New York Attorney General Letitia James today issued a consumer alert reminding businesses, consumers, and families of New York’s important legal requirements for e-bikes and e-scooters. Bicycles with electric assistance, also known as e-bikes, and scooters with electric assistance, also known as e-scooters, are subject to strict safety requirements and speed limits in New York. After recent tragic deaths in New York City, Attorney General James is reminding New Yorkers that marketing and selling vehicles to New Yorkers as “e-bikes” or “e-scooters” that exceed state speed or power limits for those vehicles is a violation of New York law. Two-wheeled electric-powered vehicles that travel beyond those speed limits are not e-bikes or e-scooters under New York law. They may be e-motos, mopeds, or motorcycles that are subject to additional registration, licensing, and insurance requirements. New Yorkers are encouraged to file complaints with the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) about businesses putting New Yorkers in danger by illegally selling these vehicles by falsely labeling them as e-bikes and e-scooters.
“Our laws set limits on e-bikes and e-scooters to help keep New Yorkers safe, and the riders and companies who ignore them are putting everyone on our streets in danger,” said Attorney General James. “I urge businesses and consumers throughout our state to follow the law and keep unlicensed and unregistered motor vehicles off our streets. No one should have to fear for their lives when crossing the street, and I encourage New Yorkers to follow the law and report those selling illegal e-bikes and e-scooters to my office.”
The increased use of electric vehicles that exceed the legal limits set for e-bikes and e-scooters has led to a surge in injuries and fatal accidents in New York. The risks of these vehicles are higher when retailers misleadingly sell them as e-bikes or e-scooters, instead of as e-motos, motorcycles, or mopeds…