Officials hope increased awareness of state laws will help prevent crashes involving young riders.

CHEEKTOWAGA, N.Y. — As the popularity of electric bikes and scooters continues to grow, Cheektowaga Police are reminding residents that New York law places age and safety restrictions on who can ride them and where they can be used.

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According to Cheektowaga Police Department Public Information Officer Captain Jeffrey Schmidt, riders must be at least 16 years old to legally operate an e-bike or e-scooter in New York State. He also said riding either device on sidewalks is prohibited.



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Schmidt said many parents are unaware of the laws, leading to young children riding electric bikes and becoming involved in crashes.

“It’s so important to us that we spread the message of the education because when you think bicycle, you think a pedal is a bicycle,” Schmidt said.

“We’re seeing operators as young as nine years old involved in accidents where they’re injured because their parents just aren’t aware that they shouldn’t be on these devices.”

Police are also emphasizing the difference between an e-bike and an electric motorcycle, which are subject to different legal requirements.

“The manufacturers don’t care — they’ll sell you whatever bike they can,” Schmidt said. “They’ll sell you an electric motorcycle and call it an e-bike, but an electric motorcycle has to be registered, has to be insured, and you have to have a license.”

Cheektowaga Police reported responding to 14 e-bike crashes in 2025. So far this year, officers have investigated four crashes involving e-bikes.

While enforcement is an option, Schmidt said the department’s current focus is on educating the public rather than issuing citations.

“Our goal is voluntary compliance,” Schmidt said. “We want to educate the community so they understand the way to operate these safely, and we want them to engage with that. Only if voluntary compliance fails are we going to move into issuing tickets.”

Police encourage parents and riders to familiarize themselves with New York’s e-bike and e-scooter laws before using the devices to help prevent injuries and keep everyone safe.