For safety’s sake – Town sets e-bike and scooter forum for Feb. 5

By Mark E. Vogler

SAUGUS – The collaboration of town officials on ways to protect the public from the potential dangers of e-bikes and motorized scooters on the bike trail and on streets throughout town has resulted in a public forum planned for 7 p.m. on Feb. 5 in the second-floor auditorium at Town Hall.

“It’s really been a team effort to bring this to our community,” Board of Selectmen Chair Debra Panetta said at last week’s (Jan. 13) selectmen’s meeting.

“We’ve all heard loud and clear that e-bikes and scooters are a problem in our town and we want to be proactive and try to bring education to everyone,” she said.

Panetta praised Saugus Police Chief Michael Riccardelli for taking an active role in ongoing discussions with town officials in coming up with ways to improve safety. Saugus Middle High School Principal Carla Scuzzarella has also been involved in the discussions and is expected to participate in the forum along with School Committee Chair Thomas Whittredge.

Selectman Jeffrey Cicolini, who has been involved in efforts to coordinate a wide range of town and local officials for the forum, said he recently received confirmation from all three members of the state legislative delegation – state Rep. Donald Wong (R-Saugus), State Rep. Jessica Giannino (D-Revere) and state Sen. Brendan Crighton (D-Lynn) – that they will be attending next month’s forum.

“I look forward to getting a status update on the legislation [affecting e-bikes],” Cicolini said.

“This is the perfect time to try to address this, obviously, because once the spring hits, that’s when the bikes will be back on the road again,” he said.

“Anything we can do beforehand would be great,” he said.

Cicolini commended the efforts of Town Meeting members to contribute to the discussion, particularly Precinct 1 Town Meeting Member Mark Bell. He also mentioned the efforts of Precinct 2 Town Meeting Member Robert J. Camuso Sr. to set up barriers to slow down e-bikes and other vehicles approaching street crossings along the rail trail.

“There are a lot of options for us to consider,” Cicolini said.