New York City’s New E-Bike Law (2026)

What NYC Riders, Pedestrians & Delivery Workers Need to Know

Electric bicycles and e-scooters are now part of everyday life in New York City. Delivery workers rely on them to earn a living, commuters use them to beat Manhattan traffic, and families use them for quick neighborhood trips in Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, Staten Island, and Harlem.

But as micromobility has exploded across NYC, so have:

• Serious e-bike and e-scooter crashes
• Devastating lithium-ion battery fires in apartment buildings
• Aggressive NYPD enforcement, tickets, and seizures

In response, New York State and New York City have rolled out a new wave of e-bike laws and regulations, including:

• A citywide 15 mph speed cap for e-bikes and e-scooters in NYC
• Stricter lithium-ion battery and UL-certification rules, with fines, padlock orders, and possible confiscation of unsafe equipment
• Aggressive enforcement against illegal mopeds and non-compliant devices
• A new statewide crash reporting law (effective July 11, 2025) requiring many e-bike/e-scooter crashes to be formally investigated and reported to the DMV

If you ride, walk, drive, or deliver in Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan, the Bronx, or Staten Island, these changes affect your safety and your legal rights.

At Greenstein & Pittari, LLP, our New York City e-bike accident lawyers represent injured riders, pedestrians, delivery workers, and families after e-bike and e-scooter crashes and fires. This page explains New York City’s new e-bike law in plain English-and what it means for your right to compensation after an NYC crash.

1. Big Picture: What Changed in New York City’s E-Bike Law in 2026?

New York’s e-bike rules now rest on two overlapping layers that both matter in New York City:

A. New York State Law

State law:

• Defines what counts as an e-bike
• Uses a three-class system (Class 1, 2, 3)
• Sets basic rules on age limits and where you can ride
• Creates a statewide e-bike and e-scooter crash reporting requirement (effective July 11, 2025) for many injury crashes

B. New York City Local Rules

On top of state law, NYC has added stricter local limits, including:

• A citywide 15 mph speed limit for all e-bikes and e-scooters on NYC streets (and, in practice, in bike lanes), effective October 24, 2025
• Stronger lithium-ion battery laws, including bans on non-certified devices and batteries, and proposed FDNY rules allowing confiscation of unsafe packs
• A new Department of Sustainable Delivery (DSD) within NYC DOT, focused on commercial cycling and delivery-app enforcement
• Ongoing NYPD, FDNY, and NYC Parks enforcement and seizures targeting illegal mopeds, unsafe devices, and dangerous charging setups

What this means for NYC riders and pedestrians:

• More tickets and potential confiscations if you’re riding too fast, on sidewalks, or on illegal/modified equipment
• More accountability for businesses and delivery apps that send NYC workers out on unsafe or non-compliant e-bikes
• A more straightforward-but more complex-legal environment if you’re injured in a New York City e-bike or e-scooter crash or a battery fire

If you were hurt in an e-bike or e-scooter incident anywhere in New York City, a local NYC e-bike accident attorney can help you navigate these overlapping laws.

2. How New York Law Classifies E-Bikes, E-Scooters & E-Motos

Legal E-Bike Definition in New York State

To qualify as a legal “bicycle with electric assist” in New York (including NYC), an e-bike must:

• Have fully operable pedals
• Have an electric motor of no more than 750 watts
• Be no more than 36 inches wide
• Meet CPSC bicycle standards

The Three E-Bike Classes in NYC

Class 1 – Pedal Assist Only (Up to 20 mph statewide)

• Motor assists only while you are pedaling
• Assistance must cut off at 20 mph statewide
• In New York City, real-world operation is capped at 15 mph by local law
• No throttle

Class 2 – Throttle E-Bikes (Up to 20 mph statewide)

• Can be propelled by throttle alone
• Motor assistance limited to 20 mph statewide, but 15 mph inside NYC
• Frequently used by NYC delivery workers and commuters

Class 3 – “Fast” E-Bikes (Up to 25 mph; NYC-only)

• Allowed only in cities with populations over 1 million (practically, New York City)
• Pedal-assist and/or throttle allowed
• State law allows assistance up to 25 mph, but NYC caps all e-bikes at 15 mph in practice
• Stricter helmet rules and heavier NYC enforcement

