2021-11-30 00:00:00 - Joint Committee on Transportation
2021-11-30 00:00:00 - Joint Committee on Transportation
SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
I'm0 Bill Straus the house co chair of the Transportation Committee. Uh the Senate vice chair john Keenan from Quincy will be along shortly but we're going to get going now uh based on the list. So let me just say a few things. Uh I want to thank everybody for uh tuning in today. Looking over the screen, I see everyone's pretty experienced and has their microphones muted so we appreciate that. And if you could continue to leave them muted until uh you speak, I'll be presiding on behalf of the joint committee today. I did want to acknowledge the House members, I've seen who are here. I haven't seen any senators um but they'll be acknowledged as they come in in no particular order but as I've noticed the names, the vice chair on the house side marcos Devers is here,65 he has given us the wave uh Good afternoon paul, Tucker from Salem is here uh steve Howitt from Swansea slash Rhode island suburbs is here. Uh Representative Brady Mom from Lowell is here Representative sally Kerans is here from danvers representative norm Orrall from Lakeville is here. Representative whips and I apologize, I don't know the town but I know you've got a lot of them in your district from the western part of the state. She is here and I see Representative Nathalie Blais is here who also has testimony that's been pre filed with with the committee uh that said as everyone should have seen on their screens. Uh the hearing is being recorded remaining, remaining here is deemed consent to having yourself recorded today visually and audio uh, by sound. Uh so we have a hearing list uh, for those of you experienced, we also as a courtesy, will recognize members of the legislature who have indicated a desire to testify. Uh and I will be calling on representative Driscoll Uh and my understanding is senator keenan is now uh signed on. Uh and so uh, unless the senator has any opening thoughts, uh I will turn the floor over to Representative Driscoll
rep.
[REP DRISCOLL:] [HB3445] Thank you. Chair uh Chair Straus chair keenan and members of the committee. Um, I'm here regarding uh Bill 3445 classification of auto cycles. So this is a mostly refile from last session. Some changes were made in process and didn't get quite across the finish line by the end of session. So back again and I'll submit written testimony with greater detail. But basically for members of new members of the committee, an auto cycle is defined as a vehicle with three wheels on the ground, has a steering wheel, um, does not require the operator or passenger to straddle or sit astride. And basically the biggest difference here is that this is essentially a car, four wheeled car except it has three wheels, that that's the biggest difference. This with created classification.
Um, what is being called auto cycle right now, if you were to try and purchase one of these, you would need to get a motorcycle driver's license and it just doesn't really fit again, there's a steering wheel um their seatbelts and it has three wheels instead of two wheels. Uh And this basically creates some language for the general law to create a classification of vehicle that would be more more fitting toward a regular class A driver's license. And so that's uh that's what we're after and again appreciate the committee's consideration.
[REP STRAUS:] Uh thank you. Let me make sure here. Thank you rep. Uh and as you indicated we took some action last session. This is slightly different. So the hearing today is really to capture anybody who had thoughts based on some of these technical differences in these vehicles.
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Are there any questions from members of the committee?
I'm not hearing any I'm not seeing any so rep it's great to see you. Hopefully you don't have to wear your tie too much longer today and uh we thank you for your attendance. I did want to and we'll move on. Thank you. I did want to extend as a courtesy. I did indicate that replay you had pre filed320 testimony. Did you want to add any words in the hearing? If not we'll continue with the hearing list but it's up to327 you if you wanted to speak now with regard to that legislation.
[REP BLAIS:] I appreciate the offer. Mr chair. I will just let my written testimony stand.
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Very good, very good. Um Next on the sign up for witnesses. We have David Solomon from E. V. T. S. Mr Solomon I think I saw you here earlier on the list. The floor is yours. If you'd like to address the committee,
[DAVID SOLOMONT (EVTS):] [SB2360] [HB3543] I would thank you. Chair Straus Vice chair. Keenan Vice chair. Devers Members of the committee as chair noted, my365 name is David Solomon, time Chairman and ceo of E. V. Transportation Services. I'm here today to speak in support of bill 3543 House bill and Senate Bill 2360 an act relative to other cycles. As drafted the Legislature as drafted, the legislation makes common sense, clarifications to the general law that will388 encourage positive environmental change and facilitate continued innovation in the commonwealth. This legislation allowed this legislation allows drivers with class T licensed to operate other cycles throughout the commonwealth and other cycle is defined by the bill is a406 three wheel motor vehicle.
It's not require the operator straddle or sit astride the wheels like you would on a motorcycle, enclosed cabin. All those cycles are basically smaller electric cars. They have doors, seat seat belts,419 steering wheels, and all other vehicular controls. Anyone with the driver's license is familiar with no special skill or advanced training is needed to safely drive these vehicles. My company, E. V. T. S manufacturers, the firefly Street Legal Highway capable all electric, lightweight commercial utility vehicle with a payload capacity of 1100 lb. Our vehicle can be configured for an operator and the passengers is structurally comparable to a small car and is generally deployed for commercial utility or emergency operations. These vehicles can be utilized on college campuses as well as city streets to perform municipal parking enforcement, street sweeping or in the private sector delivery services, security and property maintenance.
