STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — A new 15 mph speed limit for e-bikes has gone into effect in New York City and Mayor Eric Adams is urging riders to slow down.
The speed limit implementation comes after the Adams administration submitted a final rule in the City Record in September, as noted in a press announcement from the mayor’s office. The limit restricts e-bikes, e-scooters and pedal-assist commercial bicycles to the same speed limit in place for stand-up e-scooters.
“Under our administration, New York City is leading the nation in keeping our streets safe for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers alike, and I am proud that our work has led to traffic fatalities dropping to some of the lowest levels in New York City history,” said Adams. “Our administration has always been one that listens to communities and takes action based on those needs, and, time and again, we have heard New Yorkers from across the five boroughs share their concerns about e-bikes speeding recklessly through our streets.
“Today (Friday), I am thrilled to be delivering for communities across our city by lowering the speed limit for e-bikes to 15 mph,” he added. “Lowering the speed limit will protect e-bike riders, pedestrians, and everyone who shares our streets.”
As New Yorkers adjust to this new law, the focus will be on education first and enforcement second, including the installation of new signage in key cycling corridors and issuing warnings to first time offenders, the announcement said.
” To be clear, this isn’t about criminalization; it’s about creating safer, fairer conditions for all New Yorkers,’’ the mayor said.
As riders continue to adjust to this new limit, the NYPD will issue warnings, use the 15 mph rule as a secondary violation when other offenses are committed and install digital speed signs alongside prominent bike lanes.
In addition to warnings and installing signage, the New York City Department of Transportation and the NYPD will also conduct outreach in an effort to make e-bike riders aware of the new limit. The outreach includes on-the-ground efforts as well as safety messaging on LinkNYC kiosks and push notifications via NotifyNYC. There are also plans to spread educational materials to major app and delivery worker organizations to maximize exposure.
It’s the belief of the Adams administration that the speed limit will decrease traffic fatalities. According to the release, through the first three quarters of 2025, traffic fatalities dropped by 18% compared to the same period last year.
As noted by Adams’ office, the new limit mirrors the restriction imposed by the European Union, which also implemented a speed limit for e-bikes of 25 kilometers-per-hour (about 15 mph) in bike lanes.
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