Guide on E-Bikes, E-Scooters and Mopeds

With an e-scooter share system launching in the Bronx, moped shares popping up throughout the City, and e-bikes on the streets everywhere, it can feel like the rules of the road can be hard to decode. We’re here to help you makes sense of it all.

In April of 2020, the New York State legislature legalized e-bikes and e-scooters statewide. City residents and visitors can own and operate e-bikes and e-scooters in bike lanes and on City streets. Be sure to stay off the sidewalks and follow all other traffic laws.

For more information, check out this brief table summarizing the rules by vehicle class and visit DOT’s page on e-bikes, e-scooters and mopeds. See below for more information on different electric micromobility share systems, where fleets of bikes, scooters or mopeds are provided by an operator for short-term use by multiple users.

E-Bikes in Citi Bike Share System

In February of 2020, Citi Bike reintroduced e-bikes into their fleet covering Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx. The pedal assist e-bikes offer riders an additional boost to tackle bridges or shave time off of their commute. You can find an e-bike by looking for the lightning bolt symbol in the Citi Bike app and return them to any Citi Bike dock. For more information visit Citi Bike’s page on e-bikes.

E-Scooter Share Systems

Following the State legislation legalizing e-scooters, the New York City Council passed a bill requiring DOT to create a pilot program for an e-scooter share system. The pilot, which launched on August 17 in the East Bronx, includes 3,000 scooters from Bird, Lime and Veo. A subsequent phase is planned for next year, which will expand the service area in the Bronx. State law, however, prohibits e-scooter shares from operating in Manhattan. For more information on the program, visit DOT’s E-Scooter Share Website.

Moped Share Systems

In response to crashes involving Revel mopeds which resulted in multiple deaths, the New York City Council passed Int. No. 2061-A prohibiting the operation of moped share systems without DOT approval. Under the bill, moped share systems are required to obtain a permit for each vehicle in their fleet and to ensure compliance with rules set forth by DOT. The bill also limits moped share systems to using mopeds that are incapable of exceeding 30 mph. Moped share operators who do not comply with the rules are subject to penalties and impounding of non-compliant vehicles. Moped share operators who were in operation prior to the passage of the bill will be allowed to continue operating but will have to obtain approval from DOT within a given period of time to be determined by the rules. Currently, Revel and Lime mopeds are in operations throughout parts of Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx.

Photo credit: NYC Department of Transportation