PLYMOUTH - November 25 - The Plymouth Select Board held a packed public hearing on November 25, 2025, to gather community input on proposed electric bicycle regulations that would restrict riders under 16½ years old, require registration, and ban certain e-bikes from town paths—drawing passionate testimony from dozens of residents who challenged the scope and focus of the legislation.
The Full Story
The proposed bylaw represents Plymouth’s attempt to address growing safety concerns about e-bikes while balancing the recreational and mobility needs of residents. Select Board member Deborah Iaquinto, who championed the initiative, told the audience that between January 2024 and September 2025, Plymouth police received more calls about e-bikes than motorcycles. She cited concerns from residents about fast-moving bikes on the rail trail and sidewalks, children on motorized bikes who don’t know traffic rules, and a serious accident involving a grandmother’s grandson.
“E-bikes are wildly popular,” Iaquinto said. “In Massachusetts, they’re actually outselling regular bikes two to one. But with that growth comes safety concerns.” She emphasized that the proposed regulations aim to establish reasonable guidelines that encourage responsible ridership while discouraging dangerous behavior.
Town Manager Derek Brindisi explained the regulatory framework, noting that the proposed legislation would eventually require approval at town meeting before being sent to the state legislature for final adoption. The process began in May when the board asked the administration to examine e-bike issues, working with the Commission of Health and Human Services and the police chief.
However, the public hearing revealed significant opposition to key provisions of the proposed bylaw. Seth Lawrence, owner of Serious Cycles bike shop for 30 years, argued that the regulations conflate e-bikes with e-dirt bikes—fundamentally different vehicles. “An e-bicycle is about 40 pounds to 50 pounds. An e-dirt bike is about 200 plus,” he explained. “Speeds of a Class 1, Class 2 e-bike is generally going to be 20 miles per hour, whereas the speed of an e-dirt bike is 60 miles per hour.”
Lawrence emphasized that most of his e-bike customers are over 50 years old and use the bikes for mobility assistance. “I don’t feel that registering a bicycle is going to serve any purpose to law enforcement,” he said, adding that it would cost the town money to maintain a database. He supported helmet requirements and penalties for reckless driving but opposed restrictions on responsible riders.
Multiple seniors testified about how e-bikes have extended their ability to exercise and enjoy the outdoors. Lee Corwin, a retired physician, stated: “I ride my e-bikes with my grandkids. It provides exercise for me that I can enjoy. Without the e-bike, I would not have that opportunity.” He noted that Class 1 and 2 e-bikes “go no faster than a non-motorized bicycle” and “will produce no greater injury than a non-motorized bicycle would produce if involved in an accident.”
Lori Downs presented perhaps the most comprehensive critique of the proposed regulations. She explained that her daughter, who has muscular dystrophy, can only participate in family bike rides because of a pedal-assist Class 1 e-bike. “Bike paths are the only option for my daughter because her trike is too wide for street riding,” Downs said. She argued that the bylaw targets the wrong bikes: “This bylaw is not about high speed Class 3 e-bikes. Instead, it seeks to regulate the slower pedal assist Class 1 and 2 bikes.”
Downs raised a significant legal concern, stating that under current Massachusetts law, the town cannot lawfully require licensing and registration of Class 1 and 2 e-bikes because the state treats them as regular bikes, not motorized vehicles. She urged the board to “withdraw this proposed bylaw and instead, on a local level, focus on education and enforcement of the existing laws.”
Harrison Quinn, a town meeting member and eighth-grade civics teacher at PCIS, objected strenuously to the age restriction. “Banning e-bikes for riders under the age of 16½ is not a step in the right direction. In fact, to me, it seems to be blatant age discrimination against a group that conveniently can’t vote,” he said. Quinn pointed out the inconsistency: “This proposal is at 16½, which means a 16-year-old is legally allowed to get their permit and drive a car, but not mature enough to ride a bike.”
Quinn supported consequences for poor behavior and suggested alternatives such as requiring teens to take bike safety courses and having parents sign off on teen e-bike registration. “I think we could do better,” he concluded. “Outright banning a large group of e-bike riders to me is just not good policy.”
