The most important, quickest e-bikes might quickly require a license and registration, based on a proposal made by Gov. Hochul in her annual State of the State plan Tuesday.
Hochul’s proposal would make the heaviest of the so-called “Class 3” e-bikes — which have handlebar throttles along with pedals and might journey at speeds of 25 mph or extra — mopeds within the eyes of the legislation.
Any Class 3 bike weighing greater than 100 kilos can be reclassified, requiring a driver’s license and registration — full with license plates — based on the plan. Mopeds are additionally banned from operation within the metropolis’s bike lanes.
Underneath metropolis legislation, Class 3 bikes are restricted to 25 mph, and riders are required to put on helmets. Apart from that, although, the quick bikes are at present handled the identical as slower Class 1 or Class 2 e-bikes — or conventional pedal-powered cycles — and are allowed in bike lanes.
Hochul’s proposal would additionally give metropolis authorities the power to decrease the pace restrict inside bike lanes.
The proposed legislation change wouldn’t apply to any Class 3 bikes weighing lower than 100 kilos, which might nonetheless be allowed in bike lanes and wouldn’t require a license or registration.
Twenty-four folks had been killed using bikes in New York Metropolis final 12 months, 17 of them on e-bikes.
That’s down from 2023, when 23 folks died whereas using e-bikes, greater than 3 times the seven individuals who died that 12 months on conventional, pedal-powered bicycles — a bleak statistic that sparked an NYC Division of Transportation public training marketing campaign in regards to the powered two-wheelers.
Hochul’s proposal comes amid efforts by some New York Metropolis Council members to require registration and licensing for all e-bikes no matter weight or high pace.
Initially Printed: January 14, 2025 at 6:30 PM EST
