E-Bike and E-Scooter Law

Question: 

What Do Highway Officials Need to Know About E-Bike and E-Scooter Laws in New York State?

 

Answer: 

Last week’s article discussed the proposed “Safe SPEEDS Act” aimed at improving e-bike safety by requiring the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to define product categories, set labeling/age standards, and ban devices modifiable to exceed speed limits. It also discussed the existing confusion and misleading information between true e-bikes and much more powerful “e-motos.”

Now, here is a review of the classes of e-bikes and the applicable laws in New York State.

  • Class 1 e-bikes have an electric motor that provides assistance only when the operator is pedaling, and ceases to provide assistance beyond 20 mph.
  • Class 2 e-bikes have an electric motor that may be used exclusively to propel the bike up to 20 mph.
  • Class 3 e-bikes are, by law, for use only in New York City.

E-scooters must weigh less than 100 pounds and can be powered by an electric motor and/or human power and which has a maximum speed of no more than 20 mph. However, the speed limit for e-scooters in NY is 15 mph, not 20.

To be legal, the maximum wattage of an e-bike must be under 750 watts. All e-bikes and e-scooters in NYS must have a manufacturer’s label prominently affixed stating the wattage of the motor, maximum speed with electric assist, and, if an e-bike, whether it is a class 1, 2, or 3. Remember, a class 3 e-bike is only allowed in NYC.

The average bicyclist rides around 10-13 mph. Electric motors tend to accelerate and coast faster. Class 1 and 2 e-bikes can legally go up to 20 mph. E-bikes come with different wattages, levels of torque and power, and can feel different. E-assisted acceleration and high cruising speed require practice to be comfortable and in control enough to take the road. A significant number of e-bike and e-scooter crashes happen on the first or second ride.

Operators of e-bikes and e-scooters MUST be at least 16 years old. Helmets are required for 16- and 17-year-olds operating e-scooters and recommended for all riders of both e-scooters and e-bikes. E-scooter operators may NOT carry passengers.

Roads with speed limits more than 30 mph cannot be used by e-bikes or e-scooters, unless allowed by local law or ordinance. They also cannot be ridden on sidewalks unless allowed by local law or ordinance. For example, there are no such local laws in Franklin County. It is highly recommended to check specific city, town, or village ordinances for additional, localized restrictions. 

E-bike or e-scooter operators must ride in single file on roadways and cannot double up as traditional bicycles can. They must also obey all traffic laws applicable to all bicycle riders, such as riding on the right with traffic, stopping for stop signs and traffic signals, and having lights on when riding after dark.

NOTE: Devices such as mopeds, electric skateboards, segways, hoverboards, and electric unicycles are not considered e-bikes or e-scooters and could be illegal to operate on the highway in NYS or subject to other laws and regulations.

Laws for operating an e-bike or e-scooter are not uniform throughout NYS. Municipalities might have local laws, including laws that prohibit e-bikes or scooters, and require helmets for everyone. Before you buy such a bike or scooter, learn the local laws and ordinances and know where you are allowed to ride.

 

This article was taken from the Franklin County Traffic Safety Board's "Did You Know" articles.