E-Scooters in NYC

E-scooters are separate from e-bikes and are defined by:

• Weight under 100 pounds
• Handlebars and a floorboard or seat
• Max speed of 20 mph statewide, but 15 mph in New York City
• Minimum riding age: 16
• Helmets required for riders 16–17

E-Motos / Electric Motorcycles (Not Legal E-Bikes)

These devices often look like beefy e-bikes but behave like motorcycles or mopeds:

• Commonly exceed 40–60 mph
• Often lack real, usable pedals
• Require a driver’s license, registration, plates, and insurance

They are a significant focus of NYPD e-moped crackdowns. If the device that hit you in NYC was actually an illegal e-moto, that can significantly affect liability and insurance coverage.

3. License, Registration & Insurance in New York City

License & Registration

As of late 2025, in New York City:

• You do not need a driver’s license or DMV registration for legal Class 1, 2, or NYC Class 3 e-bikes.
• Proposals such as “Priscilla’s Law” could eventually require NYC registration and plates for e-bikes and e-scooters, but they are not yet in effect.

If your device is modified to go much faster, lacks pedals, or behaves like a motorcycle or moped, it may require:

• A valid driver’s license
• Proper registration and plates
• Liability insurance

Insurance After a New York City E-Bike or E-Scooter Accident

New York does not currently require e-bike riders to carry liability insurance. However, insurance is central in almost every NYC e-bike accident case:

• If a car, truck, or bus is involved, you may be entitled to no-fault (PIP) benefits from that vehicle’s insurance, even if you were an e-bike rider or a pedestrian in NYC.
• If no motor vehicle is involved, you may need to rely on:
  • Your health insurance
  • A personal injury claim against the at-fault rider, landlord, business, or product manufacturer

Our NYC e-bike and e-scooter accident lawyers at Greenstein & Pittari, LLP, help identify every policy that may apply-auto insurance, renters or homeowners insurance, commercial policies, and product liability coverage.

4. Age Limits, Helmet Rules & Required Equipment in NYC

Age Limits

In New York State and New York City:

• You must be at least 16 years old to operate any Class 1, 2, or 3 e-bike or legal e-scooter.

Helmet Rules

State and NYC rules combine to say:

• Riders 16–17: Must wear a helmet on e-bikes and e-scooters.
• All Class 3 e-bike riders (any age): Must wear a helmet.
• Under 14: Helmet required on any bicycle, including e-bikes.

From both a safety and legal perspective, helmets are strongly recommended for every NYC rider.

Required / Recommended Equipment

To stay safe and compliant in New York City, your e-bike or e-scooter should have:

• Working brakes
• Front white light and rear red light at night
• Reflectors or reflective devices
• A bell or horn (for bikes)
• A manufacturer label with:
  • Motor wattage
  • Maximum assisted speed
  • Class (1, 2, or 3)

If you’re injured in an NYC e-bike crash, these details can matter when insurers try to blame the rider rather than the driver or business.

5. Where You Can (and Can’t) Ride E-Bikes in New York City

Under state law and NYC rules:

• You can generally ride on NYC streets with speed limits of 30 mph or less.
• Class 1 and 2 e-bikes can usually use bike lanes, including in Manhattan and Brooklyn.
• Sidewalk riding is prohibited in New York City, except in minimal situations where signs explicitly allow it.
• Highways, expressways, and most bridges are off-limits for e-bikes.
• Certain NYC parks, greenways, and multi-use paths have extra restrictions, especially for Class 3 e-bikes and mopeds.

As a rider, you must follow NYC traffic rules:

• Stop at red lights and stop signs
• Ride with traffic, not against it
• Yield to pedestrians in crosswalks
• Use bike lanes where safely usable

If you were a pedestrian in New York City hit by an e-bike or e-scooter on the sidewalk, in a banned area, or involving an illegal or modified device, those facts can heavily support your injury claim.

6. NYC’s 15 mph Cap & Enforcement Crackdown

15 mph Citywide Speed Limit

New York City has adopted a 15 mph speed limit for:

• All e-bikes (Class 1, 2, and 3)
• All e-scooters

This limit applies on city streets across all five boroughs and is enforced in practice in bike lanes. The rule took effect on October 24, 2025.

