After heated debates on the topic for almost a year, Boston's city council recently passed an ordinance addressing what it deems "dangerous conditions" caused by scooters and e-bikes operated by food delivery drivers. Instead of holding those responsible for the unsafe street conditions—the drivers themselves—the council instead decided to target delivery platforms.
In June 2024, the Boston police department and Mayor's office warned delivery companies of an impending crackdown based on what they described as "widespread and ongoing incidents of running red lights, driving on city sidewalks, driving the wrong way down one-way streets, driving at speeds in excess of posted limited, and collisions." The mayor's office cited over 100 complaints filed in the last year regarding reckless moped drivers, many of which allegedly involved unregistered scooters operating illegally within the city. The new ordinance requires delivery companies to provide liability insurance for all their drivers and to share internal data on deliveries made in the city.
"Boston can no longer be the Wild West," said Councilor Ed Flynn, who represents the city's second district. "Whether it's cars, mopeds, dirt bikes, electric bikes, or bikes, everyone has to be obeying the same rules of the road."