The legislation sets a state important safety standards to govern auto cycle use, which is critical for any vehicle that being said. I strongly support section B1 exempting operators from helmet requirements for enclosed caps for vehicles with a steel enclosed cab such as firefly. The use of the helmet is not necessary. The operator is protected in the same way as an automobile. Clarifying definition of another cycle. Bring coherent to the market and ensure the highest standards for public safety. I appreciate your consideration of this important matter and respectfully request That the committee give a favorable report for House Bill 3543 And Senate Bill 2360.
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Okay.
Yeah. Yeah. The
Okay, you're muted.
I think I've got it now. Thank you very much. Thank you for that. Are there any questions from members of the committee and while I'm waiting to hear on that, I see Representative Sabadosa has joined us and I do think I saw Senator Rush was also listed. Welcome to those committee members. Any questions for Mr Salamat. Mhm. Mhm.
If not, thank you again for taking the time out to offer your testimony today. Mr Salmond. Committee give a favorable report for House Bill 35 23 Senate bill 23 60
I don't know where the recycling is coming from. I don't think it's me. But uh next to testify would matt McKenna
Are you here Mr McKenna
We'll check back later. Uh Now next on the list is Sean Mahoney
Mr Mahoney There you are the floor. The floor is yours. If you a mute your mic, welcome to598 those committee members have any questions Mr Salma Okay,
[SHAWN MAHONEY:] hi, my name is Sean Mahoney and I am here because I own microcars which are three wheeled vehicles manufactured Probably the golden613 age of transportation of the 50s. They are typically made in Europe. They have three wheels steering wheel. But as I read this document, it would appear that I would have to start wearing a helmet if I was to, if this was to go into effect. And I am asking that we don't have that happen, I can show you an example of what it looks like but I feel that it's not your typical auto cycle, like the other gentleman was talking about. They have, as I said, they often have three wheels, one door that opens on the front or a cabin that opens from the side and so I want to make sure that those are exempted from this.
Mhm And further there was a there's a law that was passed by the National Highway Transportation safety group called the low volume manufacturers vehicle act and it allows up to 325 basically replicas to be built a year. Uh, they are subjected to the same safety requirements as the original vehicle was made. And I would like to make sure that those are included two. So for example, in a lot of these vehicles, like the one I have, you can't get part. So people often build a replica and again, I don't think that, you know, they were always designed as cars. They were registers cars at the time. So to wear a helmet, it just doesn't make sense. So that is what I would like to request.
[STRAUS:] Um, so noted. I think that's always one of the constant issues. Staffs noted that and we'll get into the language based on your testimony.
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There. Any questions from members of the committee.
[MAHONEY:] If you want to see what a picture of these, like I can show you a picture. I don't know729 if people have a conception what I'm talking about. If that would help. I'm happy to show you a picture. Mr chairman, thank you.
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Send it along to the committee as well. You have the ability to share your screen. Sure. That I'm a little rusty teams, but I can. So here we go. Can you see that?
[MAHONEY:] Yeah. Okay. So, okay, And an example of a low volume replica would be this car. So here's a low volume replica of a car that was originally made in the 50s. But again, it has some safety requirements uh, fulfilled. It has seatbelts that has head restraints because again, the people who drive these, I mean they want to be safe when they drive. So as they have built new ones, they have tried to incorporate some features, you know, they're not the, uh, you know, they were originally built as cars. So, so that's a thank you for hearing me on this.
[STRAUS:] Well, thank you. Again, the picture I think was, was very helpful to everybody, uh, frankly, uh, and I'm799 sure rep Howitt Oh, he has a question. He probably is looking to buy or build one of these himself. Uh,
[REP HOWITT:] so this is either a messerschmitt or an icy to, but it looks like a messerschmitt me,
[MAHNOEY:] the green one, but the other one, the red one was a high ankle, which is the car I have,
[HOWITT:] right And then you also have the morgan which has the two wheels in the front and the one wheel in the back. Yeah, so I, I guess my question is they were used as automobiles, um, many, many years ago and mostly in europe, as you have stated. And so what you're telling me right now, if you're, you were to register one of those cars that it would have to be as a motorcycle?
[MAHONEY:] No, my car is registered actually as a car. So, but again, if859 I read the proposed law, it has the steering wheel and has three wheels, so I would have to wear a helmet and install safety bills.
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Okay, very good, thank you.
[STRAUS:] Okay, I think that that really does help us clarify, uh, these, these uh, these kinds of vehicles, so thank you for taking the time uh, to testify.
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I did want to note that Senator Chandler has joined us. Uh, welcome to our colleague. Nice to see you. Uh,889 were there any other questions from members of the committee?
I don't see any. Uh, let me go back before going down the list. We earlier had I called on matt McKenna uh, still not. Okay. Uh, so next to testify would910 be Joel shelter on, I think I pronounce that correct. Are you here sir?
[JOEL SHELTROWN:] Yes sir. Mr chairman, I am here um, hoping that my computer doesn't run out of juice here. Got to plug it in any way. Thanks very much for the opportunity to testify today. Um, I'm a former state representative in Michigan turned out we have term limits there. So I understand the difficulty in trying to deal with these new innovative products that are coming out. I currently represent a company called the are Comodo which is a three wheel electric and then I also represent Elio Motors, which is a start up that isn't in production yet but is fully designed recently, the new platform of our comodo was, which is being manufactured in Oregon.960 Um, and as it has the following characteristics. His front wheel drive two wheels in front powered by electric batteries, space frame, roll cage, roof meeting FNV S S 2 15 excuse me to 16 a roof crush, which is what you're automobiles have to intimidate.