Key points for NYC riders and accident victims:

• State law may allow 20–25 mph assist, but inside NYC, the 15 mph cap controls.
• Violations can lead to tickets, fines, and possible bike impoundment, especially for repeat offenders and illegal mopeds.
• Enforcement tends to focus on crowded corridors and high-crash locations, like busy Manhattan avenues and major Brooklyn bike routes.

If you’re injured by a rider clearly exceeding 15 mph in New York City, that speeding can be robust evidence of negligence.

NYPD, NYC Parks, & Citywide Seizures

Since 2022, the NYPD has seized tens of thousands of illegal mopeds and scooters. You might see:

• Targeted enforcement in high-traffic areas in Manhattan, the Bronx, and other boroughs
• Checkpoints where officers verify helmets, speeds, and whether devices are legal e-bikes or unregistered mopeds
• NYC Parks enforcement where mopeds are banned, and e-bikes/e-scooters must follow park and greenway rules

Some riders receive civil tickets; others receive criminal summonses that require an appearance in an NYC court. Skipping court can lead to a bench warrant.

Department of Sustainable Delivery (DSD)

The new NYC Department of Sustainable Delivery focuses on:

• Delivery-app policies and working conditions
• Holding apps and businesses responsible for rider safety and equipment
• Coordinating enforcement with NYPD, DOT, FDNY, and NYC Parks
• Eventually deploying peace officers who can write moving violations and enforce commercial cycling laws

For NYC delivery workers, this means platforms and employers may be pulled directly into legal disputes after a serious crash or fire.

7. Battery Safety, UL Certification & FDNY Seizures in NYC

Lithium-ion battery fires have been especially devastating in New York City apartment buildings and mixed-use properties.

Existing NYC Battery Safety Rules

• The sale or lease of e-bikes, e-scooters, and batteries that do not meet recognized safety standards (such as UL) is prohibited in NYC and under state law.
• Systems are expected to meet standards like UL 2849 / UL 2272, and batteries must meet standards such as UL 2271.
• Shops caught selling non-compliant devices can face fines and padlock orders shutting them down.

Proposed FDNY Battery Confiscation Rules

A proposed FDNY rule would go even further by:

• Allowing confiscation of uncertified batteries wherever they are found in NYC
• Making the possession of a non-compliant battery a possible basis for seizure and disposal

Trade-In Programs & Bronx / Borough Enforcement

To help riders, especially NYC delivery workers, move to safer equipment:

• NYC DOT has launched trade-in programs for unsafe e-bikes and batteries.
• Enforcement is obvious in specific neighborhoods, including parts of the Bronx, where shops and riders are under intense scrutiny.

Legal Implications of NYC Battery Laws

If you’re a New York City rider, tenant, or worker:

• Use UL-certified batteries and chargers only.
• Landlords, building owners, and businesses that allow unsafe charging setups may face significant liability if a fire injures tenants, workers, or visitors.
• If you were injured in an NYC e-bike fire or e-scooter battery explosion, potential claims may exist against:
  • The device or battery manufacturer
  • The retailer or importer who sold non-compliant products
  • Building owners who ignored safety warnings or allowed hazardous charging conditions

Our New York City e-bike fire lawyers work with fire experts and product-safety consultants to identify every responsible party.

8. Statewide Reporting Law (Effective July 11, 2025) & NYC Crashes

Chapter 196 of the Laws of 2024, effective July 11, 2025, applies statewide, including New York City, and changes how e-bike and e-scooter crashes are recorded.

Mandatory Police Investigation & DMV Reporting

If a crash results in physical injury or serious physical injury and is reported within five days:

• Police or a judicial officer must investigate and report to the DMV.
• Reports must include details about the type of vehicles involved (e-bike, e-scooter, car, etc.).
• In serious injury or fatal crashes, police must conduct a more thorough investigation, similar to major motor vehicle crashes.

E-Scooter Operator Duty to Report

If you operate an e-scooter in NYC or anywhere in New York:

• You must report to the DMV within 10 days any crash that results in death or serious physical injury, once you know about that outcome.

