Mobility scooters in Massachusetts: what Chapter 90 says

People shopping for a mobility scooter in Massachusetts sometimes worry that it will be treated like the stand-up motorized scooters that need a license and stay off the road after dark. The General Laws separate the two. Chapter 90's definitions leave wheelchairs out of "motor vehicles," and they leave "a 3 wheeled motorized wheelchair" out of "motorized scooter."

What the statutes do not do is spell out sidewalk rules for mobility devices, so this guide quotes what is there, says plainly what is not, and then turns to the weather and the scooters themselves.

How the General Laws classify a mobility scooter

The definitions are in G.L. c. 90, § 1. "Motor vehicles" are "all vehicles constructed and designed for propulsion by power other than muscular power," with a list of exceptions that includes "wheelchairs owned and operated by invalids and vehicles which are operated or guided by a person on foot." The wording is old, but the effect is that a wheelchair used by a person with a disability is not a motor vehicle under Chapter 90.

The same section defines a "Motorized scooter" as "any 2 wheeled tandem or 3 wheeled device, that has handlebars, designed to be stood or sat upon by the operator, powered by an electric or gas powered motor," and adds: "The definition of ''motorized scooter'' shall not include a motorcycle, electric bicycle or motorized bicycle or a 3 wheeled motorized wheelchair." A four-wheel model falls outside that 2- or 3-wheel definition by its wheel count.

This matters because the motorized scooter rules in § 1E are strict: a motorized scooter "shall not be operated on any way by a person not possessing a valid driver's license or learner's permit, nor at a speed in excess of 20 miles per hour," and "No person shall operate a motor scooter upon any way at any time after sunset or before sunrise." Those lines are written for devices inside the motorized scooter definition, which by its own terms leaves out a 3 wheeled motorized wheelchair.

The statutes do not define "motorized wheelchair," so whether a given three-wheel mobility scooter counts as one is not settled by the text alone. We also did not find a General Law that sets sidewalk rules for mobility device users. Cities and towns may have bylaws, so ask your town clerk or police department how sidewalk riding is handled where you live.

At crosswalks, c. 89, § 11 tells drivers, where no signal is working, to "yield the right of way, slowing down or stopping if need be so to yield, to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within a crosswalk." Ride as a careful pedestrian would: use marked crosswalks and make eye contact with drivers.

A riding season shaped by heat and snow

NOAA's Massachusetts climate summary counts an average of 8.5 hot days (90°F or more) a year since 1950, with "the highest multiyear average since 1950 (11.5 days per year)" in 2015-2020. It also projects that "The annual number of days above 90°F is projected to increase by up to 40 days for parts of Massachusetts by midcentury under a higher emissions pathway." Winter is still cold: the long-term average is 7.2 very cold nights (0°F or lower) a year.

For riders, that means shade and water on summer errands, and in winter, routes that are cleared of snow. After a fresh snowfall, it is usually wiser to wait for plowed sidewalks than to push through. Keep it, and its battery, indoors and charged as the maker's manual directs.

Scooters worth a look in Massachusetts

• Pride Go Go Super Portable: folds to a 12-inch depth without removing the seat and tows on its handle, which helps with trunk loading and tight apartment storage. It carries up to 300 lbs, with up to 10 miles at 220 lbs.
• Pride Victory 10 3-wheel: a midsize scooter with a 42 in. turning radius for store aisles, a 400 lb capacity and up to 15.5 miles per charge.
• Feather Power Scooter: 37 lbs without batteries, designed to be lifted into a car, with up to 7.5 miles from its 25.2V 10Ah lithium battery.
• Golden LiteRider 4-Wheel: four wheels for stability, six pieces with no wires to connect, the heaviest 52 lbs, and up to 12.5 miles per charge.

Borrow or try one first

MassAbility's Assistive Technology Services say that "Device Loan programs allow individuals to borrow assistive technology equipment on a short and long-term basis," and they invite people to try equipment at "one of MassAbility's Demo and Pickup Centers." Its REquipment program takes donated devices in working condition. The AT3 Center lists a financial loan program for Massachusetts too.

Ordering and delivery to Massachusetts

We ship to the lower 48 states and DC. Shipping is free on orders over $500, $15 on orders under $500, and we cover the sales tax on every order. Most products are processed in 2-5 business days; some brands differ. Our Massachusetts shipping page lists the details, and the scooter fit check compares capacity, range and portability against your needs.

Questions about mobility scooters in Massachusetts

Do I need a driver's license to ride a mobility scooter in Massachusetts?

The license rule in G.L. c. 90, § 1E applies to a "motorized scooter," and § 1 says that definition does not include "a 3 wheeled motorized wheelchair." Chapter 90 also excludes wheelchairs used by people with disabilities from "motor vehicles." The statutes do not define "motorized wheelchair," so ask your local police if you are unsure how your model is treated.

Can I ride a mobility scooter after dark in Massachusetts?

The ban on operating "upon any way at any time after sunset or before sunrise" in § 1E is part of the motorized scooter rules, and the motorized scooter definition excludes a 3 wheeled motorized wheelchair. Whatever the rule, if you ride at night, use lights and reflectors so drivers can see you, and ask your local police if you want certainty for your model.

Are there sidewalk rules for mobility scooters in Massachusetts?

We did not find a General Law setting sidewalk rules for mobility device users. Cities and towns may have bylaws, so ask your town clerk or police department. At crosswalks without working signals, c. 89, § 11 requires drivers to yield to a pedestrian crossing within a marked crosswalk.

How does Massachusetts weather affect scooter riding?

NOAA reports an average of 8.5 days a year at 90°F or more, 11.5 a year in 2015-2020, and 7.2 nights a year at 0°F or lower. Plan summer trips for cooler hours, avoid snow-covered routes, and store and charge the scooter indoors as its manual says.

Our mobility scooter collection lists folding, travel and full-size models; the fit check narrows them for you, and the full assessment looks at the rest of your daily routine. Questions? Email us at info@faithmobility.com.

Sources

• Massachusetts General Laws c. 90, § 1 (definitions)
• Massachusetts General Laws c. 90, § 1E (motorized scooters)
• Massachusetts General Laws c. 89, § 11 (pedestrians in crosswalks)
• NOAA NCEI State Climate Summaries: Massachusetts (2022)
• MassAbility: Assistive Technology Services
• AT3 Center: state assistive technology programs
• Product specifications: Faith Mobility product pages for the Go Go Super Portable, Victory 10 3-wheel, Feather Power Scooter and LiteRider 4-Wheel