Ahead of a major oversight hearing, New York City Council Speaker Julie Menin and Council Members highlighted the record-number of legislative items planned to be heard, while emphasizing the importance of enhancing the safety of travel using powered micromobility devices. Wednesday’s hearing, held jointly by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, the Committee on Consumer and Worker Protection, and the Committee on Public Safety, is examining the use of small transportation devices with limited power and speed, in New York City, and reviewing 23 pieces of legislation with proposals for making city streets safer for pedestrians, riders, passengers and drivers alike.
The proposed legislation ranges from strengthening enforcement measures to requiring licensing for delivery services, as well as phasing out the sale and usage of Class III e-bikes—which have motors that have the capacity to exceed 25 miles per hour.
A recording of today’s press conference can be found here.
“We have an unacceptable situation where too many New Yorkers are being killed or injured due to E-bikes and E-scooters without the proper safeguards and enforcement. The Council will examine a record 23 legislative proposals to make our streets safer for all New Yorkers, and will also evaluate whether current laws are working and being properly enforced,” said City Council Speaker Julie Menin. “Today’s hearing gives us the opportunity to hear from city agencies, delivery workers, recreational e-bike users, and pedestrians alike. What we hear from them will directly inform the package of legislation this Council moves forward.”
Since 2020, use of micromobility devices has grown significantly, with approximately 680,000 adult New Yorkers reporting to have regularly used a bicycle at least several times a month in the last year. This increase can be attributed to the proliferation of delivery services sparked by the COVID pandemic, as well as the passage and adoption of Local Laws 72 and 73, which expanded authorization for e-bikes and e-scooters to operate on city streets. A 2024 report published by the NYC Comptroller’s Office found that e-bikes, e-scooters, and mopeds accounted for roughly 4.5% of all pedestrian injuries from 2020-2023. According to city data, the first six months of 2026 saw 738 injuries and 13 fatalities of e-bike riders, compared to 601 injuries and 10 fatalities over the same period in 2025.
An estimated 65,000 delivery workers use e-bikes/micromobility devices to make deliveries across the city, making up roughly 40% of micromobility traffic. Current law requires that individuals using motorized micromobility devices for commercial purposes comply with additional operational requirements – to be enforced by the New York Police Department (NYPD) and the Department of Transportation (DOT) – including carrying identification cards while making deliveries, wearing a helmet and reflective apparel, and completing a safety course administered by DOT. Businesses utilizing motorized micromobility devices for commercial purposes must issue each of its operators a unique identification card and provide safety equipment for both operators and vehicles. This hearing will question representatives from the NYPD and DOT on the enforcement of these requirements.
E-bikes, e-scooters, and pedal-assist commercial bicycles are subject to a fifteen mile per hour speed limit throughout New York City, enforced by the NYPD. This operating speed limit is distinct from the maximum motor-assisted speeds used to classify e-bikes under New York State Law: Class II e-bikes may provide motor assistance up to 20 mph, while Class III e-bikes may provide motor assistance up to 25 mph. Any e-bike or micromobility device whose motor can reach a speed greater than twenty-five miles per hour is not legal to be sold or operated in New York City. The sale of motorized micromobility devices is regulated by the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection, and the New York City Fire Department. Legislation proposed in this hearing seeks to further regulate the rental and sale of Class III devices.
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