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BPAC urges council to back e‑bike safety and awareness campaign
Summary
Emily Sullivan, chair of the Bicycle and Pedestrians Advisory Committee, asked the council to support a bilingual e‑bike safety and awareness campaign focused on youth, hotel/restaurant workers and drivers; the group proposed helmet giveaways and school outreach tied to National Bike to School Day.
Emily Sullivan, chair of the Bicycle and Pedestrians Advisory Committee, presented an e‑bike safety and awareness campaign proposal to the Middletown Town Council on March 3, asking for the council’s support and coordination with town staff and the police department.
Sullivan said Rhode Island law requires e‑bike operators to be at least 16 years old, mandates helmets for riders up to age 21 and requires e‑bikes to obey traffic laws. She reviewed the three federal classifications of e‑bikes (Class 1 and 2 limited to about 20 mph, Class 3 up to 28 mph) and warned that simple modifications can make an e‑bike exceed the e‑bike class and become classified as a motor vehicle that requires licensing.
“We’ve seen use explode in the past couple years, especially among students,” Sullivan said, and cited what she described as rising injuries and low helmet use; she told the council her materials cite injury counts increasing from 751 in 2017 to more than 23,000 in 2022.
Sullivan proposed a campaign that would produce clear, bilingual graphics explaining what an e‑bike is, the applicable laws and basic safety practices. The plan would partner with Bike Newport (which runs free e‑bike classes and a replacement‑bike program for under‑16 riders), the police department and school resource officers. Sullivan said Kiwanis previously donated helmets for a National Bike to School Day giveaway and that BPAC hoped to coordinate a similar effort around the May 6 event.
Council members praised the presentation and suggested next steps: making a school‑assembly presentation (with the school resource officer and the police department), targeting outreach to night‑time delivery and restaurant workers who ride unlit bikes, and coordinating with public affairs for social media and multilingual outreach. Town administrator Sean said staff would work with BPAC and the police department to develop materials and distribution plans.
Sullivan said BPAC did not expect to request town funds for basic flyer outreach and helmet giveaways, citing past Kiwanis support and community partners; she asked the council simply for a formal endorsement and staff assistance in distribution.
The council expressed general support and directed staff to follow up; no formal vote or funding request was taken at the meeting.
The council discussion indicated interest in school engagement and targeted night‑time outreach as the committee develops campaign materials.