That's got five point safety restraint harnesses in it, which is basically like to seat belts that go across to hold you. It's got energy absorbing zones to mitigate injury from collisions and two passengers with a small foot997 print for parking because they are Kimoto has handlebars instead of a steering wheel. It doesn't currently meet the proposed definition of auto cycle. That being the case of motorcycle license and helmets would still be required for operation. However, the electric wheel, the electric three wheel front real design doesn't require balancing leaning into a curve shifting or clutching. It1021 doesn't have a tendency to fishtail on acceleration and pulls around curves,1025 doesn't push forward into curves like rural will drive motorcycles do the reason I had submitted amendments to the committee, the class C license, front wheel drive vehicles handle and operate much like most all passenger cars requiring something other than a class C license for operation requires, uh, provides no benefit to the public. The requirement is unnecessary burden to massachusetts residents.
We estimate that less than 8% of the licensed drivers would have the required motorcycle endorsement so most of them would have to get another license just to operate this vehicle as written. The legislation creates a barrier to sales and rentals to the ark moto. It creates a competitive disadvantage with other vehicles that would be classified as also auto cycles. Under the proposed bill. With the progress of autonomous vehicles, steering wheels1083 will eventually go the way of the buggy whip. Tesla model s is now using the steering yoke instead of a steering wheel. Our motto is currently testing an autonomous platform that uses a steering, doesn't use the steering wheel uses a bar.
It would be best to strike wheel and insert mechanism to modernize the statute. The next section that I needed to talk about was the requirement of protective headgear requirement of helmets for vehicles like the Arc amato is exceedingly dangerous. The Markey model has a five point safety restraint harness1120 and complete roll cage and rough to protect the occupants in a frontal collision. The torso is held against the seat by the restraints, but the head with the extra bulk and weight of the helmet, which is 3 to £4 can fly violently forward in a frontal collision, causing whiplash paralysis or death Even at speeds as slow as 30 mph. We are hoping you will consider amending your legislation with the legislation of the language that I've provided to the committee um, through uh, Senator Collins office. These changes will not provide a loophole where true motorcycles could be classified as auto cycles because the seat belt requirements.
The set aside set the stride seat, uh, partially or fully enclosed roll cage or roll hoops, none of which motorcycles have and that was how1175 I submitted the amendment. I've been fully engaged in the auto cycle issue for years and successfully provided legislators around the nation with proper auto cycle language representing our Kimoto and really motors florida maine michigan hawaii Arizona among some of the states have already made the, our climate change Georgia, Alabama, pennsylvania, north Carolina Missouri and others are in process. It should be noted that most, all states have placed auto cycle classification and statute. SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
I think we lost them. I'm afraid we may have lost you if you're able to come back your image. I think for everyone else has also is seeing what I'm seeing that the image froze. So um, uh, Mr Shelton. If you're able to sign back in, we'll take you up again. Uh, otherwise I'll move on to our next signed in witness and that would be JR burke on behalf of Polaris I think I saw you here. Are you here Mr burke?
[JR BURKE (POLARIS CO):] Yes, Chairman Straus Thank you. Jr Berkshire Um thanks, thanks chair. Thanks. Vice chair Keenan and members of the committee for taking a1264 moment to hear my testimony. Um, as you mentioned, my name is J. R. Burke. I'm the director of state government affairs for players. Uh, we produce the players slingshot. I also want to thank representative Driscoll and senator Collins uh, members who we've worked with for years on this legislation and it's good1285 to see everyone um you know, as it has been mentioned by represented Driscoll this, this legislation or1292 similar legislation has moved out of this committee favorably in prior sessions. Um this is taking up another bill, but it does have some unique features to the previous bills, but the primary purpose is the same and it's really to create a subcategory of what are currently under federal and state in the massachusetts general as defined as motorcycles and to establish um operator licensing requirements that are more consistent with1317 the rest of the country.
In fact, today, massachusetts and new york are the only remaining states um, that require a class M license for this type of product. And part of the reason why is since 2014 when Polaris introduced the Polaris slingshot, we work closely with the American Association of Motor Vehicle administrators um and they're working group to establish best practices for the, for the categorization and licensing requirements of this type of vehicle. And since that time, nearly, Well, well over 35 states had to update their laws in order to create what essentially this legislation would do. So as I mentioned, um and has been mentioned is that these products1368 are currently um certified under Nasa's1373 federal regulations as motorcycles. They are also currently defined under the general laws as motorcycles. Individuals are required to carry a class and license. This legislation would remove that obligation. One of the important factors of that request is that today massachusetts is nearly surrounded by other states who do not have that requirement. So as individuals who may travel into massachusetts um, in an auto cycle as it's defined and operator licensing is required under their state.
1405 They may not meet massachusetts current licensing obligations of carrying a class and license and they do so inadvertently. So we want to protect them against that and then we also don't want to have residents of the1418 commonwealth be required to meet a more strict standard, then surrounding states so that helps address a practical concern. The language also is very prescriptive on safety fact, safety features of the product and some of the requirements of occupants, something that Polaris is strongly in favour of, and frankly, I think the prescriptive elements of the safety features in this legislation actually go further than a number of other states and Polaris appreciates the sponsors and staff who have helped craft this legislation to do so. Um, it's essential that We also recognize that this not only helps consumers, but it helps small businesses that are already retailing these products and have1466 been in Massachusetts for the since 2014.
