04/03/2026
As the warm spring weather has begun to come about the Bellows Falls Police Department has received numerous complaints regarding individuals riding bicycles / electric bicycles / scooters in a dangerous manner. Last year we had numerous accidents involving juveniles on e-bikes versus motor vehicles. Our community is lucky that none of these incidents resulted in a tragedy, though some did end with injuries. Many of these electric bicycles will meet or exceed speeds of 30 miles per hour and while some of these electric bicycles do not require a driver’s license, a 12-year-old juvenile does not know the rules of the road and is not safe to be driving on the road at 30 miles per hour with other cars and trucks.
Moving forward we will be issuing 'Bicycle- Notice of Violation' forms to those who violate our municipal ordinances and or violations of the Vermont Statutes Annotated Title 23. These notice of violation forms are not a punitive measure but are being used to educate those operating bicycles on the streets. Individuals operating bicycles / electric bicycles / scooters can and will be ticketed for the behavior, to include ticketing parents for the actions of their children if violations continue.
Our goal is not to ruin anyone’s fun or pass out tickets, but to ensure that bicyclists and motorists on the street are safe on the streets.
A few (not all, but the main ones we look for) simple rules and safety tips to follow for safe riding:
-Ride as far to the right side of the improved portion of the road as possible. This means no riding in the middle of the travel lane and riding in the same direction of traffic. No riding towards traffic, to include one-way streets such as Williams St, Oak St, etc.)
-Exercise due care around other vehicles (parked or moving) on the roadway. Look before you turn. Do not cut in front of motor vehicles on the roadway.
-Bicyclists who operate at night must be equipped with a lamp that emits a white light on the front of the bike and a lamp that emits a red light and or a reflector on the back of the bicycle.
-Ensure your equipment is functioning properly (brakes, lights, etc.)
-Yield to pedestrians and other vehicles on the roadway.
-Wear a helmet.
Below you can find links to the village ordinances as well as Vermont Statutes Annotated Title 23 governing the operation of bicycles / electric bicycles / scooters.
Municipal Ordinance - Chapter IV Motor Vehicles and Traffic – Article XI Bicycles:
https://app.box.com/s/e6g03g85up0goxwj0ia2wmqqasqxs9hs
Municipal Ordinance – Chapter V Streets and Sidewalks – Article V Obstructions:
https://app.box.com/s/tif0on1mjpljl40u4pt2718ny4nbalp4
Vermont Statutes Annotated Title 23 relevant statutes:
https://legislature.vermont.gov/statutes/section/23/013/01139
Going forward we will be continuing different methods of education on bicycles and bicycle safety. We want everyone to have a fun and safe summer!
The Statutes below include the actions of the 2025 session of the General Assembly.NOTE: The Vermont Statutes Online is an unofficial copy of the Vermont Statutes Annotated that is provided as a convenience.