Several speakers suggested the town should embrace training and certification rather than prohibition. Greg Iaquinto (husband of board member Deborah Iaquinto) reported that towns like Andover, Boston, and Worcester are “embracing training and certification first and embracing organizations like MassBike.” He cited Hanover’s zero-tolerance policy: “You don’t wear your helmet, the bike’s gone. If you’re riding a sidewalk, the bike’s gone.” He advocated for certification programs that would provide road safety training as a precursor to driver education.
Not all testimony opposed regulation. Grace Pantano, who lives along the Seaside Trail, described dangerous passing by both e-bike and regular bike riders who fail to alert pedestrians. “When people pass you on an e-bike or on a regular bike, they don’t indicate to you that they’re passing you. You can’t hear them. So if one were to just sidestep, you could be hit and seriously injured,” she said. She supported regulation and suggested a yellow line down the bike path to define areas, as well as requiring riders to announce when passing.
Steve Mattern and Leighton Price both advocated for infrastructure improvements, including painting a centerline on the Grace Trail, widening the trail, and extending it from its current one-mile length up to Kingston. Price, who has been cycling for over 80 years and organized bike rides for a decade, argued that “the current draft of e-bike regulations would seriously and negatively impact Plymouth residents, as well as non-residents.” He noted that European e-bike requirements—250-watt motors, no throttle, 20 mph maximum—are “essentially class one e-bike specifications” and very sensible.
Town counsel Kate McKay outlined the proposed legislation, which includes definitions of different e-bike classes, rules for operation, penalties and enforcement provisions, and exemptions for law enforcement. The legislation proposes restrictions on where e-bikes can be ridden, speed expectations, age requirements, and consequences for irresponsible riding.
The written comment period remains open, and the board will review all verbal and written testimony before bringing the matter back on December 16th for potential modifications. The proposed legislation must be finalized by December 17th when the town meeting warrant closes, with a vote scheduled for the April 2026 town meeting.
In addition to the e-bike discussion, the board appointed committee members to several important bodies. For the Earth Removal Bylaw Committee, three one-year terms were filled. Edward Conroy, a longtime zoning board member and attorney with real estate expertise, received three votes. Scott MacMillin, a retired hydrogeologist with 42 years of environmental consulting experience, received four votes. Hampton Watkins, who holds a PhD in planetary sciences and has extensive sustainability education, also received four votes.
Conroy emphasized enforcement problems with the current bylaw and suggested requiring cash bonds from developers to ensure they follow through on promised end uses. “Say they’re taking, say they’re going to make four million dollars off of the sand and gravel or two million, whatever it may be... maybe they put up out of that four million, a million bucks or something, where we make them the cash out of their bank account,” he said.
MacMillin, who is deeply concerned about sand mining’s environmental impact, stated: “Sand mining has caused significant and permanent ecological damage in Plymouth, including the loss of the rare coastal pine barren habitat.” He criticized the current bylaw’s implementation as “certainly inconsistent” and lacking “meaningful enforcement mechanisms.”
Several other applicants, including Walter Morrison, David Peck, and Richard Serkey, provided thoughtful testimony about the earth removal bylaw. Morrison, vice chair of the Conservation Commission and a cranberry industry veteran, acknowledged that “the cranberry industry by some individuals have been used as a fig leaf to cover and gain access to sand.” Peck, who has served on the Zoning Board of Appeals for 20 years, advocated for requiring special permits for virtually all earth removal projects and studying alternatives to proposed developments.
Serkey, who was a member of the committee that formulated the current 2018 bylaw, stated: “Experience has shown over subsequent years that these criteria were not scientifically specific enough to prevent undesirable earth removal operations.” He called for professional consultant advice to supply “specific scientific criteria by which to distinguish earth removal operations.”
The board also appointed members to the Historic District Commission. Liz Tracy, a Plymouth native passionate about local history, and Ryan Vayo, co-owner of a custom building company specializing in traditional New England architecture and current commission member, were both unanimously appointed to three-year terms. Tracy emphasized the importance of preserving Plymouth’s architectural heritage: “I think in 1,000 years from now, the future of Plymouth is going to be really thankful that we saved our history and our structures.”