Um, so for instance, Polaris has worked with independently owned dealerships across the state, Um, one and revere another in Foxboro Timber and Mark Barry, um, who have been retailing these products for many years, but as a practical consideration when individuals walk into the dealership and are interested in purchasing an auto cycle. They're the first question that the dealer asks is do you have a Class M license? And if the answer is no, that becomes a significant barrier to retail for these small businesses that this legislation would address. And so we think it's also important understand that um, in terms of uh, some of the other concerns that other testifies have brought up, I've but spoken to mr Solomon um, and we fully support, um, there requests to ensure that their products can be used in the way that they are designed. There are other states as other test fires that brought up about the use1532 of helmets that do provide for an exclusion for helmets in a fully enclosed auto cycles.
So that's not breaking new ground just for the sake of other members can already think of Louisiana as a state that provides that sort of exception. Polaris is not interested in stifling innovation. In fact, we came to the legislature with the goal of promoting legislative or innovation and if that is the desire of other test fires were fully supportive of ensuring that everybody has a place um, under this legislation. So let me just close their, I'm certainly happy to answer any questions. I've got an extensive history working in well over 30 states on legislation related to auto cycles. Um, it's great to see every everyone again. I think I've had a chance to meet with nearly every member on the committee and I'm happy to answer any questions that may have come up since we've last both. Thank you.
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Thank1587 you. Mr Burke, appreciate that. Are there any questions from members of the committee?
Uh, was that a hand up rep Karen's? Yeah,
[REP KERANS:] it was. Thank you. Mr Chairman. Just clarifying, did you say massachusetts in new york are the only two states um, to have the special license requirement.
[BURKE:] Uh, Chair Straus represented. Kerans are Yes, that's that's true. Um, massachusetts in new york and the way that we get there is there's either been legislation that is specifically prescribed the type of license or it's been addressed through regulation in those states that have not yet passed legislation. So for1637 example, states like California Washington Nevada are examples of states that had had categories that encapsulated three wheel1645 motorcycles and through regulation, they were able to exclude operators of auto cycles from having to carry a class um, license. SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
Thanks. Okay, any other members of the committee with a question
seeing and hearing none.
[STRAUS:] Thank you. Mr Burke, you're likely to hear and continue that process of engaging with members and staff as we1673 sorted out this session on these types of vehicles.
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Thank you. I did see mr Shell tron um come back and he has his hand up, we wanted to recognize you. Uh, if you can a mute your mic. Mr Shell trine and I1690 think we've got the flavor of most of your testimony. But if you had some, some concluding remarks and welcome you again as a former legislative colleague in a sense from michigan. Are you here sir?
Thanks very much. No, I don't have any further comments. I think I got it all in. Um, so I just wanted to let you know that I was back online again and apologize for not taking care of the very basics plugging in. Okay, Thank you very much. All right.
We are there any questions from Mr Shelton about the vehicle and and his testimony? Uh, if not, we'll move on. Feel free to stay for the balance of the hearing. Thank you for your, your persistence and staying with the, the hearing at this point. Uh, move on in the sign up list to assess Megan. I think I saw you here. Yes. Uh, if you want to on mute the floor is yours.
[ASAF1755 MAGEN (WICKED GREEN TOURS):] [HB3451] Hi. Good1757 afternoon. Uh, thank you. Chair, thank you Members of the committee, I'm here to ask you to vote favourably on House bill. Uh 3451. Um, I am the ceo of Wicked Green Tours. Uh, we are a company has been trying to bring a new kind of green transportation mostly for tourism around the massachusetts. We actually registered the vehicle. Uh, we were the first in the country to build this vehicle and register it. Um, only to find out that the, there was no classification for this sort of plate. That's basically what we're asking. I hope I can share for a second.1798 Uh my screen with you and see if if you guys can see the picture that I'm showing. Yes this1807 is uh this is what the talk talk is. Um it's a three wheeled vehicle fully electric.
Um the vehicle is now D. O. T. Approved And is operational in 32 states across the country um doing things from transportation, tourism, food trucks, um all1831 sorts of utilization and right now right because of what happened with the pandemic, we believe that beyond our green angle and our uniqueness, we provide a sort of a new service for people who would like to have a tourism experience which is private, not on on big polluting buses. And this is um our basically our model, we have a lot of support over the years1856 with the city of boston. We've collaborated with uh with the Police Chief of the DP with all the departments. We just need uh you to add two words to the legislator and uh we can move in that. We have been very patient for the1870 last six years. Hopefully this time around we can get it done I appreciate and please vote favourably on 3451. Thank you.
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Thank you very much. Any questions for the witness.
If not we'll move on to the next to sign up probably on a similar topic. Yale Megan and I hope I got that name right. I apologize. You did. Thank you
know, we're just gonna
[YAEL MAGEN:] [HB3451] thank you chair. Thank you members. Um, I'm here to support um 3451. An act relative to low speed vehicles. We have been trying to get this law for several years as a sop just explained um the vehicle, the tuck tuck is a car that has been used in many countries tuck is a car that has been used in many countries around the world, in asia and south America and for the past about eight years it's also been used in europe as well as um in the United States. Um, the uniqueness about this new tuck tuck is that it's an electric truck stuck And of course it comes with all the advances that we have in technology and the environment. Um when we came to try and register as a tactic, we actually were successful back and I think it was 2000 and 14, 15 or 16. I'm sorry. It's been so long. Maybe even 2000 and 17. The army actually registered the tuck tuck. And then what happened was is we got a phone call from the director of the R. M. V. Saying sorry we made a mistake. And the problem was is that there was no definition under um um ngl chapter 90 section one.
