NYC e-bikes slapped with new 15 mph speed restrict:…
Speed demons, beware — the town that never sleeps is about to turn into the town that never speeds.
Starting Friday, Oct. 24, a new 15 miles-per-hour speed restrict will come into impact for Big Apple e-bike riders on all streets across the 5 boroughs, as nicely as on pathways inside of parks operated by the town.
But NYC officers could have their work cut out for them: a Post investigation — with a radar gun actually in hand — discovered that many riders on numerous makes and fashions are roaring along at almost double that.
The Post took a radar gun out to Sixth Avenue in Midtown Manhattan, where some riders roared along at 23 m.p.h. Brian Zak/NY Post
The new rule is supposed to slow down speedy cyclists, including supply riders dashing to drop off food orders, inflicting chaos for drivers and pedestrians.
Mayor Eric Adams’ workplace has directed that the new most speed for e-bikes, e-scooters and pedal-assist industrial bicycles — including in style Citi Bike leases, which beforehand had an 18 m.p.h. restrict. However, during a current weekday lunch rush, The Post took a radar gun out to Sixth Avenue in Midtown Manhattan, clocking some riders zipping about at 23 m.p.h., weaving dangerously between vehicles and pedestrians.
One nameless supply rider, who makes use of an e-bike for food drop-offs, slammed the upcoming speed restrict, saying 15 m.p.h. is “too slow,” while a pedestrian sided with their need for speed.
“You know why they go fast, right?” the stroller requested The Post. “The more orders they drop off, the more money they make.”
The brazen biker revealed that his e-vehicle has a pedal-assist speed of 25 m.p.h., but claimed he might go even sooner if he pedaled more vigorously — even admitting he gained’t abide by the new rule.
Delivery drivers zoom around at speeds surpassing even 20 m.p.h. in order to drop off as many meals as doable. Stefano Giovannini
Currently, it seems e-bike riders have a free-for-all when it comes to using wherever they need at whatever speed they see match.
The Post also ventured over to the Hudson River Greenway on the west facet of Manhattan. The greenway is a state path, and the new 15 m.p.h. rule gained’t apply to that in style thoroughfare because e-bikes are already banned.
But quite a few fast-moving e-riders had been clocked on the street, some rushing at 23 m.p.h. there, too, flagrantly ignoring large indicators saying their presence is prohibited.
E-bikes have exploded in recognition in current years. Pedestrians are peeved by the high speeds the bikes attain, making them yet another potential hazard on busy metropolis streets. Stefano Giovannini
While some are clearly not pleased about the new speed restrict, others appear to be in favor of it.
An nameless e-scooter rider who stopped to speak with The Post praised the rule, saying, “I like it. Any faster [than 15 m.p.h.], and it’s really hard to react to potholes, pedestrians, [and] cars.”
He admitted he had beforehand been embroiled in a collision on his e-scooter, hit by “a small bus” as he moved along a metropolis road.
“I was knocked to the ground,” he recalled. “I thought I was done.”
One rider rode past at 22 mph on the Hudson River Greenway. E-bike riders are already prohibited on the trail, but seemingly pay no thoughts to the principles. Stefano Giovannini
It stays unclear how nicely the 15 m.p.h. rule could be enforced, given that riders don’t need registration.
“As New Yorkers adjust to this new law, our focus will be on education first and enforcement second — this includes installing new signage in key cycling corridors and issuing warnings to first-time offenders,” Mayor Adams said in a assertion to The Post. “This isn’t about criminalization; it’s about creating safer, fairer conditions for all New Yorkers.”
The New York Police Department does plan to issue warnings to cyclists when they exceed the speed restrict, though it could be a secondary discover when they witness other violations. Regardless, it’s unclear how violators can be clocked.
Both the New York Police Department and the town Department of Transportation can be doing outreach to e-bike riders, including messaging on LinkNYC kiosks and push notifications via NotifyNYC. The DOT is also putting in signage designating the new restrict along biking corridors.
Queens Councilmember Bob Holden doesn’t appear to have a lot religion in the new speed test, beforehand saying: “These riders have been ignoring traffic laws for years, and without license plates and real enforcement, the danger will only grow.”
One nonchalant rider agreed: “I don’t know how you’re going to enforce that. We’re in New York, people do what they want.”
According to the town DOT, e-bike fatalities declined in the first half of this 12 months in contrast to that same time period in 2024 (six fatalities vs. 9 fatalities). However, collisions are up over 11% from last 12 months, per the NYPD’s TrafficStat report.
On the Hudson River Greenway, brazen riders had been clocked rushing along at up to 23 m.p.h., flagrantly ignoring large indicators saying their presence is prohibited. Stefano Giovannini
Some e-bike riders argue that it’s not the speed, but reasonably pedestrians, that are contributing to the spike in crashes.
“They’re always head down on their phones, distracted,” one biker told The Post. (*15*)
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