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PSA-20260604

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THE ORIGINAL

PENNYSAVER

THIS WEEKEND!! 8th ANNUAL

Sat. June 6th 12:00 to 5:00

BLANDFORD | CHESTER | EAST OTIS | GRANVILLE | HUNTINGTON | MONTGOMERY RUSSELL/WORONOCO | SOUTHWICK | TOLLAND | WESTFIELD

JUNE 4, 2026 | FREE

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Council approves first reading for electric bike regs IN THIS By Amy Porter

aporter@thereminder.com

WESTFIELD

Skate Park contract awarded, construction begins July 1 Construction on the longawaited rebuild of the Westfield Skate Park is set to commence in early July.

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SOUTHWICK

Board approves Crepes Tea House permit modification POSTAL CUSTOMER

The ValleyBike station number 3 is at Westfield State University on Western Avenue, in front of the campus police.

The Planning Board approved two special permit modifications.

Reminder Publishing photo by Amy Porter

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PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID SPRINGFIELD, MA PERMIT NO. 142

going to be a 15 mile-per-hour speed limit for any bike motorized or non-motorized. It wasn’t meant for a race track; it’s meant for people to recreate, walk. It’s a recreational path; it’s not a racetrack, so a 15 mile-an-hour speed limit will be set there, except for city vehicles being exempt.” Councilor James Adams thanked Onyski for his work on the ordinance. “You need a law degree to figure this out. I mean, this is a nightmare not only for the citizens, it’s a nightmare for the Police Department. I was on L&O when we first started this, so I think a lot of the issues we’re having in town are with children and the parents buying these vehicles for their children that don’t realize what they’re doing with them. I’ve seen several accidents already with these things, and I think that the most important

ECRWSS

Electric skateboards also can’t be used on streets, can’t be used on sidewalks, can’t be used on business sidewalks, and can’t be used on the rail trail. When asked about the prohibition of electric or motorized scooters and skateboards on streets, sidewalks and on the rail trail, Parrish confirmed that both may only be used on private property, because they do not fall under Chapter 90 regulations. The non-criminal fines in the ordinance are $50 for the first offense, $100 for the second offense and $300 for the third and each subsequent offense. Parrish said according to state law, bicycles may be seized for up to 15 days if driven negligently, after which they will go back to the rightful owner. During the discussion at the City Council meeting before the first vote on the ordinance, Onyski said, “Now on the rail trail, there’s

POSTAL CUSTOMER

181 ROOT ROAD WESTFIELD, MA 01085 413 - 562 - 7221

EDITION

PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID SPRINGFIELD, MA PERMIT NO. 142

WESTFIELD — Legislative and Ordinance Committee Chair William Onyski brought a new ordinance to regulate electric bikes to the City Council on May 20. The ordinance passed the first reading after a vigorous discussion, with a second vote to be scheduled for the City Council meeting on June 19 after several suggested amendments are made. Onyski said the ordinance was developed in conjunction with Lt. John Parrish, chair of the Traffic Commission, and City Solicitor Shanna Reed. “The need for this I think we could all understand,” he said, adding that whenever he mentions to people that he is working on it, they tell him about close calls they have had with motorized bikes, which he said are an issue on the bike path as well. He said a lot of other towns in the state are adopting their own ordinances. The ordinance lists definitions for several categories of electric bikes, scooters, mopeds and skateboards. Class 1 are electric bicycles or tricycles with fully operational pedals and an electric motor of 750 watts or less, which provides power only when the rider is pedaling, but no power assistance above 20 mph. Class 2 electric bicycles provide power with or without pedaling, but no power assistance above 20 mph. Electric scooters are defined as scooters with handlebars, designed to be stood or sat upon by the operator, powered by an electric or gas-powered motor capable of propelling the device with or without human propulsion. Electric or motorized skateboards are devices with a deck, two or more wheels and an electric or gas motor designed for a person to stand or sit on while riding, as opposed to a regular skateboard propelled solely by human power.

Mopeds, which are Class 3 bikes, have a cylinder capacity of no more than 50 cubic centimeters; an automatic transmission and a maximum speed of no more than 30 miles per hour. Onyski said what is being proposed in the ordinance will allow a regular pedal bike on streets and on sidewalks, but not on sidewalks in business districts, including the Core district, Broad Street, Court Street, mixed residential and business districts or commercial office districts. “The reason for no bikes there is because there are businesses, doors are opening and people could speed by on bikes, and it causes a danger where we have a lot of pedestrian traffic.” A Class 1 bike, with a pedal assist, can be ridden on streets but not on any sidewalks in residential or business districts, Onyski said. It can be used on the bike path or rail trails, or on multi-use trails. Class 2 electric bikes can be ridden on streets, but not on any sidewalks in residential or business districts. They can be used on the bike trail, but you have to be pedaling. “You can’t just use the throttle alone like you would a mini bike,” he said. A moped can be used in the streets if it has a compliance decal from the state. It can’t be used on sidewalks or business sidewalks, and not on the rail trail. A regular human-powered scooter can’t be used on streets, but can be used on sidewalks except in the business district, and can be used on the rail trail. Human-powered skateboards also can’t be used on streets, but can be used on sidewalks except in the business district, and can be used on the rail trail. An electric or motorized scooter can be used on streets only if it’s got a compliance sticker from the state, but cannot be used on sidewalks, business sidewalks, and they cannot be used on the rail trail.

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See BIKES on page 2

126 INDUSTRIAL DRIVE EAST LONGMEADOW, MA 01028 413 - 562 - 7221


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