There was no definition that could meet this specific this specific vehicle. In fact one of the first to ever get an e license1989 plate. I think it was in 2000 and 17 and they even let us um1993 to the numbers of that plate. It was, it was so new. And so when I talked back then to the director of the R. M. V. We kind of went through all the definitions of the different types of of of of vehicles and and things like that in in the chapter. And we went to the definition of vehicle it doesn't fit because it's not an Oto, it doesn't have four wheels, it cannot be an electric vehicle because of the same thing. It does not have four wheels. It cannot be a limited use motorcycle because that requires a minimum of 30 MPH. Our vehicle only has 25 MPH and I'll talk about that in a few minutes as well. It cannot be under a regular motorcycle because that requires a speed of minimum of 40 MPH and it cannot and it is not a moped because a moment as it was written back in the day is basically something that has a cylinder capacity.
Now we're cylinder capacity is a component that is no longer in an electric engine. And so basically what we need to do and it cannot be under a low speed vehicle because a low speed vehicle. The definition is, it's a four wheeled motor vehicle. And so after extensive hours in conversations with the R and B. The r and B actually recommended us. The comment, try and amend the law specifically for the low speed vehicles to change it from a four wheeled motor vehicle to a three or four motor vehicle because they felt that it was, it will be best to put under under low speed vehicle. In fact, when we talked about um op ed, he looked at me and said, people will think that I'm crazy if I define it as a mop because as2096 you saw, that is not, that is not a and so basically, what we're really trying to ask what to do now is to take a lot that is just no longer relevant, you know, with technology, with electric engineering, with e vehicles, our laws need to change and they need to come to what we have right now with these new vehicles that everybody our manufacturing.
Um, this, this tough, tough, like I said, only goes to 2025 mph now. Again when we try to do it last time several years2131 ago, people said, well 25 MPH might cause congestion because some um, some towns and cities have a speed limit of 30 MPH. Well, that also has changed as you know, and since 2000 and 17, many cities and many towns and specifically, and the towns and the cities that we wish to be involved such as boston and Salem and The tourism city, they have in fact enacted that they reduced the miles per limit and the speed the speed limit from 30 mph to 25 mph and in fact that some towns even reduced it further to 20 mph specifically and congested businesses locations. So this vehicle now really has no restrictions.
Um and it will not cause any any type of congestion. In fact it is so as you saw the pictures it is so swift and so small that I remember when the people from the R. M. V. And the D. O. T. Came to um came to inspect it and it you know it passed with flying colors under the D. O. T.2194 There's their seatbelts, there's harnesses, you see these vehicles everywhere. Um People are just waiting for the law to change. You know when they2201 were extremely impressed by all all the safety issues but when they saw they said wow it is so slim. It is so slim. And so somebody said that that means that if something happens and you know it gets stuck or you know email functions you can just take it to the side of the road and park it there2219 and like a regular parking spot so it's not big a wide as you know as a bus or a duck boat or any of those things. Exactly very very very slim very swift and also the fact that it is very slim it actually helps especially in our boston, you know boston narrow streets that some vehicles just can't go through it.
And so this you know this vehicle will really help um um you know help with the congestion as well as help of course reduce our carbon footprint. I mean that's exactly what we're trying to do. You know we do have a plan by 2030 in the boston city massachusetts as well and everybody by 2030 2050 you know we'll have more electric vehicles um in now States and in our towns. Um and I just wanna I'm on your municipality attorney. So I worked a lot with the Chiefs of Police and with engineers and transportation people and again congestion and2278 whenever you know show them this vehicle um they kind of sale. Why isn't it and why isn't it in my town because also you have it can fit seven up to seven people. You can it can be for transportation, it can be for tourism. It is very um you know eco friendly and now as well with covid, I mean it's it's also an open vehicle. You can have a close it up or you can you can also open it up.
So it's extremely2300 um um covid friendly2302 um in that respect and like I said, I mean everybody, I mean we talked to the Hackney division, the boston boston, the chief of Police provincetown. Um the R. M. V. And it's not that people don't want this vehicle in the state. We just don't have2320 a definition to bring this vehicle in the state and other states. Do you have them in colorado? We have them in a plan. You have them in other, several states in America again, since last2329 time it really developed because we were really one of the first ones to bring it onto the United States in massachusetts was the first state to ever register it. Unfortunately they took the registration away because there was no place for us to be registered under. So I would really, um, I just want to urge you to support this this law and just bring Massachusetts into the 20 first century with electric vehicles. Thank you.
[STRAUS:] Thank you very much. I suppose there's any number of places Massachusetts could be joining the 21st century and this will go on that list. Are there any questions from members of the, from members of the committee?
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If not, thank you very much. I recall the testimony from last session quite well with this this vehicle in particular. So thank you And we'll move on with the witnesses. I'm showing five more witnesses. Just so everyone is aware. Uh, and next would be Samuel men linger are you here? Yes, I am okay. The floor is yours.
