areas. That’s not harmless fun. That’s a public safety risk—for them and for others.
And as for the jab at adult cyclists: many of us ride responsibly, share the road respectfully, and contribute to our community’s health, sustainability, and traffic reduction. We’re not the problem. Reckless behavior, regardless of the vehicle or the rider’s age, is.
We should be having a conversation about how to keep all road users—kids, drivers, cyclists, pedestrians—safe. Mockery won’t get us there. Accountability, clarity, and mutual respect will.
Kenneth, agreed.
Could we stop talking about generic “kids”? When I’ve been almost run down by dirt bikes, the riders have virtually always been boys. That includes the last 15 years as a regular walker on island trails; for the 10 years before that I was usually on horseback. That was really fun: getting a panicky horse off the trail before we got run down. True, it’s possible that one or two of these riders, especially one of the handful wearing helmets, was female, but basically — we’re talking about boys.
I remember, back in high school, the most egregiously aggressive drivers that got into the most outrageous crashes, were female. It was as though they had something to prove. These things come in cycles, almost like fads.
What should be banned are the parents letting their kids ride these types of things without protection. I’ve seen two 10 year olds on one electric scooter going 20mph+ on the bike paths littered with rocks, sticks, etc.
Parents, maybe use your brain sometimes.
Kids are the police out of touch? Most illegal motorized vehicles being driven on sidewalks and streets are adults who don’t have drivers licenses because they lost them or some reason can’t obtain one because they don’t have the legal right to process a Massachusetts driver’s license. Take the illegal vehicles off the roads and sidewalks what are we paying taxes and RMV fees for.
E- bikes don’t EVER have mufflers. A muffler is for an internal combustion engine. E bikes are pretty quiet. Get a clue people.
No muffler? That makes them even more dangerous. Stealth bombers!
Don’t worry about the tick borne disease crisis were fighting. Let’s get after those e-bikes…
Many E dirt bikes are legal.
More and more will be.
This is about specific ebikes….not all of them.
Let them kids play or build a path/off-road trail for them jeeesus Christ it’s not that hard
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