New York State Senate Bill S1357 (Definition of ebike)

See - Motorized devices that cannot be registered in New York
What vehicles cannot be registered or operated on New York State sidewalks, streets or highways?

  • You cannot register or operate any of the motorized devices from the list below on any street, highway, parking lot, sidewalk or other area in New York State that allows public motor vehicle traffic. You may be arrested if you do.
  • 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 doesn’t qualify as a moped, a motorcycle or an ATV.
  • Off-road Motorcycle (Dirt Bike) - A motorcycle designed for use on off-road trails or in off-road competitions. Unless exempt, these vehicles must be registered as an ATV. See register an ATV for more information.
  • Go-Kart - a small, motorized device with four wheels, created for off-road use. You can’t register a go-kart as a motor vehicle or ATV because a go-kart doesn’t have the same equipment.
  • Golf Cart (also referred to as Golf Car or Neighborhood Electric Vehicle) - a small motorized device with four wheels designed to carry people. You can’t register a golf cart as an ATV. Many low speed vehicles are similar in appearance to a golf cart, and can be registered and driven on New York State highways. 1
  • Motor-assisted Bicycle - a bicycle to which a small motor is attached. A motor-assisted bicycle doesn’t qualify for a registration as a motorcycle, moped or ATV and doesn’t have the same equipment.
Click to expand...

At present, eBike use can result in fine or incarceration.
Recourse is appeal >> appeal >> appeal .. federal court appeal.

Fortunately, NYS has not been prosecuting eBike use except in the instances of excessive speed or additional hazardous behavior.
But "legality" will promote greater availability, use and acceptance!
 
It will take a concerted effort of prodding congressmen to push the Bill through both Houses in the same year!

New York State citizens only ...
Finding your Senator
Finding your Assemblymen

This Sessions version of eBike Bill

Senate Bill S2888
2017-2018 Legislative Session

Defines the term electric assisted bicycle


Assembly Bill A1018
2017-2018 Legislative Session

Defines the term electric assisted bicycle

Bills limit eBikes to 750w and 20mph ...
Helmet use required!

Added:
Congressmen can be contacted and comments left about Bills from above links!

Assembly site for eBike Bill
 
2017-2016:
Senate Bill S2888: https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2017/s2888/amendment/original
Assembly Bill A1018: https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2017/a1018/amendment/original
A1018 Summary: http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?default_fld=&bn=A00091&term=2001&Summary=Y&Votes=Y

2015-2016:
Senate Bill S997: https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2015/s997/amendment/original
Mar 24, 2015 - Transportation committee Vote: YEA/NAY:14/0
May 19, 2015 - Floor Vote: YEA/NAY:59/3
Assembly Bill A233: https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2015/a233/amendment/original
A233 Votes: http://nyassembly.gov/leg/?bn=A00233&term=2015
BILL: A233 DATE: 05/17/2016 AYE/NAY:22/3 Action: Favorable refer to committee Codes
BILL: A233 DATE: 05/24/2016 AYE/NAY:14/7 Action: Favorable

2013-2014:
Senate Bill S390a: https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2013/s390/amendment/a
Jun 03, 2014 - Transportation committee Vote: YEA/NAY:14/0
Jan 29, 2013 - Transportation committee Vote: YEA/NAY:16/0
Assembly Bill A1618a: https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2013/a1618/amendment/a
A1618A Summary: http://nyassembly.gov/leg/?bn=A01618&term=2013

"Committed to Rules" refers to a Bill being considered by the Rules committee. This is where the Bill dies. The committee "Chair" - Dean G Skelos can singly decline to have the Bill considered and discard it.
4/15/2014 - Bill has been committed to the Transportation Committee
The Chair - Joseph E Robach can singly delay or discard the Bill by not "considering" it.
This Bill is passed, usually unanimously, every year! ... in the Assembly ... but a single individual discards it every single year in the Senate.

