The Boston City Council is weighing a potential ban on mopeds and e-bikes used by food delivery drivers.
The mopeds and similar modes of transportation have become notorious in Boston, often weaving through traffic and lining up outside of popular takeout spots. At a hearing on Tuesday, some councilors aimed to put the brakes on that.
“Boston can no longer be the wild, wild west,” said Ed Flynn, city councilor for District 2.
During the Tuesday meeting, councilors read a letter from the Boston Police Department, which opposes an outright ban and says it would negatively impact community policing efforts. They did acknowledge, however, that scooters post a safety risk, saying that 525 crash reports from 2025 mentioned scooters.
Proposed moped ban for food deliveries
The hearing at City Hall discussed a potential total ban on mopeds for third-party delivery.
“I actively urge our council members to ban them permanently,” said Boston resident Eduardo Mostrom.
Mostrom said the mopeds disrupt traffic, but he also added that he’s been harassed by some of the drivers.
“As I am walking with my husband from the gym in the South End, through Symphony or Fenway, I can hear derogatory comments,” Mostrom said.
In February 2025, Mayor Michelle Wu said more than 100 complaints had been filed about moped delivery drivers.
Last year, someone was killed in a crash with an apparent e-bike delivery driver near Copley Square.
“I’m afraid if this body does not act, more people will get hurt, including the drivers themselves,” Flynn said.
Boston Cyclists Union opposes ban
Flynn said that mopeds are also tying up public safety resources.
“It’s unrealistic to expect Boston Police to consistently enforce all of the hundreds of mopeds,” he said.
Sharon Durkan, city councilor for District 8, weighed in during the hearing as well.
“We know that micro mobility reduces traffic, but we also know these companies are wreaking havoc on our streets and we have to provide balance,” Durkan said.
Other city leaders and community members say an outright ban is not the answer, citing environmental, traffic, and equity concerns.
“The delivery drivers targeted by this proposal are disproportionately immigrants and people of color who rely on this work to put food on the table,” said Carmen Blyden, community organizer for the Boston Cyclists Union.
In the past, companies like Grubhub and DoorDash have told WBZ-TV that safety is a top priority, both for drivers and pedestrians, and that banning mopeds could potentially cause price increases for customers.
Delivery driver says ban “would be terrible for me”
Christian Solis has delivered for GrubHub for one year, as a second income. He works six hours a day for the company, seven days a week.
Solis said he uses the additional income to support his wife, one-year-old, and newborn twins at home in West Roxbury.
“So I work like 12 hours daily. This is my second job,” he said, adding that a ban on scooters “would be terrible for me.”
Scooters cost around $1,200, much cheaper than many cars, drivers told WBZ-TV.
City council ultimately did not take any action on the proposal at its meeting on Tuesday, and there is no vote scheduled at this time.
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