Starting this year, New York will implement a new citywide e-bike speed limit of 15 mph. And the main objective, according to city officials is to increase everyone’s safety on busy roads and walkways without leaving e-bikes behind from people who rely on them.
According to the New York City Department of Transportation (NYCDOT) e-bike injuries have increased 70% from 2019 to 2022, and in frequented spots like Central Park, the Brooklyn Bridge, and the Hudson River Greenway are getting more and more complaints about bikes.
This is creating concerns about regulation and how modern transportation fits into busy towns across the United States. The speed limit cap is supported by Mayor Eric Adams, and the Office of the Mayor of New York City will keep on giving updates about the subject.
According CLIP, which is well-known for its e-bike conversion kits, the shift would affect people, delivery riders, visitors on shared bikes, and users of DIY kits. The goal is to make e-bikes quick and easy while being a little more considerate to pedestrians.
What’s changing
Why setting the limit at 15 mph? Data and complaints point to a simple pattern: higher speed means more serious injuries, especially in crowded places like Central Park, the Brooklyn Bridge, and the Hudson River Greenway.
Injuries from e-bikes increased by 70% between 2019 and 2022, according to NYCDOT. And according to the city, a well-defined restriction will reduce many incidents and serious crashes while keeping the efficiency of daily travels like going to work or school, doing errands, and making deliveries.
New York City is now considering imposing a limit on e-bikes after Europe outlawed cybertrucks on a large scale.
The story there is different, but the subject is the same: as more people choses bikes as their main transportation option, many cities are experimenting to make roads safer. And the part where it gets difficult is enforcement. Protesters, experts, and even local authorities are concerned about how to enforce a speed limit without stopping every rider. Most of them suggest that the city should first implement the regulation, publicize it, and focus on the busiest areas.
Who is affected and what are the penalties?
According to CLIP, these groups are most affected:
- E-bike commuters who ride daily.
- Cycling enthusiasts using personal conversion kits.
- Delivery riders using Class 2 or Class 3 e-bikes.
- Tourists and casual riders using shared e-bikes.
Penalties if you’re not respecting the law will go from fines of $100 (or more), to an e-bike impoundment or even suspension from delivery apps for riders who keep breaking the rule.
But there is no playbook, and the city is still figuring out how to measure and enforce. However, you still have to ride at or below 15 mph. If your bike can’t cap speed automatically, you’ll need to self-limit.
The rule applies to everyone, but delivery riders may feel it more because they spend more hours on the road.
Conclusion: safer sharing of streets and paths
In New York and around the United States, e-bikes are becoming more and more popular. And it’s easy to understand why; they’re efficient, reasonably priced, and simple to adapt. The goal of the 15 mph speed limit is supposed to keep everyone safe in busy areas, especially pedestrians. The city wants a better balance between speed and safety on famous routes like the Brooklyn Bridge, the Hudson River Greenway, and Central Park.
And although the rule is not quite installed yet, if you want to avoid any possible penalties, the solution is easy: slow to 15 mph, signal, brake early, and yield to pedestrians. In the end is all about safety, so look a it a way to protect yourself, and those around you.