It’s chaos on Maine roads. Here’s one way to make them safer right now. | Column
Maine’s streets are seeing a surge in small, electric vehicles this summer, and the mix of e‑bikes, e‑motocycles, scooters and Segways is creating a more complex traffic environment. Observers report cars running red lights, cyclists riding on the wrong side of the road and personal transporters weaving on sidewalks. In Waterville, a rider on an e‑bike was filmed navigating Main Street amid automobiles, while a commuter in Portland described a kick scooter appearing in the bike lane and a pedestrian stepping into the middle of the road with a crate and a cardboard sign.
The rise in micromobility comes at a time when long‑standing summer challenges — tourist congestion and road‑work delays — persist, and when frustrations over traffic rules have grown more pronounced. State officials note that even if every rider and driver followed the law, the sheer variety of vehicles would still produce a chaotic scene. Added distractions — cellphone use, sudden speed changes and lane weaving — have heightened the risk.
Safety data underscore the concern. Maine recorded its deadliest year on record for pedestrians and cyclists in 2024, with 28 fatalities. Crashes involving e‑bikes and e‑motocycles have climbed sharply, jumping from 10 incidents in 2024 to 35 in 2025. Preliminary figures from the Maine Department of Transportation suggest the current year is on pace to surpass last year’s total.
In response, some municipalities have begun to act. Portland, which logged five traffic deaths last year, saw community groups call for urgent safety reforms at a particular intersection where a runner was killed. City officials acknowledge that revising speed limits and rebuilding infrastructure will take time, but they point to immediate steps that drivers and riders can take.
A recent enforcement blitz in Portland illustrates the scale of the problem. On a single Monday this month, police issued 64 citations for cellphone use, failure to stop or yield and related violations during an intensified traffic‑safety operation. The columnist who reported the scene said he doubted most of those cited were deliberately flouting the law; instead, many appeared to be acting absent‑mindedly and would be horrified if their inattention caused injury.
Not all interactions on the road are negative. Instances of drivers pausing for pedestrians not at a crosswalk, giving cyclists extra space, or moving aside to let another vehicle merge are still observed, often accompanied by a friendly wave and a sense of mutual relief.
Advocates stress that many Mainers are turning to e‑bikes and similar devices for their lower cost and reduced environmental impact. However, the frequent disregard for traffic rules — rules that, for most of these devices, mirror those for bicycles — has soured early impressions. Officials say that while stricter laws and robust enforcement are necessary for repeat violators, a large share of road users would improve their behavior if they recognized the risks before facing a ticket or worse.
The columnist offered a series of self‑reflection questions that have resonated with readers: Have you ever chosen a playlist or adjusted the car’s temperature over paying attention to the road? Have you ever acted out frustration toward another vehicle or rushed through a maneuver that later seemed dangerous? Answering yes to those prompts, he said, is a first step toward safer streets for everyone.