2011-2012:
Assembly Bill A1350: https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2011/a1350/amendment/original
A1350 Votes: http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?default_fld=&bn=A01350&term=2011&Summary=Y&Votes=Y
BILL: A1350 DATE: 03/07/2011 MOTION: YEA/NAY:129/5
BILL: A1350 DATE: 01/23/2012 MOTION: YEA/NAY:136/4

2009-2010:
Senate Bill S4014: https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2009/s4014/amendment/original
Jan 26, 2010 - Transportation committee Vote: YEA/NAY:19/0
Assembly Bill A2393: https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2009/a2393/amendment/original
A2393 Votes: http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?default_fld=&bn=A01350&term=2011&Summary=Y&Votes=Y
BILL: A2393 DATE: 03/02/2009 MOTION: YEA/NAY:127/1
BILL: A2393 DATE: 02/22/2010 MOTION: YEA/NAY:145/0

2007-2008:
A189 Votes: http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?default_fld=&bn=A00189&term=2007&Summary=Y&Votes=Y
BILL: A189 DATE: 02/26/2007 MOTION: YEA/NAY:136/0
BILL: A189 DATE: 01/23/2008 MOTION: YEA/NAY:140/1

2005-2006:
A71 Votes: http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?default_fld=&bn=A00071&term=2005&Summary=Y&Votes=Y
BILL: A71 DATE: 05/02/2005 MOTION: YEA/NAY:138/0
BILL: A71 DATE: 01/17/2006 MOTION: YEA/NAY:135/0

2003-2004:
A588 Votes: http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?default_fld=&bn=A00588&term=2003&Summary=Y&Votes=Y
BILL: A588 DATE: 03/31/2003 MOTION: YEA/NAY:147/0
BILL: A588 DATE: 03/08/2004 MOTION: YEA/NAY:144/0

2001-2002:
A91 Votes: http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?default_fld=&bn=A00091&term=2001&Summary=Y&Votes=Y
BILL: A91 DATE: 05/30/2002 MOTION: YEA/NAY:138/0
 
Matador said:
2017-2016:
Senate Bill S2888: https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2017/s2888/amendment/original
Assembly Bill A1018: https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2017/a1018/amendment/original
A1018 Summary: http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?default_fld=&bn=A00091&term=2001&Summary=Y&Votes=Y
Click to expand...

S2888 - Summary

Defines the term "electric assisted bicycle" for purposes of the applicability of the vehicle and traffic law; requires persons sixteen years of age or older to wear a helmet when operating an electric assisted bicycle.
Click to expand...

Thought the bit about neck braces a bit "over the top"... and watts up that guys have to wear "athletic supporters"? ... but perhaps I misread... Will there be some limit on the size of codpieces?

1c93254c7e195259ec2768f5fc9f397f--knight-armor-medieval-armor.jpg
 
Time for more stealthy ebikes, which only means smaller controllers like Grins mini powerful controller. Then riding slow pedal power speeds, or just above pedal power speeds. Or just go full blast and register and insure it as a "motorcycle"
 
NYC Mayor eases back on city e-bike bans and confiscation. Accepts Class 1 e-bikes as legal bicycles.
.
http://www1.nyc.gov/office-of-the-mayor/news/165-18/mayor-de-blasio-new-framework-clarify-legality-pedal-assist-bicycles?mc_cid=d035ddb5e0&mc_eid=d9eaf8be98
.
Hopefully the State will pass their long held up bill doing the same this session.
 
.
... New Yorkers time to post up your opinions!

New York State eBike Bill looks to require License, registration and insurance for the Federally legal "bicycle".

2019 eBike Bill
 
DrkAngel said:
.
... New Yorkers time to post up your opinions!

New York State eBike Bill looks to require License, registration and insurance for the Federally legal "bicycle".

2019 eBike Bill
Click to expand...
I posted up my comment:
"What is all this nonsense about registering and insuring electric bicycles? Federal law classifies these electric assisted bicycles as "bicycles, not motorized vehicles" and the NY Senate and Assembly have both agreed and separately passed supporting Bills, though not in the same session.

Listed electric assist-speed does not even equal the capability of a fit cyclist! Why are you denying similar capability and access to the less healthy or somewhat handicapped?
More than a decade ago, I purchased an electric assist bicycle, because my heart and lungs were in bad enough shape that I could not manage to pedal a basic bike without suffering exhaustion. With the electric assist (pedaling also) my health and capability has progressed to the point that I can now climb a flight of stairs with gusto and without suffering. I credit the electric bike with extending, (likely saving), my life and, certainly, making my life more enjoyable and worth living!

I recommend you to pass a law just supporting-upholding the Federal law, ... giving normal bicycle capability to the less healthy or handicapped!"

