Three crashes involving electric bicycles and turning vehicles this year have prompted Newton Police to emphasize traffic safety as use of e-bikes surges in the city.
“We’ve had three accidents this year specifically that involved e-bikes,” said Newton Police Lt. Amanda Henrickson. “And in all three of those crashes, it involved a turning vehicle that collided with an operator of an electronic bicycle.”
Nearly 40% of Bluebikes trips in Newton are taken on e-bikes, according to city data, as the electric-powered two-wheelers gain popularity among residents navigating the city’s hilly terrain.
The first crash happened March 10 when a driver making a left turn into Newton North High School on Elm Road struck a cyclist on an e-bike. The cyclist, riding on the left side of the road, sustained cuts to his arms and knees. Police cited the driver for failing to use a turn signal.
In May, there were two crashes at intersections on Dedham Street and Watertown Street. In the Dedham street incident, a driver pulling from a stop sign was cited for failure to yield after striking a cyclist on an e-bike. The cyclist suffered a chest injury and was transported to Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.
Newton Police say they cannot track e-bikes crashes separately in state reporting systems because forms do not distinguish between traditional and electric bicycles.
Safety
“When you ride a bicycle or an e-bike, you have to abide by all the rules of the road that a vehicle [does],” said Sgt. Jason Schlegel. “So, stop at stop signs, stop at red lights, yield to pedestrians.”
State law prohibits e-bikes on sidewalks and requires helmets for riders younger than 16, although police recommend them for all ages. E-bikes must have front and rear lights and riders should wear reflective clothing in low-light conditions, according to Newton Police.
“Helmets do save lives,” Schlegel said.
Henrickson said e-bike riders should be careful when they need to slow down or stop.
“It’s important that new operators, or maybe even people that are seasoned operators, understand that they’re going to need to use caution as they’re slowing when it’s coming up to an intersection or a stop sign,” she said.
Henrickson noted that slowing on an e-bike may not be as straightforward as it may seem due to the higher speeds involved.
Drivers also face challenges adapting to increased bicycle traffic. Eric Johnson, 35, a Newton driver, said navigating intersections with cyclists can be stressful.
“That intersection at Walnut and Beacon always makes me nervous,” Johnson said. “People dart out of nowhere on bikes, and it feels like there’s no room for anyone.”
State law requires drivers to give cyclists at least four feet of side clearance when passing and to check mirrors before turning right.
Police are working to educate the public about e-bike safety through social media, partnerships with Safe Routes to School, and community outreach.
“Part of keeping everyone safe is keeping them informed,” Schlegel said.
Henrickson urged parents who are buying e-bikes for children to purchase Class 1 or Class 2 models, which are limited to 20 mph and do not require a license, and to review traffic laws with young riders.
Residents seeking information about bicycle safety can contact the Newton Police Department’s Traffic Bureau, Bike Newton, or Newton Safe Routes to School.
Benefits of mobility and environmental protection
E-bikes are attracting a diverse range of users, from older adults seeking to maintain mobility to families replacing second cars to reduce their impact on the environment. Green Newton has been active promoting the use of e-bikes, online and in promotional events.
“Some people who wouldn’t normally bike because of physical restrictions or the like, if they can bike with the assistance of an e-bike, I think that’s great,” said Ed Olhava, president of Bike Newton. “It just gives people more options.”
Alicia Bowman, a former city councilor and cycling safety advocate, said e-bikes extend her cycling years.
“The e-bike allows me to keep up with my husband,” she said. “I can do half a hill, but I can’t do the whole hill. But with e-assist, I can get up the whole hill.”
She recalled an e-bike promotional event at the Newton Farmers Market where families reported selling both cars in favor of two e-bikes, while a couple in their 70s credited their e-bikes with transforming their lives during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“They were like, ‘we’re biking every day, it’s great, and we’re out enjoying the world,’” Bowman said.
City supports e-bikes with new infrastructure
Newton is expanding its Bluebikes network from 15 to 16 stations this spring with a new location at Pettee Square. For the first time, Newton is piloting winter operations to keep all stations open year-round, funded by state grants.
Newton has added more than 20 miles of bike lanes in recent years, including shared-use paths on Washington Street and Hammond Pond Parkway and improvements to the Commonwealth Avenue carriage lane.
Olhava said protected bike lanes separated from traffic by curb are the safest option, but he acknowledges they are expensive to install.
“For me, the gold standard, where it makes sense, is to have offset or separated bike lanes that are protected so you are not in potential conflict with vehicles,” he said.
Bowman said intersection design is critical. She noted that many Newton intersections were designed before power steering, with wide turning radii that allow vehicles to turn without slowing down.
She noted that e-bikes make more efficient use of limited road space. “We can’t make our roads any bigger,” she said. “I can be a bike next to you or a car in front of you.”
Olhava says expanding transportation options and traffic education benefits everyone.
“Creating more options gives people more flexibility with how they want to design their lifestyle and their means of getting around town,” he said.
Parker Maslowski is a junior majoring in journalism at Boston University. His work for Fig City News is through the BU Newsroom program, which pairs students with local news organizations.
