06/06/2026
Damage caused by an e-bike can be seen on the futsal court after Kent Heights Park was rejuvenated last year. Police say there were multiple instances of this type of damage in multiple parks throughout the city.
Posted Thursday, June 4, 2026 11:34 am
By Ethan Hartley
The East Providence City Council unanimously passed a revised ordinance banning e-bikes from city sidewalks and recreational facilities during their meeting on Tuesday, June 2.
Under the new law, no person shall be permitted to move or trundle any electric bicycle within a city-owned park or recreation area, including “all areas within the boundaries of city-owned park or recreation area, including but not limited to trails, paths, playgrounds, picnic areas, and open green spaces.”
A violation carries a $100 fine for a first offense, a $250 fine for a second offense, and a $500 fine for a third and subsequent offense. Starting with the third offense, the law empowers police to impound the offending e-bike and hold it until a forfeiture hearing is held, when the owner can make a claim to get the bike back.
The law also states that anyone who causes damage to a park or recreational facility on an e-bike, in addition to the fine, will be responsible for the costs associated with fixing the relevant damage.
East Providence Police Chief Michael Rapoza testified at the city council meeting last November when this law was first proposed saying that police had responded to four separate incidents involving e-bike related damage at city parks last year — two at Kent Heights, one at Ona Moniz Park, and one at Grassy Plains Park. Rapoza reiterated the need for the law on Tuesday.
“This is just to protect the investment that the city has made into all of our city parks,” he said. “In the first few months of some of the parks that were opened up there was quite a bit of damage that was very, very expensive to fix. So this is hopefully to thwart that occurrence.”
City Council President Bob Rodericks commented that the ordinance had been discussed and adjusted accordingly over the course of several months.
He said one of the concerns raised with the initial ordinance amendment was the possibility that someone could technically be in violation of the law if they simply rode their e-bike to a park and parked it in the parking lot. That has been cleared up with the new version, he said.
“We’ve refined this a number of ways. This has been discussed often. The bottom line here is to stop unnecessary destruction, even if it’s accidental, of the greenways in our parks,” he said. “If you have an electric bicycle…you can drive them wherever you can legally, you can drive to a park, you can drive to a playground, but leave it in the parking lot.”
Penalties reduced in severity
The ordinance amendment had previously received first passage in November of 2025, but had been tabled since. The original language — described as “draconian” by Ward 4 Councilman Rick Lawson — included a $500 fine for a first-time offense, and forfeiture of the bike.
Lawson said his initial concerns had been satisfied, and he voted alongside Rodericks and Council Vice President Frank Rego, 3-0, to approve second and final passage of the ordinance amendment. Ward 3 Councilman Frank Fogarty and Ward 2 Councilwoman Anna Sousa were not present at the meeting.
“East Providence’s parks and recreational spaces are some of our city’s most treasured community assets, providing residents and families a safe place to walk, play, exercise and enjoy the beautiful outdoor spaces across our city,” Mayor Bob DaSilva said in a press release following the passage of the law. “This ordinance is about protecting the safety of all of our residents and making sure that we continue to maintain the welcoming and family-friendly atmosphere at our parks and recreational spaces.”
https://www.eastbayri.com//////stories/east-providence-passes-revised-ordinance-banning-e-bikes-from-parks,140445?newsletter=140473
Damage caused by an e-bike can be seen on the futsal court after Kent Heights Park was rejuvenated last year. Police say there were multiple instances of this type of damage in multiple parks throughout the city.
The ordinance, originally proposed in November of 2025, was passed with less severe fines and clarifications about what was lawful and unlawful behavior.
