NYC Proposes Citywide 15 MPH Speed Limit For E-Bikes and E-Scooters

NEW YORK CITY — Mayor Eric Adams has announced a proposed citywide 15 miles per hour speed limit for e-bike and scooter riders on city streets.

Adams also renewed calls for the City Council to act on legislation that would create a Department of Sustainable Delivery and create a commercial delivery license to strengthen delivery worker, battery, and traffic safety.

The legislation has stalled in the council without a single public hearing on it, according to the Mayor's Office.

"I have heard, over and over again, from New Yorkers about how their safety — and the safety of their children — has been put at risk due to speeding e-bikes and e-scooters, and today, our administration is saying enough is enough: We are implementing a new 15-mile-per-hour speed limit for e-bikes and e-scooters that will make our streets safer,"Adams said in a statement.

The new rules would also mirror best practices for e-bike speeds in many other areas of the world, including the European Union.

"Thankfully, the vast majority of e-bike and stand-up e-scooter users operate their devices safely, but we are using every tool in our safety toolkit and studying worldwide best practices, to ensure every New Yorker is traveling at safe speeds on our streets," New York City Department of Transportation Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez said.

Adams also announced on Wednesday that the city is exploring installing additional physical safety measures in city parks, including Central Park and Prospect Park, to protect both riders of e-bikes and pedestrians walking near them.