The velocity restrict for e-bikes and pedal-assist bicycles will dip to fifteen mph later this month — however questions stay on simply how, or if, town really plans to implement it.
The velocity restriction will take impact Oct. 24, months after Mayor Eric Adams cited New Yorkers’ security considerations whereas saying a plan to gradual e-bikes and scooters.
“I’ve heard, time and again, from New Yorkers about how their security — and the protection of their kids — has been put in danger because of dashing e-bikes and e-scooters, and at present, our administration is saying sufficient is sufficient,” Adams mentioned on the time.
A day after saying the obligatory velocity restrict, First Deputy Mayor Randy Mastro ordered Lyft — which owns and operates Citi Bike — to right away cap the velocity of its fleet of pedal-assist bikes at 15 mph.
The change is about to particularly affect the legions of supply staff zipping by metropolis streets on e-bikes.
Ibrahim Diallo, a 28-year-old supply bicycle owner who picks up work on Door Sprint and Uber Eats, was ready for a supply in Instances Sq. on Wednesday when he first discovered in regards to the upcoming velocity restrict change.
Diallo mentioned he at all times stays south of the brand new mark.
“If the highway is nice, I am going 12,” he mentioned, exhibiting the speedometer on his e-bike. “If it’s not, I am going a lot slower.”
“I concentrate when there’s extra folks on the highway, I respect the lights.”
One other supply employee who was awaiting his subsequent dispatch in Decrease Manhattan added that velocity is central to the job, including that his e-bike’s prime velocity is 25 mph.
“We’re at all times on the run so we are able to make the cash,” mentioned the person, who goes solely by Abdiascoy. “However we’ve got to respect the principles set by town — if not, that will be unhealthy for us.”
Lyft had already capped its e-bikes at 18 mph after negotiations with the Adams administration final yr.
“Now we have requested that you just instantly implement this new 15 mph velocity restrict for Citi Bike e-bikes, and also you declined to take action,” Mastro mentioned in a letter despatched to Lyft. “We subsequently have decided that an emergency risk to life and property exists.”
The velocity restrict is a technique authorities officers have regarded to tamp down on dashing e-bikes, together with these used primarily by supply cyclists.
A invoice from Metropolis Councilmember Robert Holden (D-Queens) that will require the bikes to be registered and have license plates was named for Priscilla Loke, a pedestrian who was fatally injured after being hit by an e-bike rider in Chinatown in September 2023.
In September, the Council additionally proposed a ban on the sale of e-bikes that go over 25 mph. Each payments are nonetheless pending within the Metropolis Council.
Which autos are affected by the brand new velocity restrict?
The velocity restrict is for anybody working e-bikes, electrical scooters or pedal-assist business bikes, in accordance with the Division of Transportation’s adopted rule — which obtained greater than 800 feedback throughout its public course of.
Notably, the brand new rule doesn’t apply to conventional bicycles, which may nonetheless transfer as much as 15 mph. Why? The DOT cited the burden of a daily bicycle in comparison with e-bikes.
“Human-powered gadgets wouldn’t be topic to this decrease velocity restrict as a result of they’re lighter gadgets in comparison with e-devices, that are heavier because of their motor and battery,” the company wrote in its adopted rule.
Critics of the change have mentioned a lowered velocity restrict might harm the largely immigrant ranks of supply staff. The DOT continued to quote the protection danger, saying “e-bikes touring at excessive speeds current a severe hazard to public security.”
As extra folks have come to make use of e-bikes in recent times, the variety of accidents brought on by and suffered by e-bike riders within the metropolis has been rising. However it is extremely low when in comparison with the bigger pool of traffic-related accidents. In response to Streetsblog, drivers of vehicles and vehicles have been answerable for 99.96% of pedestrian accidents reported to the NYPD within the first three months of 2025.
Advocates against the brand new velocity restrict say enforcement simply exposes undocumented staff to regulation enforcement.
“Approaching the heels of the NYPD’s coverage to criminalize e-bike infractions, it fingers police much more discretion to discriminate in opposition to deliveristas, who will undoubtedly be its major targets,” Ligia Guallpa, government director of the Staff Justice Mission, mentioned in a press release. “As a substitute of holding app firms accountable for unsafe practices and staff’ rights, the mayor has shifted the burden of road security solely onto susceptible immigrant staff.”
Others mentioned the velocity restrict is difficult to implement and are urgent for different adjustments, particularly these outlined in Priscilla’s Legislation, to make the roads safer.
“This can be a unhealthy joke. At age 88 I’d not survive being hit by a motorcycle going 2 mph not to mention 15,” Yvonne Groseil wrote in a public remark in response to the brand new rule. “We want Priscilla’s Legislation to get seen licenses on these autos.”
Daniel McNickle mentioned that using an electrical cargo bike from his dwelling in Riverdale to his job as a science instructor on the Bronx Excessive Faculty of Science takes him quarter-hour. That’s down from his earlier 40-minute commute on foot.
“As a bicycle owner it’s at all times made me really feel most secure once I’m transferring the identical velocity as site visitors,” he mentioned, noting that he doesn’t go a lot quicker than 15 mph, aware of the pending restrict. “Automobiles whizzing by is harmful. Anytime there’s a velocity distinction on the highway, that creates a chance for collision.”
He mentioned the larger situation is cyclists not obeying site visitors legal guidelines and town’s bike infrastructure, which wants enhancements.
He generally rides along with his children, ages 4 and seven, however mentioned these journeys include restrictions, too.
“I’d love to have the ability to go extra locations with them,” he mentioned. “However the routes that I can take are restricted due to security considerations.”
How will it’s enforced?
To this point, it’s unclear how the velocity restrict shall be enforced.
A spokesperson for the NYPD, who didn’t present their title, wrote in an electronic mail that the velocity enforcement shall be utilized “as a secondary violation once we witness different violations” for cyclists. Police can even add digital velocity indicators alongside 4 main bike lanes in Manhattan to discourage dashing, and officers and site visitors brokers shall be out with Division of Transportation employees to teach riders.
DOT didn’t reply to a number of emails searching for remark and knowledge.
Earlier this yr, the NYPD modified its enforcement coverage to provide e-bike cyclists prison summonses as an alternative of site visitors tickets for offenses that embrace working pink lights or using recklessly. This requires somebody to go to prison court docket as an alternative of site visitors court docket.
The shift is a part of broader quality-of-life enforcement from Adams and Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch. Nevertheless it’s not clear if future dashing infractions shall be addressed with prison summonses or simply tickets.
Jon Orcutt, director of advocacy for the non-profit Bike New York, mentioned he hasn’t seen something by way of schooling or enforcement for e-bike riders.
“The normal approach of imposing velocity limits is to place up indicators, and there’s to date none of that,” he informed THE CITY.
“And what would the indicators be? Would you have got an indication every now and then all through town saying ‘15 mph — simply e-bikes, keep in mind, not your different bikes.’”