[SAMUEL MENDLINGER:] [HB3451] Yeah, I've been asked to, uh, talk about and support the bill 3451 specifically about the talk talks, I'm a professor emeritus at boston University where I was the director of the economic development and tourism management program where I was responsible for developing an international programme on tourism development. Uh, and as such, I worked in about almost 20 countries and one of the things I saw in a number of countries where these talk talks which were used for tourism and basic transportation and whenever I saw her for tourism, I realized that the tourists really liked the experience they got in a tuck tuck. It's different than riding around in a bus. It's different than even riding around2451 in an enclosed taxicab. They enjoyed it. And I had also, we after seeing that realized that it could be very good for massachusetts And I think it's very good for2464 Massachusetts for 2, 3 reasons.
First of all for the tourism. As I said, tourists like it. And secondly it presents massachusetts again with the symbol of something which is a state which is innovative, entrepreneurial, which is something which is important for massachusetts because much of our reputation today is in those areas. After all, we're high tech biotech centers and education. So I would like to say is important Boston every year gets close to 20 million tourists of which two million are international tourists. Many of these people who are coming from other countries either do not speak english very well well, they don't speak it at all. Hence many of the tourist opportunities they have here escapes them. They don't have the ability to understand what we have.2523 And tuck tucks can do this. Duck talks can help them For for my personal viewpoint I see eight advantages for Tuck Tucks For Massachusetts, for Boston and for the tourism industry, one dr Dukes provide a personal tour in an individual experience and2543 this is important tourists, one experiences sitting on a bus is not the same as being with your own family, riding around an open vehicle where we have more of a personal experience with what you are seeing and experiencing.
Secondly, the tourists can help uh determine or compose the tour that they wish to take. If you're on a fixed bus, you cannot do this. If you're on the talk talk, you can arrange beforehand what you wish to see what you wish to experience what you wish to smell2581 what you wish to feel. And this is a great advantage in today's modern tourism industry. Third, it provides a better platform for knowledge acquisition in2593 self growth. Many tourists today what to have both knowledge and they want to have self growth. They want to feel that they're going on a vacation and coming back different then when they left and getting the tuck tuck, which which I say is a much personal experience will allow that to happen. It also allows allows for tourists to have their tour and the language that they want. That is that we can uh device, we could have drivers for specific language is much easier in the talk talk than anywhere else because it's economically feasible to have a driver for a few languages for for a few people in a single language and trying to fill an entire bus talk talks can go into areas where existing buses or duck boats cannot go into.
Which is also important. For example, in the north end uh, buses are not allowed anymore. Said the much more environmentally friendly being electric being small, they're not using up uh, the amount of, of power that larger vehicles would do and they're not polluting the environment. Uh, and again, it enhances massachusetts, uh, uh, reputation for innovation in many areas and has also been mentioned earlier in terms of covid, I think many2685 people would prefer riding in an open vehicle like this then in a closed vehicle, like a taxpayer bus where they do not know who was on with them or who was there beforehand. So in all these areas, I think talk talks have a tremendous advantage and I support bill 3451. Thank you.
SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
Thank you. Thank you for the testimony with regard to it. It's in its value. Are there any questions uh, for the witness from members of the committee.
If not, thank you again, Professor Man linger for taking the time to be with us today.
Next on the hearing list is jean parody.
I think I saw her earlier.
We'll come back if we need to. Uh, oh, you're there. Okay, well, thank you for coming. And the, the floor is yours.
[JEAN PARADIS:] [SB2318] Uh, thank you. Um, I am uh moving on to a different bill. I'm here supporting bill 2318 for um, the uh, renaming of a portion of, of route 495 in honor of Susannah North martin. Um, I am 1/9 great granddaughter, Susannah North martin. And I'm here with at least one other person Uh, is on the list to, to provide testimony about that. Um, that is also a descendent and we represent descendants group that currently has approximately 400 members. Um, and she was killed, uh, hanged for witchcraft In 1692 and a portion of the Route 495 and aimsBury runs through her farm. And so, um, in consideration of all the injustices, including capital punishment that she endured um, at that time and her the place she has in the history of massachusetts, we would like to request that naming. And um, I would um, I encourage you to um, call on a Rogers Cranie uh, if he's here and he will have more extensive testimony about this. Thank you.
[STRAUS:] Yeah, thank you very much. And I did want to explain to uh, some of the other witnesses in the public how we went from uh, tuck tucks to a subject like this within the transportation committee. We have jurisdiction over uh, naming of, of certain roads as committee members know. Uh, and from time to time when these bills come up as a courtesy uh, to the sponsors. And we did get a request from the sponsor2878 in this case so that you know that we like to get these as we call them naming bills heard as quickly as we can so that the bill doesn't necessarily fit within the vehicle classifications we were doing, but that's why it's, it's on today. Thank you for the history and and its relationship to um, a past of massachusetts.
SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
Are there any questions from members of the2908 committee? From members of the committee?
If not, I will take the witnesses suggestion so we can have some connection here in the testimony and call on roger Criminy if you're here
and just a mute your microphone and the floor. I'm trying
No, I'm reading,
we can hear you.
I can't on mute some reason. No, we know we hear you. Oh you do2950 okay good.
