By Rowan H. Karaca
A string of recent accidents involving young riders on electric bikes and scooters across MetroWest has prompted area police departments to issue urgent safety warnings — and Wayland is no exception.
On June 10, an eight-year-old was struck by a motor vehicle while riding an electric scooter at the intersection of West Plain and Main streets. The child was riding a compliant device — one speed-limited to under 20 mph — and was wearing a helmet at the time of the collision. According to police, the helmet helped reduce the severity of the injuries, and the child was treated on scene by the Wayland Fire Department and released from the hospital by the end of the day.
“There was still an electric scooter in the middle of the street that was pretty beat up,” said Detective Sgt. Tyler Castagno, who responded to the scene after the initial incident.
The Wayland incident was not isolated. Just two days later, on June 12, a man riding an electric bike was seriously injured after a collision with a car in Framingham. And on June 23, a 15-year-old boy from Franklin died after being struck by a car while riding his bike on King Street near the I-495 off-ramp. First responders performed life-saving measures at the scene, but the teen was later pronounced dead at UMass Memorial Medical Center.
While Wayland police describe the West Plain Street incident as isolated, they say they are not surprised it happened.
“It’s the type of incident that happens when you put motorized scooters, motorized bikes, bicyclists, and traffic together,” Castagno said. “We’re hoping it stays isolated, but I’m not surprised that it happened.”
Acting Police Chief Mark Hebert echoed those concerns, pointing to a pattern of unsafe behavior he has been observing across town.
“We’ve been seeing operation of these motorized scooters and bikes on sidewalks giving walkers anxiety,” Hebert said. “They go into the road and weave into traffic.”
For Brad, a Wayland resident and father who asked that his last name not be used, the concern is straightforward. Though he was unaware of the West Plain Street incident, he said the idea of young children having unrestricted access to electric scooters and e-bikes gives him pause.
“I’m concerned for that age — you don’t want to have them have that freedom,” he said.
“I’d just have them ride in the neighborhood,” he said, adding that protective gear is non-negotiable. “Helmets, knee pads — all of that.”
One of the central challenges facing police across the region is the lack of clear legal guidance on electric scooters and e-bikes. Under current Massachusetts law, there are three classes of e-bikes — Class 1 and 2 can travel up to 20 mph, while Class 3 can reach up to 28 mph. Anything exceeding 28 mph is considered a motor vehicle, requiring a driver’s license, proper training, and a helmet at all times.
“These came to light faster than legislation could catch up,” Castagno said. “Over the next six to maybe 12 months, you’ll see more things that we can enforce and more of a clear picture.”
Adding to the concern is the growing popularity of electric dirt bikes, which are marketed similarly to standard e-bikes but can reach speeds far exceeding legal limits — sometimes topping 40 mph. Castagno said riders on such devices need more than a bicycle helmet. “They need DOT-rated motorcycle helmets,” he said.
When it comes to where young riders face the greatest risk in Wayland, police point to Route 20 and Route 30 as the most dangerous corridors due to their traffic volume and speed. Both roads have sidewalks, but riders on electric scooters and e-bikes are legally prohibited from using them, creating a difficult balancing act for the town.
“I don’t want them riding with high-speed traffic either,” Castagno said. “The state and the community have to juggle how to let kids travel safely on those busy roads.”
In the wake of the incident, the Wayland Police Department has already distributed safety messaging to parents and students through school newsletters. Looking ahead, the department’s school resource officer is expected to deliver in-person presentations at the elementary and middle school levels — though no firm timeline has been set.
In an email to the Wayland Post following the accident in town, WPD promised more education and officer coverage.
“At the direction of Acting Chief [Mark] Hebert, the Wayland Police Department has taken proactive steps to address traffic safety concerns. The department will increase officer presence during high-traffic periods to promote safe driving and cycling practices. Additionally, the department has applied for grant funding to support a comprehensive road safety initiative, which includes community meetings, partnerships with Wayland Public Schools, and enhanced traffic enforcement — encompassing bicycles and motorized bicycles — along with public education efforts.”
The subject was even discussed at Happy Hollow Elementary’s final school assembly.
For Wayland police, the message to parents remains clear. “Wear your helmet, ride in appropriate places, and be aware of your surroundings,” Castagno said. “We don’t want to be out there pulling kids over and citing them. We just want them safe.”
