Will Boston Ban E-Bikes for Food Delivery? Hear What Community Members, Dashers, and Students Have to Say!

In August, a tragic incident occurred in Back Bay when a 64-year-old man was hit by an e-bike delivering food near Copley Square. He was taken to the hospital with serious injuries and sadly passed away two weeks later.

Following this accident, Boston City Councilor Ed Flynn, a strong advocate for better regulation of bikes, is pushing to ban mopeds and e-bikes used for food delivery in the city. Flynn stated, “It can no longer be the Wild West on the streets of Boston,” reflecting growing concerns about safety.

Currently, the Boston Police Department does not track e-bike accidents, but safety worries have risen. Flynn cited numerous reports of speeding-related bike accidents. Critics of the ban argue that this would hurt the livelihoods of many delivery workers, as around 33% of DoorDash drivers in Boston rely on e-bikes.

This proposed ban, introduced to City Council on September 17, would amend an ordinance Mayor Michelle Wu had already proposed. This ordinance requires food delivery companies to have liability insurance for their workers and share trip data to improve roadway safety.

Many residents have voiced their thoughts on the matter. For instance, Nicole Sweet, a speech pathologist, mentioned witnessing numerous bike accidents, expressing the frightening nature of the current situation. Boston College student Sarah Pham echoed this, highlighting the confusion among bikers on how to navigate city streets.

The rise in food delivery trips has been significant. A report revealed that such trips surged from 45 million in 2019 to 105 million in 2021 in Massachusetts. By 2022, Boston ranked third in the U.S. for food delivery spending per person.

In the quest for faster deliveries, companies have pushed workers to prioritize speed, which has resulted in many e-bike riders ignoring traffic rules. Flynn remarked, “No reasonable person believes the rules of the road can continue to be optional.”

Some council members worry, however, about the economic impact. Councilor Enrique Pepén expressed concern for delivery drivers who rely on mopeds for income. Many drivers, like Roligo Castro, voiced that this ban threatens their ability to support themselves.

On the flip side, some see benefits in e-bikes. They help people navigate Boston’s congested streets and side streets more effectively than cars, especially for food delivery. However, even some supporters of e-bikes acknowledge the need for better regulation instead of an outright ban.

Shayla Riley, a student, argued that the ban would negatively affect both businesses and drivers. Anna Cruzado pointed out that e-bikes are quicker and more efficient for deliveries, which customers, especially students, rely on.

Drivers have faced rising living costs in Boston, where housing prices are significantly higher than most U.S. cities. Many delivery drivers earn less than $16 an hour after expenses. E-bikes help them cope with these rising costs by bypassing traffic.

DoorDash, the leading food delivery service in the U.S., emphasized that banning e-bikes would push deliveries back into cars, worsening traffic and pollution. They pointed out that bikers often earn more and that cities with more bike usage have lower overall traffic fatalities.

Despite safety concerns, many argue that a ban is not the right solution. The current proposal remains under review, and the City Council is weighing its potential consequences on both safety and the local economy.

As the debate continues, both sides share a common goal: making Boston’s streets safer for everyone. The situation highlights the balancing act between safety, economic livelihood, and urban planning.



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