NYC to allow e-bikes and e-scooters in parks this summer

New Yorkers looking to ride their e-bikes and e-scooters in city parks may be able to do so this summer thanks to a new legislation package signed by Mayor Eric Adams. The city’s Department of Parks and Recreation plans to lift the ban on electric vehicles on park drives and greenways. 

This change to the e-bike regulations is a part of the “Charge Safe, Ride Safe: New York City’s Electric Micromobility Action Plan”. The new pilot program, introduced by Mayor Adams, focuses on promoting safe electric mobility usage. As a part of the plan, the city would install e-vehicle storage and charging solutions at NYCHA properties in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens and provide delivery workers with safe places to rest and change their vehicles. 

New York legalized e-bikes that go up to 25 mph and e-scooters that go up to 15 mph in April 2020 amid the rise in food delivery services. These vehicles were seen as a more pandemic-friendly and affordable alternative to cars. However, the unregulated market of electric mobility devices also poses a significant safety risk.

There were 220 fires caused by low-quality batteries in 2022, up from 44 in 2020, according to the data presented by the mayor's office. Those fires resulted in 10 deaths and 226 injuries between 2021 and 2022. In addition to the new pilot program, Mayor Adams also signed five bills prohibiting the sale of e-vehicles and lithium-ion batteries that fail to meet safety standards and banning the reconditioning of used batteries. 

“Today, we are supercharging safety for all of our e-bikes and e-scooter users,” said Mayor Adams. “These are convenient transportation options for New Yorkers, but faulty and illegal devices are making their way into our homes and streets, causing fires and putting lives at risk.”

“Through promoting safe devices, expanding education, increasing enforcement on high-risk situations, and pursuing additional regulation, I’m proud that New York City is leading that charge. E-bikes and e-scooters are here to stay, and with this plan and these five pieces of critical legislation I’m proud to sign, we are going to ensure that they are safe for all New Yorkers to use.”

Resources:

“Mayor Adams Announces Plan to Combat Lithium-Ion Battery Fires, Promote Safe Electric Micromobility Usage,” (NYC, 2023)

“NYC to lift ban on e-bikes in city parks this summer,” by Aaron Ginsburg (6sqft, 2023)

“You'll be able to ride your e-bike inside NYC parks this summer,” by Anna Rahmanan (Time Out, 2023)

“Amid a rise in fires and deaths, New York City enacts new e-bike rules,” by Peter Charalambous (ABC News, 2023)