Definitions of a bicycle in New York City law are surprisingly detailed. Learn more here. New York E-Bike Personal Injury Attorneys Glenn & Robin Herman
E-bikes and e-scooters are becoming increasingly popular across New York City as individuals and lawmakers move away from automobile traffic and towards more sustainable forms of transportation. With the introduction of CitiBike, Lime, Bird, and other micromobility devices and vehicles that can be used with various apps, e-bikes and e-scooters have also become more accessible to New Yorkers.
E-bikes were fully legalized in New York in 2020, and since then, e-bike injuries have increased along with e-bike traffic. If you are an e-bike rider, traditional cyclist, or pedestrian who has been injured in an e-bike accident, it is important to understand the law surrounding e-bikes.
In this article, personal injury attorney Glenn Herman explains the legal definition of e-bikes as defined by the New York State Department of Transportation.
Under New York State law, e-bikes are defined as bicycles 36” or less in width equipped with fully functional pedals and a motor of 750W or less.
There are three legal classifications of e-bikes, which are divided based on how much assistance the vehicle’s motor is capable of providing. These are defined as follows:
Class 1 Bicycle with Electric Assist. This class of e-bikes have a pedal-assist motor (meaning that the motor powers forward motion based on the force and speed applied to the pedals by the rider), which stops when the bike’s speed reaches 20mph.
Class 2 Bicycle with Electric Assist: This class of e-bikes has a motor capable of propelling the bike forward without pedal action by the rider, up to a speed of 20mph.
Class 3 Bicycle with Electric Assist: This class of e-bikes has a motor capable of propelling the bicycle forward up to a speed of at least 25mph. In New York State, Class 3 e-bikes can only legally be ridden in cities with a population of one million or more people.
Under current e-bike laws in New York State in 2022, you do not need a license to operate or ride an e-bike or e-scooter. There is also no requirement for registration of e-bikes and e-scooters; in fact, the NYSDOT currently provides no means of doing so.
While there is no legally required equivalent to driver’s education for e-bike riders, apps such as Lime and Bird require users to take a safety orientation course and quiz before riding in high-traffic zones to protect the safety of riders and others on the road.
There are some important legal restrictions in the state of New York when it comes to riding e-bikes.
Firstly, the motor of the e-bike cannot exceed 750 watts.
Secondly, though no formal license is required, all e-bike riders must be at least sixteen years old.
Thirdly, all e-bike riders must wear a helmet while riding, whether they are riding an e-bike that they own or one they are renting through an app.
Our New York City Personal Injury attorneys take the time to learn every aspect of your case during our initial meeting in order to properly evaluate the full extent of the damages you or a loved one have suffered. We have been representing seriously injured New Yorkers for over 25 years. Born, raised, and living in the City, we know that when you have been injured in this town, you need an attorney to protect your rights and explain the law to you in a way you can understand.
For a no charge consultation today to discuss the details of your injury event: https://hermannyc.com/free-cas...
We represent clients in all five boroughs of New York (NY): Manhattan, Staten Island, Queens, Brooklyn, and the Bronx, along with Suffolk County & Nassau County on Long Island, Westchester County, Rockland County, and throughout the entire state of New York.
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