New York won't tackle e-bike registration this year

A proposal to require registration of e-bikes in New York state has been delayed because budget negotiations ran past the April 1 deadline. Assemblymember Bill Magnarelli, chair of the transportation committee, said there is not enough time to develop and consider e-bike bills and that major actions will not occur until 2027. About four dozen bills are pending, covering regulation, registration, incentives, and awareness. New York law defines three e-bike classes with speed and motor-assist rules, and allows Class 3 bikes in New York City. Riders under 16 cannot legally operate e-bikes, and e-bikes are restricted on roads with speed limits above 30 mph, with New York City imposing a 15 mph limit. Existing laws are described as poorly enforced, and registration is viewed as a way to improve accountability, though bicycle advocacy groups are wary. New Jersey plans to require e-bike registration and rider licenses starting in July.

"“This is one of the casualties, so to speak, of a budget going a little bit later than you would want,” he told the New York Public News Network. Magnarelli said deliberations on the state budget have stretched so far past its April 1 due date that there simply isn't enough time to develop and consider bills on the subject. He added that there won't be any major actions on the topic until 2027."

"Assemblymember Bill Magnarelli, a Syracuse Democrat who chairs that chamber's transportation committee, wants to require that all e-bikes be registered. But he said there won't be any major actions on the topic until 2027. Magnarelli chaired a hearing on e-bikes and e-scooters in January where a Long Island police chief and the head of the Albany Bicycle Coalition testified. Around four dozen bills with various proposals to regulate, register, incentivize or increase awareness about e-bikes are pending before the Transportation Committee, he said."

"New York state law allows three classes of e-bikes. Class 1 e-bikes can go up to 20 mph with motors that operate when riders are pedaling; while Class 2 e-bikes are still capped at 20 mph, but can operate without anyone pedaling. Class 3 bikes go up to 25 mph and are allowed to operate in New York City. No one under age 16 is legally allowed to operate an e-bike, and state law currently prohibits the use of e-bikes on roads where the speed limit is greater than 30 mph. Localities can impose their own additional restrictions; New York City last year imposed a 15 mph speed limit for e-bikes."

"Magnarelli complained that it's difficult to hold people accountable if an e-bike isn't registered and operators aren't required to have any type or license or training. Starting in July, e-bikes in New Jersey will need to be registered and riders will need to have licenses. Bicycle advocacy groups in New York are generally wary of registration."

Read at WRVO Public Media