nwmtnbiker
10 W
- Joined
- Oct 21, 2009
- Messages
- 77
morph999,
Although some claim NYC police turn a blind eye to enforcement, it is illegal to ride an electric bike on public roads in NY. From the NY DMV:
You cannot register any of the motorized devices from the list below in NYS. You cannot operate these devices on sidewalks, public streets or highways in NYS. These devices are motor vehicles, but they do not have the correct equipment or design for operation on roadways.
* Motorized Scooter - a device with a motor attached and a handlebar for a standing rider. An example of a motorized scooter is the device called the Go-ped®.
* Mini-bike - a small, motorized device with two wheels and created for off-road use. A mini-bike does not qualify as a moped, a motorcycle or an ATV.
* Dirt Bike - a motorized device like a motorcycle, but created for and used for off-road use. Some "dirt bikes" qualify as an ATV. These vehicles can register and operate off-road as an ATV.
* Go-Kart - a small, motorized device with four wheels, created for off-road use. You cannot register a go-kart as a motor vehicle or ATV because a go-kart does not have the same equipment.
* Motor-assisted Bicycle - a bicycle to which a small motor is attached. A motor-assisted bicycle does not qualify for a registration as a motorcycle, moped or ATV and does not have the same equipment.
These devices are not allowed on any street, highway, parking lot, sidewalk or other area that allows public motor vehicle traffic. You are subject to arrest if you operate one of these motorized vehicles and do not have a registration, driver license, inspection, insurance or correct equipment. The DMV can not provide any information about operation of these devices on private property. Contact the local authorities and property owners.
NYS DMV - Frequently Asked Questions
Even if NYC e-bike owners feel immune from existing laws, some NY e-bikers on other forums, who feel they cannot ride their e-bikes on public roads without the risk of being stopped and ticketed by local police are trying to get their fellow NY riders to write their elected officials in the state legislature urging them to vote for legislation currently before the NY Legislature that will make use of e-bikes on public streets legal. Hopefully, NYC e-bike riders will act, too. Even though NYC may turn a blind eye to enforcement of the existing ban, the law is on the books and even if a cyclist is obeying all traffic laws, if a police officer wants an excuse to pull the cyclist over and he or she is on an e-bike, they've got it.
FYI--here's a WIKI, that might be useful. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_bicycle_laws#United_States
Although some claim NYC police turn a blind eye to enforcement, it is illegal to ride an electric bike on public roads in NY. From the NY DMV:
You cannot register any of the motorized devices from the list below in NYS. You cannot operate these devices on sidewalks, public streets or highways in NYS. These devices are motor vehicles, but they do not have the correct equipment or design for operation on roadways.
* Motorized Scooter - a device with a motor attached and a handlebar for a standing rider. An example of a motorized scooter is the device called the Go-ped®.
* Mini-bike - a small, motorized device with two wheels and created for off-road use. A mini-bike does not qualify as a moped, a motorcycle or an ATV.
* Dirt Bike - a motorized device like a motorcycle, but created for and used for off-road use. Some "dirt bikes" qualify as an ATV. These vehicles can register and operate off-road as an ATV.
* Go-Kart - a small, motorized device with four wheels, created for off-road use. You cannot register a go-kart as a motor vehicle or ATV because a go-kart does not have the same equipment.
* Motor-assisted Bicycle - a bicycle to which a small motor is attached. A motor-assisted bicycle does not qualify for a registration as a motorcycle, moped or ATV and does not have the same equipment.
These devices are not allowed on any street, highway, parking lot, sidewalk or other area that allows public motor vehicle traffic. You are subject to arrest if you operate one of these motorized vehicles and do not have a registration, driver license, inspection, insurance or correct equipment. The DMV can not provide any information about operation of these devices on private property. Contact the local authorities and property owners.
NYS DMV - Frequently Asked Questions
Even if NYC e-bike owners feel immune from existing laws, some NY e-bikers on other forums, who feel they cannot ride their e-bikes on public roads without the risk of being stopped and ticketed by local police are trying to get their fellow NY riders to write their elected officials in the state legislature urging them to vote for legislation currently before the NY Legislature that will make use of e-bikes on public streets legal. Hopefully, NYC e-bike riders will act, too. Even though NYC may turn a blind eye to enforcement of the existing ban, the law is on the books and even if a cyclist is obeying all traffic laws, if a police officer wants an excuse to pull the cyclist over and he or she is on an e-bike, they've got it.
FYI--here's a WIKI, that might be useful. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_bicycle_laws#United_States
