Transmitting a communication from City Manager, Yi-An Huang, regarding an update on micromobility regulation.

To: Yi-An Huang, City Manager From: Brooke McKenna, Commissioner Date: March 12, 2026 Subject: 2026 Update on Micromobility In Awaiting Report 2024 #06 the City Council asked City staff to determine what authority the City has to regulate micromobility devices, such as motorized scooters, skateboards, and others on bike paths, bikeways, trails, and public ways. The City Manager responded via CMA 2024 #67, which the Council further discussed in the Transportation Committee meeting on June 25, 2024. The conclusions reached by the City and the Council were that municipalities had some authority to regulate e-mobility devices on certain types of public ways. Still, the issue is largely within the purview of state authority, and state laws are confusing and, in some areas, even conflicting. MassDOT recently published the final report of its Special Commission on Micromobility, which it formed to study and make recommendations, including:  a review of current state and local laws and regulations for micromobility vehicles  recommendations to regulate micromobility vehicles, including on bike paths, sidewalks, and shared use paths  recommendations to support the expansion of micromobility vehicle use and innovation including shared micromobility options for municipalities In addition to discussing the status of micromobility in the US and Massachusetts, the report describes current Massachusetts regulations, requirements, and challenges. The Commission recommends 16 actions for the legislature, MassDOT, and several other entities to take to respond to the increasing use of micromobility in Massachusetts:  Legislative and Regulatory Changes  Speed-Based Classification Schema  Micro ID  Safety and Enforcement  Police Training  Crash Report and Vulnerable User Data  Default Maximum Speed on Paths  Education Campaign  Automated Enforcement  Model Municipal Traffic Control Ordinance  Infrastructure  Design Guidance  Mobility Integration  Funding for Upgrades  Growth  Expand Bikeshare  Fund More E-Bike Subsidies  Commercial Use Micromobility Study  Presumed Liability Study We respectfully transmit the attached “Special Commission on Micromobility Report“ and request that the Transportation and Public Utilities Committee hold a hearing in which to discuss the report, current actions the City is taking, and next steps for micromobility in Cambridge.