City Officials Launch Multi-Pronged Crackdown on Illegal E-Bikes and Scooters

New York City officials are moving to address the proliferation of illegal electric bikes and scooters following a string of fatal accidents this summer. City Council Speaker Julie Menin announced that a package of 17 bills will be introduced this fall, aimed at curbing the use of high-speed, non-compliant devices on city streets.

Legislative efforts are set to culminate in a public hearing on September 30, led by Menin alongside Council Members Shaun Abreu, Harvey Epstein, and Oswald Feliz. The proposed measures include a ban on Class 3 bicycles capable of reaching 25 miles per hour, stricter data-sharing requirements for third-party delivery platforms, and the creation of a task force dedicated to street design. Other potential mandates involve increased penalties for violations and new insurance requirements for delivery services.

"Every New Yorker deserves to move around our city freely and safely," Menin stated, noting that while existing laws are in place, they have not been adequately enforced. According to data cited by the Speaker’s office, collisions involving e-bikes have risen by 31.7 percent in 2026 compared to the previous year, with over 500 incidents recorded thus far.

Under current city regulations, devices classified as illegal include motorized stand-up scooters that weigh more than 100 pounds or exceed 20 miles per hour, e-bikes capable of speeds over 25 miles per hour, and seated mopeds lacking valid identification numbers.

Parallel to the Council’s legislative push, Mayor Zohran Mamdani has taken executive action against the supply chain. On Wednesday, the Mayor announced that cease-and-desist orders have been issued to 42 online retailers, including major platforms like Amazon, Walmart, and Wayfair. These companies have until August 18 to comply with the order or face fines of $2,000 per infraction. The Mayor emphasized that the burden of legal compliance should rest with corporations rather than individual riders.

While the Mayor expressed a willingness to collaborate with the Council on safety initiatives, he signaled opposition to proposals that would require mandatory state registration for e-bike riders. "I do not believe that that would actually improve street safety," Mamdani said during a press conference, adding that his administration remains focused on addressing the root causes of the recent fatalities.

These developments follow several high-profile tragedies, including the death of a 17-year-old on Centre Street last week and a fatal collision involving a stand-up scooter on the Upper West Side last month. City data indicates that between 2017 and 2025, illegal high-speed e-bikes were involved in 54 percent of all e-bike rider fatalities.