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

A proposal to require registration of e-bikes in New York state is delayed because budget negotiations have run past the April 1 deadline. Assemblymember Bill Magnarelli, who chairs the transportation committee, says there is not enough time to develop and consider related bills before 2027. About four dozen bills addressing e-bikes and e-scooters are pending, including proposals to regulate, register, incentivize, or increase awareness. New York law defines three e-bike classes with speed and motor-assistance rules, and it restricts operation by age and on certain roads. Enforcement is described as weak, and registration is viewed as a way to improve accountability. New Jersey plans to require e-bike registration and rider licenses starting in July.

"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. "This is one of the casualties, so to speak, of a budget going a little bit later than you would want," he told Gothamist."

"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. But the existing laws aren't well-enforced, lawmakers and advocates acknowledge."

"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 Gothamist