BARRINGTON — The Barrington Police Department announced immediate enforcement efforts targeting dangerous operation of electric motorized bicycles, electric bicycles and e-bikes.
The measured enforcement effort aims to educate operators, parents and the general public while increasing safety and preventing serious injury.
Under Rhode Island law, juveniles under age 16 cannot operate electric motorized bicycles, electric bicycles or e-bikes regardless of class, according to state statutes 31-3-2.2 and 31-19.7-1.
Police said a class of electric “dirt bikes” and “minibikes” with motors more powerful than 750 watts and speeds over 28 mph are classified as “recreational vehicles” under state law 31-3.2-1.
These Class 4 vehicles cannot be operated on public roadways or registered, police said.
Officers will issue documented warnings for initial violations, followed by citations for second and subsequent violations.
Citations will be adjudicated in Rhode Island Traffic Tribunal, Rhode Island Family Court or the Barrington Juvenile Hearing Board depending on the case.
The enforcement effort targets violations of state statutes 31-1-3, 31-3-2.2, 31-3.2-1 and 31-19.7-1.