For the Little Red Schoolhouse Committee, Terry McKenna was appointed to a three-year term and Mark Thompson to a two-year term. McKenna has been associated with the schoolhouse since 1979 “when the town bought it and saved it from a bulldozer.” Thompson, who lives across the street from the schoolhouse, expressed his desire to “make sure that I can do whatever I can to help it to continue to be available to the committee as the valuable resource it is.” Thompson also emphasized the need to “get the building designated somehow as a historical structure so that it can’t be messed with by future board members.”
Gabrielle Paci was appointed to the Senior Task Force Committee. Paci, a 16-month resident of Plymouth with extensive experience serving on boards of mental health organizations, stated: “I’m passionate about some of the issues with senior living. I understand a lot of the issues around physical, mental health and social, the importance of social activity for seniors.”
The Downtown Waterfront District provided an update through representative Rick Vayo, who reported that the organization is “thriving” with over 50 downtown members, expected to grow to 70-100 by early next year. The recent Harvest Fest drew 2,000-3,000 people to downtown, and the upcoming Holiday Stroll from December 5-7 will feature the tree lighting, menorah lighting, carolers, and various family activities. “The businesses seem thrilled with the response,” Vayo said, noting that 19 businesses are participating in the cookie trail alone.
Town Manager Derek Brindisi provided updates on several infrastructure projects. The Long Pond Road/Halfway Pond Road intersection signals have arrived and will be installed late next week, with the signals remaining on flash mode for 2-3 weeks to allow residents to adjust. The Clock Road and Pine Hills Drive traffic signals were completed on November 21st. Brindisi also reported that the harbormaster and grant writer secured a $155,000 federal port security grant to strengthen harbor security at Town Wharf.
Regarding the Bert’s property demolition, Brindisi reported that septic system certification has been completed and asbestos remediation occurred on October 31st. He expects the building to be demolished within 7-14 days, stating: “If not, I will be working with town council, and I will be working with the building commissioner on taking any further necessary legal action against the property owner.”
The meeting also featured discussion about agenda management. Board member Iaquinto raised concerns that many strategic priorities set by the board over the summer—including staffing in planning and development, a new economic development model, improving regulatory processes for businesses, and public safety staffing—have been requested for the agenda but have no dates attached. She proposed creating an “agenda roadmap” looking out over the next few months to include standing items, strategic discussions with clear descriptions, and informational items. “Right now, to me, maybe I’m alone in this, but they’re feeling a little ad hoc. We never quite know what we’re gonna get,” she said.
Board member Richard Quintal responded that some delays result from board members asking additional questions during presentations rather than reviewing materials in advance: “We ask to get the packets done two weeks in advance. So after you get that all done, the board members come in here and they start asking more questions... Why don’t you look over your packet, get your information, call the department head, reach out to them, get your answers and let’s move along.”
Board members Kevin Canty and Bill Keohan both supported the idea of holding another workshop, similar to one held previously on policies and procedures, to address agenda management and other board operations issues.
Chair David Golden reported that he and the vice chair recently met with Melissa Ferretti from the Herring Pond Wampanoag tribe for productive discussions, with plans to reconvene in December with town staff. Golden also met twice with representatives from the Plymouth Together We Can group to discuss concerns about ICE operations in town. He announced that he and Canty will meet with the attorney general’s office on December 8th to receive guidance on what the town can and can’t do regarding immigration enforcement cooperation.
Why It Matters
The e-bike regulation debate reveals a community grappling with how to balance safety concerns against mobility needs, recreational access, and the rights of different age groups. The proposed restrictions could significantly impact seniors who depend on e-bikes for exercise and mobility, families who use them for recreation, and teenagers seeking independence and outdoor activity. The outcome will set precedent for how Plymouth regulates emerging transportation technologies and whether the town prioritizes prohibition or education in addressing safety concerns. With the April 2026 town meeting vote approaching, residents have limited time to influence regulations that could affect how thousands of people navigate Plymouth for years to come. The appointments to the Earth Removal Bylaw Committee signal renewed focus on protecting Plymouth’s natural resources and aquifer from sand mining operations that have created controversial excavations visible from Route 3, while the Historic District Commission appointments reflect ongoing efforts to preserve the town’s architectural heritage as development pressures continue.
