BCC Virtual Information Sessions on Early College Program

03:23PM / Friday, April 07, 2023Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass — High school students are invited to get a jump on their college careers by attending virtual information sessions on Berkshire Community College (BCC)'s Early College Program.

Free sessions will be offered on Tuesday, April 11 from 6:30-7:30 pm or on Tuesday, May 2 from 5:45-6:45 pm. To register, visit www.berkshirecc.edu/earlycollege. Registrants will be emailed a Zoom link. There will be time for questions at the conclusion of each session.

Early college, also known as dual enrollment, provides an opportunity for students to take courses at BCC while still in high school and earn college credit. Supported by BCC's dual enrollment grant, the Early College Program allows eligible Massachusetts high school students to take up to 15 credits. Tuition and fees are waived; students are responsible for the cost of books and supplies, and they must arrange their own transportation. Funding is limited and is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

"Dual enrollment is a great way to explore college classes and college life. Students can start with one course and build up to additional courses in a semester," said BCC Dual Enrollment Coach Tina Tartaglia, noting that there are both online and in-person classes designed to fit around a high school schedule. "Dual enrollment students have access to all resources, supports and events that any BCC student enjoys."

Participants can take a variety of courses ranging from English, science, math and history to art, humanities and computer science. Interested students may submit applications to the fall 2023 program beginning May 1, 2023.

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Pittsfield Subcommittee Considers E-Bike Safety

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
03:34PM / Wednesday, October 07, 2026

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Some city councilors want to explore ways to encourage safe e-bike use.

On Monday, the Ordinances and Rules Subcommittee discussed the request by Councilor At Large Kathy Amuso and Ward 3 Councilor Matthew Wrinn to increase enforcement of bicycle and e-bike use on Pittsfield streets, install signage in high-traffic areas, and launch an educational program for kids.

Amuso has received reports of kids riding motorized bikes at 15 to 20 mph on the sidewalk while people are trying to back out of their driveways, and she fears someone might get hurt.

She said that if they could start with some basics, such as riding with traffic in bike lanes and requiring operators under 16 to wear helmets, it would address most of the calls.

"Do I think we need to put 10 police on trying to find e-bikes throughout the city? I don't," she said. "But there are enough calls that I'm getting, and other councilors are getting, that we have to say, ‘OK, what can we do?’ And we have a lot of bike lanes in Pittsfield, and the e-bikes and all bikes should be in the bike lanes, not on the sidewalk."

The petition was tabled so that the Department of Public Works can study it and gather further information.

In Massachusetts, an e-bike with a top speed of 20 mph and a motor of 750 watts or less is classified as a traditional bicycle. State law defines two e-bike classes:

"Class 1 electric bicycle" is defined as having a motor of 750 watts or less that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling and ceases to assist when the bicycle reaches 20 mph.
"Class 2 electric bicycle" is defined as having a motor of 750 watts or less that may be used exclusively to propel the bicycle and is not capable of assisting when the bicycle reaches 20 mph.

Riders 16 years or younger must wear a helmet by law.

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