Failure to report can affect liability, insurance defenses, and your legal position after a crash, particularly in contested NYC cases.

9. Why the New Reporting Law Helps NYC Accident Victims

For years, many New York City e-bike and e-scooter crashes were:

• Handled informally in the street
• Poorly documented
• Easy for at-fault parties and insurers to dispute or downplay

The new law:

• Creates official DMV records for qualifying crashes
• Produces police reports with officer observations
• Documents vehicle types, injuries, and scene conditions soon after the crash
• Helps identify patterns and dangerous locations over time

For NYC crash victims, that means:

• It’s harder for at-fault drivers, riders, or companies to deny the crash or twist the facts months later.
• Insurers have a tougher time claiming “there’s no record” of what you describe.
• Your New York City e-bike accident lawyer has a stronger foundation to reconstruct the crash and prove fault.

10. Comparative Negligence, Deadlines & Compensation in NYC E-Bike Cases

Comparative Negligence in New York

New York follows pure comparative negligence:

• You can still recover compensation even if you were partially at fault.
• Your damages may be reduced by your percentage of responsibility, but not eliminated.

The reporting law doesn’t change this, but better documentation makes it easier to prove accurate fault percentages in NYC cases.

Statutes of Limitations & NYC Notice of Claim

In many cases (there are exceptions and nuances):

• Personal injury: generally 3 years from the accident
• Wrongful death: generally 2 years
• Claims involving NYC or public agencies (e.g., MTA, city hospitals): usually require a Notice of Claim within 90 days

Because these deadlines can be shorter in some situations, it’s essential to consult a New York City personal injury attorney as early as possible.

Types of Compensation

Depending on the facts of your NYC e-bike or e-scooter case, you may recover:

• Past and future medical expenses
• Lost wages and loss of earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress and loss of enjoyment of life
• Property damage (bike, scooter, phone, gear, etc.)
• Wrongful death damages for surviving family members

Our job is to identify every possible source of coverage and pursue full, fair compensation.

11. Delivery Workers & New York City E-Bike Laws

If you deliver food or packages in New York City on an e-bike or e-scooter, these laws affect your safety and your paycheck.

You must:

• Obey the 15 mph speed limit
• Stay off sidewalks in NYC
• Wear a helmet (especially if you ride a Class 3)
• Comply with commercial cycling rules, including ID and bike markings where required

These rules can be used:

• Against you, to argue you were at fault if you were speeding, sidewalk riding, or using illegal mopeds or uncertified batteries;
• For you, if your employer or app pushed you to meet impossible delivery times or to use unsafe, non-compliant equipment.

Greenstein & Pittari, LLP regularly helps NYC delivery workers with:

• Workers’ compensation issues
• Claims against negligent drivers
• Claims against apps and businesses that created unsafe working conditions
• Battery fire and product liability claims involving the delivery of e-bikes

12. What To Do After an E-Bike or E-Scooter Crash in New York City

Whether you’re a pedestrian hit in a Manhattan crosswalk, a cyclist struck by a delivery e-bike in Brooklyn, a delivery worker cut off by a car in Queens, or a driver hit by a scooter in the Bronx, your steps after a crash matter more than ever in NYC.

At the Scene in NYC

1. Get to safety & call 911.
2. Ask for police and an ambulance if needed.
3. Insist on a police report-this is key for NYC cases and DMV reporting.
4. Take photos and video of:
   • Vehicles and devices
   • Traffic lights, bike lane markings, and crosswalks
   • Road conditions, debris, weather, and your visible injuries
5. Get witness contact information.
6. Seek medical care immediately, and be sure providers document that your injuries came from a crash, not “just a fall.”
7. Preserve the bike, scooter, battery, helmet, and clothing-don’t repair or discard anything.

Within Five Days

• If police were not involved at the scene, file a report within five days so the new statewide reporting law applies.

Before Talking to Insurance Companies

• Speak with a New York City e-bike accident lawyer first.
• Insurers may try to blame you for riding too fast, using an “illegal” e-bike, or being “distracted” as a pedestrian.

