Rider’s E-bike May Have Been Used for Delivery Service During Copley Square, Boston Collision
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS (August 30, 2025) – A pedestrian was critically injured in a Boston e-bicycle accident in Oakley Square by Huntington Street and Dartmouth Street.
Suffolk County officials are saying that the collision took place in front of the Boston Public Library. A pedestrian was walking when they were hit by an e-bicycle.
A photo of the scene shows the bicycle equipped with some type of transportation bag on the back. It remains unclear if the bike was possibly being used for a delivery service.
Paramedics were called to the scene of the collision to help the pedestrian. They were transported to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries.
A full investigation by the Boston Police Department remains ongoing.
Liability for Boston E-Bicycle Accidents
Bicycles in Massachusetts have all the same rights and responsibilities as drivers. They must exercise due care to avoid colliding with any pedestrian. Pursuant to MGL c. 90, § 17 & § 17A, “No person operating a motor vehicle on any way shall run it at a rate of speed greater than is reasonable and proper, having regard to traffic and the use of the way and the safety of the public.” E-bicyclists should take the following actions to avoid collisions with pedestrians.
- Bicyclists should slow down in pedestrian areas, especially if they are traveling on shared-use paths.
- Bicyclists must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians crossing the street that are close enough to pose a hazard.
- Bicyclists should use an audible signal such as their horn or voice when they’re overtaking or passing a nearby pedestrian.
- Bicyclists should avoid weaving between pedestrians in areas that are crowded.
The vast majority of pedestrian accidents with bicycles are preventable. Part of the problem is that many e-bike riders drive along paths that are simply not meant for them. Over the past several years, these e-bikes have grown increasingly heavy and fast. Boston and other cities have often done a poor job at managing the sharp rise of micromobility devices.
Third-Party Liability for E-Bicycle Accidents
If a private business like a restaurant was using e-bikes for deliveries, they could be vicariously liable if their drivers are involved in collisions. As a general principle, employers in Massachusetts can be held vicariously liable for the wrongful actions of their employees. Companies like Uber can be held liable for e-bicycle collisions on the basis that the driver involved was negligently hired or retained.
- The driver may have been ineligible for a delivery service but still allowed to work.
- The driver may have had a history of complaints or close calls, but a delivery service may not have taken action.
- A delivery service may not have performed a thorough background check and hired someone with a history of causing accidents.
Unfortunately, tech companies like UberEats and Grubhub are unlikely to accept responsibility for any collision that their drivers are involved in. It is more likely that they will blame the victim for any collision. As e-bikes continue to grow in popularity, this has caused more and more dangerous interactions with pedestrians. It is important for victims to know that they do have legal rights. They are able to seek some measure of accountability through a civil claim.
Investigating Boston E-bicycle Collisions
DiBella Law extends our best wishes to the pedestrian injured in this collision. It is our sincere hope that they will be able to make a full recovery. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to the Boston Police Department.
Have you or someone that you care about been injured in a Boston e-bicycle collision? Our team of Boston pedestrian accident lawyers are here for you. We care deeply that accident victims are aware of their rights and that those rights are being protected. Whether you have legal questions or need any type of help, we are here to serve your needs. You can contact our office anytime for a risk-free case evaluation.