Westfield council adopts ordinance banning low‑speed e‑bikes and motorized scooters on bike paths and park trails

The Town Council of Westfield adopted an ordinance that bans low‑speed electric bicycles and low‑speed electric scooters on bicycle paths and prohibits motorized bicycles and motorized scooters in town parks.

The ordinance (General Ordinance 20‑25‑13) was moved for adoption by the council’s Public Safety, Transportation and Parking Committee and adopted by roll call. Council discussion included concerns about the increasing speeds and safety risks associated with electric bicycles; Councilman Harris noted that electric assist can increase speeds from about 10 mph to about 20 mph and said the ordinance is a "first step" in a broader effort to address a growing safety issue.

Why it matters: Council members said the measure responds to resident complaints and police reports about safety on shared paths. The ordinance targets use on park and trail infrastructure rather than private property or streets and will be enforced by local police in accordance with existing municipal code enforcement practices.

Discussion vs. action: Council discussion was limited to safety concerns and the scope of the ordinance. The adoption on the council floor was a formal action; the transcript shows a recorded roll‑call with affirmative votes and the motion was carried. The meeting record does not include specific enforcement penalties in the discussion; enforcement will rely on the town’s existing code enforcement and police practices.

Additional context: Council members said Westfield has a history of local bicycle safety policy and that further state‑level and local work may follow as the issue evolves. The ordinance was referred to staff and to the Recreation Commission previously and was presented on second reading for adoption.