13. Who May Be Liable in an NYC E-Bike or E-Scooter Case?

Every NYC case is different, but common defendants include:

• Reckless e-bike or e-scooter riders
• Drivers of cars, trucks, and buses who fail to share NYC streets safely
• Delivery apps and businesses that push unsafe quotas or equipment
• Landlords & property owners who allow unsafe charging or dangerous conditions
• Manufacturers & sellers of defective bikes, batteries, and chargers
• NYC agencies or contractors responsible for dangerous roads or sidewalks

Our New York City injury lawyers look beyond “the person who hit you” and seek accountability from every responsible party.

14. How Greenstein & Pittari, LLP Helps NYC E-Bike & E-Scooter Victims

We focus exclusively on personal injury law and have a proven track record of results, responsiveness, and relentless advocacy across New York City.

We represent:

• Pedestrians hit by e-bikes or e-scooters in NYC crosswalks
• Cyclists struck by e-bikes, mopeds, or motor vehicles
• Delivery workers injured on the job
• Drivers hit by e-bikes or e-scooters
• Victims of lithium-ion battery fires involving e-bikes or e-scooters
• Families in wrongful death cases after fatal crashes or fires

We can:

• Investigate quickly, gathering video, witnesses, device, and app data
• Analyze whether NYC’s 15 mph cap, sidewalk bans, or other rules were violated
• Determine whether you qualify for no-fault/PIP benefits from a motor vehicle’s insurer
• Pursue claims against delivery apps, employers, landlords, manufacturers, and retailers
• Work with medical, engineering, and fire experts to document your injuries and losses

Why Choose Greenstein & Pittari?

• Local Harlem office and seven convenient locations in Harlem, the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, Yonkers, and Nassau County
• No fee unless we win your case – Our Fee Guarantee
• Bilingual services available
• Hundreds of positive client reviews and testimonials
• Top-rated, award-winning lawyers (Best Lawyers, Super Lawyers)
• We handle the insurance companies and legal details so you can focus on healing

Our motto says it all: “Don’t Be a Victim Twice.”

15. FAQs: New York City’s New E-Bike Law

(These FAQs help target NYC search queries like “NYC e-bike law,” “Are e-bikes legal in NYC?” and “NYC e-scooter accident lawyer.”)

1. Are e-bikes legal in New York City?
Yes. Class 1, 2, and NYC Class 3 e-bikes are legal if they meet state definitions and comply with NYC rules (no sidewalks, 30 mph streets or lower, and a max speed of 15 mph).

2. Do the new e-bike laws apply outside NYC?
Yes, but NYC’s 15 mph cap and local enforcement apply only in the five boroughs. The statewide reporting law applies everywhere in New York State.

3. Do I need a license or registration to ride an e-bike in NYC?
Not for a legal Class 1, 2, or 3 e-bike. Illegal or modified high-speed devices may be treated as unregistered motor vehicles.

4. Are e-bikes allowed on sidewalks in New York City?
Rarely. Sidewalk riding is generally prohibited. If you’re a pedestrian hit by an e-bike on the sidewalk in NYC, that illegal riding is strong evidence of fault.

5. An e-bike hit me as a pedestrian in NYC. Do I have a case?
Often yes. Fault may fall on the rider, their employer (if they’re delivering), a driver, or others. A New York City e-bike accident lawyer can review your case.

6. What if my crash was caused by a battery or brake defect?
You may have a product liability case against the manufacturer, distributor, or retailer, especially in NYC, where battery laws are strict.

7. How long do I have to sue after an NYC e-bike accident?
Many injury claims have a 3-year deadline, but claims against NYC or public agencies often require a Notice of Claim within 90 days. Could you talk to a lawyer right away?

Ready to Talk to a New York City E-Bike Accident Lawyer?

If you’ve been injured-or are facing citations or battery seizures-under New York City’s new e-bike laws, you deserve clear answers and strong local advocacy.

Don’t Be a Victim Twice.

Call 1-800-VICTIM2 (1-800-842-8462) today to schedule a free, confidential consultation with Greenstein & Pittari, LLP.

• The call is free.
• The consultation is free.
• You don’t pay us unless we are successful.

We represent clients throughout Harlem, Manhattan, the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, Yonkers, Nassau County, and across the New York City metro area.