New Bedford, MA Mobility & Curb Rules: Shared E-Scooter Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- No-ride zones
- Sidewalks, parks, playgrounds, schools
- Towing authority
- Officer's sole discretion, immediate
- Towing/storage cost
- Billed to owner
- Reflector requirement
- Visible 500 ft, front and rear
- Governing sections
- § 23-25, § 23-25.1
Summary
New Bedford's traffic ordinance bars motorized scooters from every sidewalk, park, playground, school, and any place the public reaches as an invitee or licensee, confining them to public ways under state scooter law. Police who find a scooter can't be lawfully operated may order it towed immediately, and the owner pays all towing and storage costs.
(c)No person shall operate a motorized scooter on any sidewalk or in any place other than a public way that the public has a right of access, or any place to which the public have access as invitees or licensees, or on any public property, schools, playgrounds or parks within the city.(d)Whenever a police officer finds a violation of any provision of law relative to the operation of a motorized scooter and the police officer determines, in the officer's sole discretion, that the motorized scooter cannot be lawfully operated under the circumstances, the police officer shall have the authority to order the towing of said motorized scooter and the owner of the motorized scooter shall be responsible for all towing and storage costs.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 19).
Full Breakdown
c. c. 90, § 1E and all other relevant provisions of Chapter 90. Beyond that state framework, the city adds its own no-ride zones: no person may operate a motorized scooter on any sidewalk, on any public property, in any school, playground, or park within the city, or in any other place the public reaches as an invitee or licensee. Riding is permitted only on a public way that the public has a right to use. Enforcement is discretionary and immediate: when a police officer finds a violation and determines, in the officer's sole judgment, that the scooter cannot lawfully be operated under the circumstances, the officer may order it towed on the spot, and the department must log the vehicle description, the operator's and owner's names, the date, time, and location of the tow, the towing company, and the reason.
The owner bears all towing and storage costs. 1, layers on a separate equipment mandate: any motor scooter or other motorized vehicle on a public way (other than a registered motor vehicle or motorcycle) must carry lights or reflectors visible from 500 feet, front and rear. c. 90, §§ 1, 1C and 1E.
Violations & Fines
Riding on a banned sidewalk, park, playground, school property, or other invitee/licensee space is itself the violation; no warning is required before towing. A fine attaches under the general penalty schedule of Section 17-18, and a scooter towed under Section 23-25(d) generates full towing and storage charges billed to the owner. Failing to equip a scooter with the required reflective lighting under Section 23-25.1 draws a separate fine under Chapter 17.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I ride a motorized scooter on a New Bedford sidewalk?
When can New Bedford police tow a scooter?
Do New Bedford scooters need reflectors or lights?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in New Bedford
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Shared E-Scooter Rules in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Bristol County handle shared e-scooter rules.