What’s the Deal With Electric Bikes in New York City?
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Electric bikes are extremely common in many parts of New York City and yet, certain types have been banned. This dates back to 2004 when gas powered kick scooters that could reach high speeds were becoming popular and a 19 year old young man died riding a gas powered pocket-rocket mini motorcycle cycle that hit a pothole. As a result of the noise, high speeds and even pollution caused by these unlicensed vehicles, the city passed a bill to ban certain types of motorized vehicles in the city. In more recent years as technology has changed, those older laws have become relevant to throttle operated electric bikes. These bikes are commonly used by delivery people in the city to quickly get food to customers because parking is expensive and traffic can be difficult. These imported illegal ebikes can be seen on almost every street around the restaurants in Brooklyn, NY and elsewhere but are usually ignored. The delivery people wear bright reflective clothing and follow riding laws closely enough that the police and other authorities seem to let it go. Also worth noting is that the top speed of nearly all electric bikes used by delivery people and most consumers is 20 mph vs. the 40 mph mentioned in the minutes and discussion around the law for gas powered scooters. Here’s the law referenced in the video that talks about high speed throttle operated scooters: http://legistar.council.nyc.gov/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=441172&GUID=3AB8E015-5DEF-45D5-A1CA-A466E2C3AC66 For those shops and riders who are using pedal assisted ebike technology, the law does not explicitly state that they are disallowed because they require human input in order to go. In fact, Propel Bikes is located in Brooklyn and sells many models that use assisted technologies but do not have throttles. You can learn more about their products at their website here: http://propelbikes.com/
Comments
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Insurance companies will try to make all electric vehicles require insurance.
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Electric vehicles are quiet and efficient.
It is the future.
Politicians tend to be morons.
Yes, delivery guys and very young kids behave selfishly.
This needs to be delt with. -
For anyone in GA.
"There are federal laws for e-bikes, but Georgia also has their own laws that are a little more lenient. E-bikes are classified as bikes that have a motor that is 1,000 W or smaller, and have a top speed of 20 MPH. You do not need a driver’s license to drive an electric bicycle in Georgia, but you will have to wear a helmet if you are under 16 years old." -
very informative video! nice work
- bike messenger, 10 years -
Fucking liberals regulating everything.
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Haha.. I know that corner well of Myrtle and Carlton well. That's right around the corner from our firehouse. One of the delivery guys from the corner Chinese restaurant damn near ran me over. Like a silent 2 wheeled ninja :)
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Nyc is over doing it with the Laws on E-bikes imo. People have many accidents in cars but they wont start "Cracking down" on Cars all a sudden. Danger Factors are DRIVER, Riding behavior, and Top Speed. Needing to Pedal does nothing but make the person sitting stuck in traffic feel superior. Bikes have an established history in NYC particularly in Courrier services where I've seen way Faster and wreckless behavior than any e-bike rider, and same as with Cars, Depends on who's using it.
From a Safety standpoint, and even Regulation Standpoint.. They should analyze Average Speed of Driving Cars, and if an E-Bike goes too much over that, require signal lights (relaying directional intent is Paramount in safety, Car or Bike, I alwaays Hand signal around cars) and if they need Tax revenue to justify street space/usage for those going above avg Speed traffic, then require registration like here in MA. The initial Torque for an E-bike may also help with public image cause if a bike doesn't move out of your way fast enough on a (Nyc!*)green light, then it becomes a problem.
Even if a bike is pure throttle but does not go excedingly fast, it should be left Alone because they are no different from a regular Bike! They take up wayy less space than a Car and are Quiet & Clean! I should get a Tax Break for riding one! 😤😛 (Let's go Solar!!) -
why the cars? it's a city for crissakes! it's not like a six mile walk for your groceries, lol.
get rid of most of the cars and NYC would be great. -
riding at low safe speeds keeps you safer. with a back protector when cycling. as long as you dont use ebikes at crazy speeds they are ok. not something you would want to use all the time. ideallly keep at or below running pace for physical safety if something breaks
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Thanks for a thoughtful and interesting video on this important and complex topic. Electric bikes make cycling so much more possible for so many people; it's important that this issue is sorted out in a kind and thoughtful way, in the best interests of all.
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Hey. see if you could do a video about new jersey elerctric bike laws.
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What did the actual authorities say? You can buy a gun in New York but you cannot carry it so what does it mean that they sell electric bikes in NYC. Confiscation of a multi thousand dollar bike is not trivial. Reading the legal documents available online it is clear that motorized bicycles are illegal because they cannot be registered. Video could have been a good starting point if you had talked to anyone in authority or at least not special interest.
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Cool video. Sometimes I feel like you're filming a little too close to your face or other people faces. Just a little feedback.
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For an european person, American laws are realy strange. So...., dozens of people die everyday due to guns. A 19 year old guy can have a war arsenal at home and buy it easily, but when that guy dies in an accident whith his electric bike or whatever, the law makers start to write laws to forbiden those "demo" and dangerous gizmos. oohhhh men.... :/
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I can ride most decent multi speed bikes 30+ mph. Should I be illegal?
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laws are fucking stupid
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Seperate bikes from the car drivers, if it is save billions of people can use it.
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Make special and save roads for e bikes in New York and it will be a great succes.
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Can you feel it? The choke hold of the long arm of the law?
The crushing pressure, under Big Brother's thumb?
Do you like it? You going to let them walk all over you?
Don't be a doormat! Rise up E-bikers! Revolution is nigh!
(not to be confused with the revolution of your bike wheels.) -
people should be able to buy throttle only bikes...its a fucking fraud that the law is trying to limit peoples choice...fuck the government of idiots and nigger monopolies of fraud
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