New York City Police Department will stop issuing criminal summonses for e-bike riders and cyclists for low-level traffic offenses
Today, Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani announced a sweeping set of policies to end criminal enforcement against e-bike riders and cyclists for low-level traffic offenses, expand safety training for all e-bike and bicycle delivery workers, enhance Citi Bike safety features and strengthen accountability for app-based delivery companies.
Beginning Friday, March 27, the New York City Police Department (NYPD)'s policy under the prior administration of issuing criminal summonses to e-bike riders and cyclists for low-level traffic offenses will be rescinded. Under that policy, riders could be criminally charged for minor violations such as disobeying a stop sign — forcing them to appear in criminal court, with failure to appear risking a bench warrant or arrest.
Under the Mamdani administration, these violations will instead be addressed through the same civil summons process as motorists. This change ensures accountability while ending a punitive system that has disproportionately burdened working New Yorkers.
In tandem, the Mayor and the New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) will launch a robust, comprehensive safety training program for delivery workers and work with the City Council to pursue legislation to address unsafe practices by third-party delivery app companies — practices that often incentivize dangerous riding through unrealistic delivery times.
Proposed legislation will require delivery platforms to share trip-level data with NYC DOT to inform safer delivery standards and comply with those standards. The City will also seek authority to mandate enhanced training for delivery workers who repeatedly engage in unsafe riding behavior.
“Every New Yorker on our roads, whether driving or biking, deserves to be treated fairly. By ending criminal summonses for low-level traffic offenses, we’re ensuring cyclists and e-bike riders — including those who deliver our food and groceries — are treated like others on the road,” said Mayor Mamdani. “At the same time, we’re making our streets safer for everyone. In partnership with the City Council, we’ll strengthen safety standards, hold app companies accountable and expand training for delivery riders. This balanced approach supports riders while protecting pedestrians and motorists — and moves us closer to making our streetscape the envy of the world.”
“Every New Yorker deserves a workplace where their safety and dignity are the top priority — including the delivery cyclists who serve our city day and night, through blizzards and downpours,” said NYC DOT Commissioner Mike Flynn. “For too long, third-party delivery companies have incentivized dangerous cycling behavior without proper oversight or accountability. To truly deliver safe streets for all New Yorkers, we will be taking a multipronged approach that holds delivery companies accountable for their impact on street safety, provides training and resources to delivery workers and expands bold new street designs that better accommodate e-bike riders and pedestrians.”
“Delivery workers have one of the most dangerous jobs in the city, and I commend Mayor Mamdani and Commissioner Flynn for these critical efforts to address unsafe corporate practices that play out on our streets,” said NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) Commissioner Samuel A.A. Levine. “When delivery apps push workers to speed through unreasonable quotas or unrealistic delivery times, it creates a dangerous streetscape for every New Yorker. DCWP will use any and every tool at its disposal to support our DOT colleagues’ street safety initiatives and ensure apps are held accountable.”
As part of this initiative, the City will launch an enhanced safety training program in April for all bicycle and e-bike delivery workers. The program — accessible online through secure accounts and available in six languages — will cover workers’ rights and responsibilities, safe e-bike and bicycle operation and traffic laws. NYC DOT will oversee compliance and implement the program in partnership with delivery worker advocates to ensure that trainings are completed and workers’ rights are protected in the process.
The Mamdani administration will also partner with Lyft, operator of Citi Bike, to introduce hardware upgrades that deter multiple riders on a single bike and to amplify a forthcoming education and safety campaign in collaboration with Transportation Alternatives. The City will continue to work with Citi Bike’s operator and stakeholders to advance additional safety enhancements in the future.
Finally, the Mamdani administration will work with the City Council to develop legislation addressing the root causes of unsafe e-bike and cycling delivery practices. The legislation will:
- Require third-party delivery companies to provide trip-level data on deliveries, worker penalties and safety incidents to NYC DOT;
- Authorize the City to establish safe delivery time standards and regulate penalties imposed on workers;
- Authorize NYC DOT to require enhanced training for delivery workers who repeatedly engage in unsafe e-bike and cyclist behavior; and
- Expand commercial delivery safety and training requirements to cover all two-wheeled devices, including mopeds and motorcycles.
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