NYC Rules
rules.cityofnewyork.us
Every year, City agencies make over 100 changes or additions to the City rules that are an important part of how government interacts with the public. New Yorkers can review proposed rules and voice their opinions about those rules before they are adopted into law.

Today is a big day for the future of e-bikes in New York City. A hearing starts at 10 a.m. You can file a written comment until 5 p.m. You can also send an email to rules@dot.nyc.gov until 5 p.m

  • Baŝto@discuss.tchncs.deEnglish
    1·
    5 hours ago

    The thing with pedelecs and 25km/h is complicated™

    • we distinguish e-bikes and pedelecs
      • self-driving electric bike
      • bike with electric pedal assist
    • motorized bikes are already a thing for a century
      • motorbikes… (driving license; 16 years+; real number plate; but 20 years+ for >45km/h)
      • moped has 45km/h limit and a kickstart pedal (driving license; 15 years+; insurance plate)
      • mofa has 25km/h limit and (can have) real bike pedals (driving test; 15 years+; insurance plate)
    • every motorized vehicle that can do more than 20km/h and doesn’t have a seat belt, mandates helmets
    • bike paths are only for bikes
      • outside of built-up area mofas were already allowed to use bike paths
    • at least one state banned motorized vehicles from forests

    It probably was always possible to drive them as moped/mofa, don’t think it was specified what kind of motor.

    Pedal assist doesn’t just stop at 25km/h, it also decreases with higher speeds.

    But the point is that pedelecs effectively count as bike and not motorized vehicles. That means somebody younger than 15 can drive them, but you have to be at least 10 to be allowed to drive on streets/roads. Helmets are only mandatory for <12 years old kids on bikes.

      • Baŝto@discuss.tchncs.deEnglish
        1·
        4 hours ago

        It’s the same. Those are motor limits, not driving speed limits. If you don’t meet them you just have to follow the stricter regulations.

        Theoretically if you get an e-bike classified as a motorbike you could do 200 km/h on the motor way, just not on bike lanes. It just needs to be registerd, insuranced, have a proper motorbike license, wear helmet etc … like it’s the case with a car where it’s seat belt instead of helmet.

        The speed limits are the same, I still have to follow regular 30km/h speed limits with my pedelec when I could do 45km/h downhill otherwise. Unless there are special signs somewhere, but so far I’ve only seen those for trucks/buses. Bikes are also entitled to street parking and parking lots since those are rules for all vehicles, it’s just impracticable. There is only a general rule to park space-saving.