[ROGER KRINEY:] [SB2318] All right, ladies and gentlemen, my name is Roger Criminy and I'm testifying today regarding Senate bill 2318 introduced by uh, the honourable senator Diana dizoglio, calling for the dedication of a portion of interstate 495 through Aimsbury massachusetts in honor of accused and executed Salem, which susanna North martin. The portion of the2976 highway we support naming the Susannah north martin highway passes through the property that Susannah and her husband George martin Owned from 1660 through at least May for 1692. My ancestral roots run rather deep through Essex county massachusetts. I am also a 9th grade grandson of Suzanne and George Martin. Another reason that I'm addressing you is that one other descendant, Christine Wilson and I were the originators of the concept of naming the interstate after our ancestor. I wish I had more time to provide you with a bit of Susannah North martin's history.
However, we are limited in our time for testimony. Susannah was highly intelligent, although small in stature, Became a strong willed matron of her land after her husband's passing in 1686. On May one, she was arrested on the strength of a warrant out of the court from Salem on charges that she had performed witchcraft on several young people. She didn't know from Salem Village. Susannah Martin never returned to her property. After initial examination before the court, she verbally sparred with the Magistrates with equal or superior intellect, which obviously didn't win any favors with the court. She was ordered incarcerated and held her triumph After being imprisoned for two months. Susannah Martin was tried and convicted of Witchcraft and executed on July 19 1692. Strong women did not fare well in 1692. And daily we're reminded that there are still formidable barriers in 2021.
On June 6, 2020, I wrote the3075 Professor Emerson baker of Salem State University. The preeminent expert on the witch trials regarding his thoughts on this proposal. Dr baker immediately responded and I'll quote, hi Roger, thank you for your kind words and for letting me know about this wonderful effort. One I fully support. Dr baker went on3095 to add, we don't know of any specific mention of Susannah Martin's remains or how they were treated after execution. However, we can assume that they were as with others removed under cover of darkness from gallows hill and brought home for a quiet rebirth. I know traditions and the nurse, Jacobs and Procter families that this3115 happened as I say. I suspect your family did like ones end quote, It's certainly possible that whatever remained of our great grandmother, Susanna's body may have been disinterred and destroyed by the construction of interstate 4 95 or possibly still lies near or beneath. It certainly unmarked, but not un remembered. It should go without saying.
But Susannah Martin was forced from her property, unjustly imprisoned, unjustly tried, convicted and executed unjustly. It was because of her and the other 23 people that perished either by hand of the courts executioner or by dying in prison awaiting trial. That we have now on the fairest court systems in the world. Certain safeguards such as the presumption of innocence. The concept of legal representation, constitutional assurances regarding articulable, reasonable suspicion and probable cause for arrest, search and seizure guidelines regarding the sequestration of witnesses and not the least of which the separation of church and state now exist. They were built in the horror of those trials, which led to the deaths of all those innocent people and I stress innocent for they were all innocent. Our diminutive Susannah Martin finally stands tall in her ultimate sacrifice and her place in the history of our country and should be recognized as a symbol of human strength and particularly the strength of a tiny but powerful woman and held as a symbol for the betterment of us all. Thank you our deepest regard for your service to the state of massachusetts in the United States of America. SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
Thank you very much really to both of you as descendants to uh, bring the legacy to our attention to any
questions from members of the committee.
If not, I want to thank you again for your testimony on on this bill and I'll return to the witness list. We have two individuals left. I would now call on cassandra Griffin.
Hello. Hi floor is yours. Thank you.
[KASANDRA GRIFFFIN (FORTH MOBILITY):] Um, uh, witchcraft is a little bit of a hard act to follow. Um, so please forgive me3254 for going back to talking about vehicle registration categories. Um, honourable chair and members of the committee. Thank you for the opportunity to testify. My name is cassandra Griffin and I'm here on behalf of Fourth, which is a nonprofit association working to advance electric, smart and shared mobility across the United States and internationally. Fourth has over 200 members ranging from Ford Motor Company3280 to Santa Fe New Mexico City um uh and charging infrastructure. Government agencies were working with a lot of partners to try and accelerate the transition to a low-carbon transportation system. So we enthusiastically support the effort to define auto cycles in massachusetts state law as you've said joined in most of the rest of the states in that. But we would like to see a couple amendments. We haven't been that this as long as a couple of the other folks who have already testified, but we believe that vehicle electrification is critical and we believe3314 that auto cycles are an important part of the solution.
Um, I know that Massachusetts has some ambitious climate change, uh, emissions reductions goals, including it into net zero by 2050 and if you're going to achieve that, you're going to need to to make radical changes in transportation system, um, electrify pretty much everything and also decrease the size of the vehicles that people are using to move themselves or one or two people around at a time. So bicycles scooters, public transportation can all be part of that. Auto cycles are also a great part of the solution to, to3351 use a person sized vehicle instead of a tank sized vehicle to move a person short distances commute to work and what not. Um, auto cycles can help drivers reduce their transportation footprint while providing the familiarity and convenience of a personal motorised vehicle. So they can't, they can't represent replace the suburban for for getting your kids to the whole soccer team to soccer practice, but they are a great solution for a lot of people's shorter trips um and personal commuting trips. Um I also want to agree with the professor about the benefits to tourism of these types of vehicles, not just the talk talks, but the the single operator, three wheeled vehicles um3395 that one or two people can be excellent for tourism.