Meeting Minutes
Key Motions & Votes
Motion: Enter executive session to discuss lease extension for 132 Warren Ave (Sandy’s Restaurant/Frag Link property). Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous (Keohan-Yes, Canty-Yes, Iaquinto-Yes, Golden-Yes). (Timestamp: 00:04:37)
Motion: Approve pledge of license for liquor, vehicle for hire operator new, one day all alcohol license as a group. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous (Keohan-Yes, Canty-Yes, Iaquinto-Yes, Golden-Yes). (Timestamp: 01:14:37)
Motion: Approve six listed administrative notes as a group. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous (Iaquinto-Yes, Canty-Yes, Keohan-Yes, Golden-Yes). (Timestamp: 01:15:04)
Motion: Appoint Edward Conroy, Scott MacMillin, and Hampton Watkins to Earth Removal Bylaw Committee (three one-year terms). Outcome: Approved. Multiple ballots: MacMillin and Watkins each received 4 votes (Keohan, Iaquinto, Canty, Golden); Conroy received 3 votes (Keohan, Quintal, Golden). (Timestamp: 03:29:27)
Motion: Appoint Liz Tracy and Ryan Vayo to Historic District Commission (two three-year terms). Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous - each received 5 votes (Iaquinto, Canty, Quintal, Keohan, Golden). (Timestamp: 03:51:25)
Motion: Appoint Terry McKenna to Little Red Schoolhouse Committee (three-year term). Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous (Keohan-Yes, Quintal-Yes, Canty-Yes, Iaquinto-Yes, Golden-Yes). (Timestamp: 04:05:09)
Motion: Appoint Mark Thompson to Little Red Schoolhouse Committee (two-year term). Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous (Iaquinto-Yes, Canty-Yes, Quintal-Yes, Keohan-Yes, Golden-Yes). (Timestamp: 04:06:40)
Motion: Appoint Gabrielle Paci to Senior Task Force Committee. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous (Keohan-Yes, Quintal-Yes, Canty-Yes, Iaquinto-Yes, Golden-Yes). (Timestamp: 04:12:23)
Motion: Adjourn meeting. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous (Keohan-Yes, Quintal-Yes, Canty-Yes, Iaquinto-Yes, Golden-Yes). (Timestamp: 04:29:15)
Public Comment
The meeting featured extensive public comment during the e-bike regulation hearing. Approximately 15 residents testified in person, with passionate views on both sides. The majority of speakers opposed key provisions of the proposed bylaw, particularly the age restriction of 16½ years and the ban on Class 1 and 2 e-bikes from town paths. Multiple seniors testified that e-bikes enable them to exercise and remain active. Parents described how e-bikes allow children with disabilities to participate in family activities. Several speakers argued that the regulations conflate regular e-bikes with dangerous e-dirt bikes and urged the board to focus on education and enforcement rather than prohibition. A smaller number of speakers supported regulations, describing dangerous encounters with fast-moving e-bikes on shared paths and calling for better trail etiquette enforcement. Business owners in the cycling industry emphasized that most e-bike buyers are responsible adults over 50, not reckless youth. Richard Serkey delivered general public comment requesting that the board appoint him as special town counsel to file a superior court complaint against the owners of Bert’s property to enforce a demolition order.
What’s Next
The e-bike regulation proposal will return to the Select Board on December 16, 2025, for consideration of modifications based on public testimony and written comments. The proposed bylaw must be finalized by December 17, 2025, when the town meeting warrant closes, with a vote scheduled for April 2026 town meeting. The Earth Removal Bylaw Committee will begin meeting to work with a consultant on revising the town’s earth removal regulations, with the goal of bringing recommendations to Fall 2026 town meeting. Chair Golden will meet with the attorney general’s office on December 8, 2025, along with board member Canty, regarding guidance on ICE cooperation policies. Golden will also reconvene in December with Melissa Ferretti from the Herring Pond Wampanoag tribe and town staff to discuss potential initiatives. The Bert’s property demolition is expected within 7-14 days; if not completed, the town will pursue further legal action. The Long Pond Road/Halfway Pond Road intersection signals will be installed late the following week and placed on flash mode for 2-3 weeks. The Downtown Waterfront District Holiday Stroll will take place December 5-7, 2025. Town Hall will be closed Friday, December 26, 2025.
Full meeting available via Local Scene cable access (Comcast Channel 9, Verizon Channel 47).
E bike rider's should need licenses pay excise tax ang get inspection stickers.