Councilor Flynn proposes road safety and community engagement commission to address bikes, e‑bikes and pedestrian safety

Councilor Ed Flynn filed an ordinance asking the City Council to establish a Road Safety and Community Engagement Commission to review and recommend rules for bicycles, electric bikes, motorized bicycles and scooters and to improve the city’s community engagement around street redesigns.

Flynn said neighbors — particularly seniors and small‑business owners — raise safety and enforcement concerns and that bike lanes and other street changes too often appear to be implemented without adequate community process. In his remarks he said Boston “can no longer be the Wild West” for micromobility devices and asked for a stronger framework for registration, enforcement and community input.

Several colleagues raised questions and cautions: Councilor Peppin supported a hearing but said regulation of bicycles should be considered carefully (noting children who ride bikes); Councilor Weber asked whether Bluebikes or shared‑bike programs would be affected by registration proposals. Councilor Durkin and others cautioned that pausing all bike infrastructure until a single master plan is adopted could reverse progress on reducing car dependency and could make streets less safe; Durkin said data show increases in bicycle trips where protected infrastructure was added.

Councilors agreed to send the filing to the Committee on Government Operations for further hearings, where the commission’s scope, definitions (e.g., which devices would require registration) and possible interactions with state traffic law will be addressed. Supporters emphasized stronger enforcement and better community process; opponents warned against measures that would create new barriers to biking or disadvantage low‑income riders.

The filing frames the item as a path to balancing safety, enforcement, and equity while coordinating with state law and the Boston Transportation Department’s planning work.