We're seeing that in some west coast cities there's an operator called go car in san Francisco and san Diego and in some european cities and people love to rent a three wheeled vehicle to run around town um in massachusetts that3413 could be for going to a place that can also be fleet peeping getting out of town, but they're really fun for people3421 to use in the tourists and tourism industry. So we're excited to see massachusetts moving forward. But we request to important amendments um to either of the pairs of auto cycle bills to support innovation and vehicle design to reduce neck injuries and to support massachusetts, greenhouse gas emissions reductions, targets. So thing number one Mr sheltering mentioned this also, most states are moving away from specifying steering wheels in the uh a lot of cycle as the transportation sector evolves and tries to reduce the weight um and rearrange the configuration of vehicles.
There are many technology options that don't require a steering wheel. There are people using handlebars, there are people using yolks, there are people experimenting with the possibility of using joysticks and none of that is inherently less safe or more difficult to operate than a steering wheel. So we would request that in support of um,3483 higher efficiency vehicles and more innovation in the transportation sector that3487 you replace a steering wheel with steering mechanism. Um, the other requests that we would make is that you removed the helmet requirement for either all auto cycle users or at least auto cycle users in vehicles with enclosures that meet the federal roof crush standards. Um, one of the parents of bills currently specifies that enclosed vehicles do not need to wear helmets, operators of enclosed vehicles don't need to wear helmets and we would encourage you to3518 revise that to specify meeting the federal roof crush standards because otherwise there is a vague definition of enclosure and you have officers on the side of the road trying to interpret what counts is enclosed when there is no such standard for a convertible car.
So we would, we would request that you either omit the helmet requirements entirely or high. The helmet requirements exemption to the federal uh, it's two CFR 49 to 16 a roof crash standards and I refer to that also in my written testimony that will make sure that you have. Um, but we would, we would like to see people not required to wear helmets3562 and seatbelts at the same time because there is the risk of neck injury there. Um, and if you're concerned about the increased risk from rolling,3571 then at least make the exemption for vehicles that have the a roll cage or a full enclosure of some sort. So thank you for your consideration. I do hope that you will move these bills forward with the proposed amendments so that auto cycles can be part of the solution for low emission mobility. And thank you.
SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
Thank you very much. Uh, his griffin town just to God's,
somebody's got3602 a microphone open the community uh, to
[STRAUS:] ]two quick thoughts. Um, uh, you gave us a3611 detailed list of suggestions you mentioned uh written testimony to follow. I encourage you please do that to3619 the committee with the specifics and as detailed to the language of the bills as bill or bills as as you say. And then secondly, we're late enough in the hearing where I think people have gotten the flavor gotten the flavor of the challenge that the committee faces in this subject area, which is every time we have one of these hearings, the technology has advanced. And so the trick for us is to come up with something that makes sense. And each time there is some further iteration and design not force people to come before this legislature anyway, so that's what we're wrestling with. We hope we can get it right this time and we'll make our best efforts.
SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
Any questions from members of the committee for the witness?
I don't see any and I don't hear any. So thank you
[STRAUS:] And please submit that testimony, we generally go a couple of weeks. It's nothing very formal. But in terms of the time period and if they say
[GRIFFIN:] one follow on sentence, I don't know if I said this already on the steering wheel. Um, most, most of the state's initially right in auto cycle legislation did include steering wheels in the definitions and most of the states are now taking that back out. So you would, you would be in good company if you don't include that in the first place because the states are going around and saying that steering wheels don't make vehicles safer or better. So let's support the innovation and look higher efficiency vehicles
SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
and as you say, say, safety is our Touchstone in this. So we'll be mindful. Uh, moving on the last name I have here, but we'll make a general call jennifer Adams. Uh, and I did want to note that senator Moran from the Cape has been hearing for quite a while now and I did3738 want to acknowledge as a member of the committee that she was here, jennifer Adams, are you here here?3745 Yes, thank you.
[JENNIFER ADAMS:] [SB2318] Good afternoon. Uh, my name is jennifer May Adams and I join you today from Scarborough Maine. I am an 11th great granddaughter of Susannah Martin And who was wrongly accused and executed for Witchcraft, 19 1692 in Salem. I come to you today in support of Senate bill 2318 asking for consideration to name the portion of interstate 4 95 that runs through present day Aylesbury where the martin homestead once stood after my ancestor, an independent woman of great faith and conviction. Susannah showcase incredible strength and courage in the face of ignorance and hysteria as stated on the stone marking the general location of her home at the end of North martin Road. Susannah was truly a martyr of superstition, Although nothing can ever right the wrongs that my 11th great grandmother endured. The simple act of erecting signage along interstate 495 will help preserve Susanna's story and honor her memory. While the haunting yet beautiful memorials in Salem provide reminders of how she died. The Susannah North martin, sorry, the Susannah North martin Highway in Amesbury will provide reminders of how she lived. Thank you for your time and your supportive consideration of this bill
[STRAUS:] Well and and thank you for your patience today as you heard uh two of your other closer, very distant cousins, I don't know have also testified and uh we will be taking that up within the committee, I'm sure. Are there any questions from members of the committee for Miss Adams. SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
I don't see any. I want to thank you again for taking time out and joining us today in massachusetts. Are there any people? I know there were a couple I called who weren't here at the time. Is there anyone else wishing to testify with regard3866 to the bills that were noticed uh, for hearing today?
If not hearing these bills was our purpose3880 today and uh, gladly entertain a motion to adjourn. Uh, and a second. I know3888 I heard both. Uh, nothing else said thank you to the members of the committee and the public and for your testimony. Great to see everybody. Hope you had a great holiday last week. Thank you. Thank you Mr Chair.
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