New York City’s electric bicycle (commonly known as e-bike) and electric skateboard users will have to adhere to the city’s new speed limit of 15 miles per hour (approximately 24 kilometers per hour) starting from October 25. The city government stated that this measure aims to improve the safety of increasingly crowded streets and protect the safety of food delivery workers, commuters, pedestrians, and drivers.
The Mayor’s Office mentioned that initially, the new regulations will focus on education and awareness. Law enforcement will primarily issue verbal warnings to first-time offenders and will determine further enforcement based on traffic accident data. Mayor Adams emphasized, “This is not about criminalizing, but creating a safer and fairer environment for all New Yorkers.”
The city government will install new signs along major bike lanes and deploy personnel for on-street education. At the same time, delivery platforms and labor unions will receive educational materials to help promote the new regulations.
According to the city guidelines, traditional bicycles are not included in the speed limit range of this regulation. Due to their lighter weight, they can still maintain a maximum speed of 25 miles per hour.
Adams first proposed this regulation in June, citing that it aligns with the bike lane speed limits in certain European cities and addresses New Yorkers’ concerns about e-bike safety. Earlier this year, the police intensified crackdowns on e-bikes running red lights, riding against traffic, and even issued criminal summonses.
According to city data, at least 638 people were injured in e-bike accidents last year, with 17 fatalities. An estimated 65,000 delivery workers traverse the city’s streets daily, and e-bike sales in the United States have significantly increased since the pandemic. Earlier this month, a 60-year-old woman was fatally struck by an e-bike traveling at a speed of 30 miles per hour near the Brooklyn Navy Yard.