Chicopee, MA Public Conduct: Skateboarding Rules (2026)

The Chicopee City Council adopted Chapter 190 on 6-21-2005 as Ord. No. 05-149, and § 190-2 names a "motorized skateboard" among the devices it treats as a motorized scooter. Section 190-3(A) then bars any person from operating a motorized scooter, motorized skateboard or other similar motorized vehicle, which the chapter calls "personal motorized vehicles," on any City-owned or controlled public way, sidewalk, park, playground, recreational area, public school property or other property the City owns or controls. The bar lifts only with express written permission from the City official or officer with jurisdiction over that property, or that person's designee, defined as the "authorizing official."

Six categories are exempt: vehicles licensed by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as motor vehicles, federal vehicles such as United States Postal Service vehicles performing service to the public, personal motorized vehicles used by disabled persons, those used by governmental law enforcement personnel, landscaping equipment, and parade vehicles used during a licensed parade.

Any grant of permission has to carry minimum conditions under § 190-3(B): no operator under the age of 16 without a valid learner's permit or driver's license, a properly equipped braking system, a helmet worn at all times, no careless or reckless operation, and compliance with all applicable federal, state and local law. The authorizing official can add further restrictions the official deems necessary to protect public safety, interest and welfare. In § 190-1 the Council gave its reasons: severely congested streets, roadways and alleys, slower emergency vehicle response, and motor vehicle accidents involving operators, other vehicles and pedestrians.

A search of the Chicopee Code finds the word skateboard only in Chapter 190, and each use there is "motorized skateboard." This page therefore covers the motorized board and does not describe a rule for a plain foot-pushed skateboard.