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Government·July 15, 2026

Woonsocket Council Bans Motorized E-Bikes From City Sidewalks

The Woonsocket City Council finalized an ordinance Monday banning motorized and battery-powered bicycles from city sidewalks, with debate centered on child safety and parental responsibility.

A close-up illustration of an electric bicycle's motor and battery pack resting on a section of concrete sidewalk, rendered in loose editorial…
Why This Matters

Woonsocket residents who ride e-bikes or motorized bicycles are now barred from using city sidewalks under an ordinance the council finalized Monday; the law took effect with the vote.

The Woonsocket City Council gave final approval Monday to an ordinance barring battery-powered and motorized bicycles from city sidewalks, according to the Woonsocket Town Council's published meeting recording.

The measure, ordinance 26-032, amends Chapter 16 of the city code, which covers streets and sidewalks, by adding a new section prohibiting the use of e-bikes and other motorized bicycles on sidewalks throughout the city. The council approved the ordinance on second passage by a roll call vote, with all seven members present voting yes.

The legislation had already cleared first passage at a prior meeting; Monday's action makes it final and enacts the new prohibition into the city code.

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Before the vote, one council member raised concerns from residents about young children riding e-bikes, some of which can reach speeds up to 35 miles per hour. The council member argued that responsibility for keeping children off e-bikes rests with parents, saying that if a child is too young to safely and legally ride an e-bike in the street, they should instead start with a traditional bicycle and learn the rules of the road. The council member emphasized that sidewalks are meant for pedestrians, with an exception for people using motorized wheelchairs or similar mobility devices, and are not intended for bikes capable of high speeds.

The ordinance took effect with the council's vote Monday. Residents with questions about how the new sidewalk restriction will be enforced can raise them at a future council meeting or through the city clerk's office, where a copy of the enacted ordinance is on file.

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