Waiting on Moderator to OK - post
 
At a bare minimum, the bill needs to be changed as follows, to avoid excluding many, many E-bikes now available:

* The power limit needs to be 760 (or even 751) watts, not 749 watts as written. What's the point in allowing more than 500 watts if there are no 600 or 700 watt bikes for sale?

* The powered speed limit needs to be "less than 21MPH" (not 20MPH) as virtually all E-bikes have a throttle-only limit of 20MPH.

* The part about being unable to go faster than the above speed by pedaling needs to be changed to "no more than 25MPH speed, as measured by radar" because limiting the top pedal-assist speed to 20MPH is both unworkable and dangerous to traffic flow.

* The part about registration and insurance is likely unworkable, as it would require a VIN, and few if any E-bikes have VIN plates on them.

I'm not sure if this law was written by someone trying to sneakily ban almost all existing E-bikes while seeming to allow them, or who just doesn't know enough about E-bikes.
 
They are trying a (foolish) sneaky ban. It will never even come to a vote. Mayor DiBlasio issued an executive order expressly legalizing class 1+2 ebikes in NYC.
 
sendler2112 said:
They are trying a (foolish) sneaky ban. It will never even come to a vote. Mayor DiBlasio issued an executive order expressly legalizing class 1+2 ebikes in NYC.
Click to expand...

But by proposing bills like this, instead of good, workable bills, the issue gets kicked down the road.
 
Wheh!

Found a more proper eBike Bill up for consideration.

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2019/A2606
2019 Assembly eBike Bill

Show your support!
 
Why exclude anyone under 16 and exclude passengers?
.
Notwithstanding the provisions of section twelve hundred thirty-
27 eight of this article, no person less than sixteen years of age shall
28 operate or ride as a passenger upon an electric assisted bicycle, and no
29 person sixteen years of age or older shall allow any person less than
30 sixteen years of age to operate or ride as a passenger upon such bicy-
31 cle.

.
https://legislation.nysenate.gov/pdf/bills/2019/A2606
.
 
sendler2112 said:
Why exclude anyone under 16 and exclude passengers?
.
Notwithstanding the provisions of section twelve hundred thirty-
27 eight of this article, no person less than sixteen years of age shall
28 operate or ride as a passenger upon an electric assisted bicycle, and no
29 person sixteen years of age or older shall allow any person less than
30 sixteen years of age to operate or ride as a passenger upon such bicy-
31 cle.

.
https://legislation.nysenate.gov/pdf/bills/2019/A2606
.
Click to expand...

Offhand: I believe 16 is the age at which a learner's permit for a car is issued in NY.
 
DrkAngel said:
Wheh!

Found a more proper eBike Bill up for consideration.

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2019/A2606
2019 Assembly eBike Bill

Show your support!
Click to expand...

This is the same crappy bill I dissected above. It would ban almost every E-Bike except the Trailz and a few other slow bikes. (And the Trailz is no longer sold.)
 
sendler2112 said:
How does the much better A2606 ban any ebikes up to 750 Watts?
.
https://legislation.nysenate.gov/pdf/bills/2019/A2606
.
Click to expand...

HAVE A MAXIMUM SPEED OF LESS THAN TWENTY MILES PER HOUR ON A PAVED LEVEL
SURFACE WHEN POWERED SOLELY BY SUCH A MOTOR WHILE RIDDEN BY AN OPERATOR
WHO WEIGHS ONE HUNDRED SEVENTY POUNDS; AND BE INCAPABLE OF FURTHER
INCREASING THE SPEED OF THE DEVICE WHEN HUMAN POWER IS USED TO PROPEL
THE DEVICE AT OR MORE THAN TWENTY MILES PER HOUR.
Click to expand...

The "less than twenty miles per hour" excludes all the bikes that meet the federal standard of 20MPH maximum speed and have a maximum speed of 20MPH. The part about not being able to go even 20MPH with pedaling excludes any bike that will go 20MPH WITH PEDALING. It's sneaky, all right.
 
LeftieBiker said:
HAVE A MAXIMUM SPEED OF LESS THAN TWENTY MILES PER HOUR ON A PAVED LEVEL
SURFACE WHEN POWERED SOLELY BY SUCH A MOTOR WHILE RIDDEN BY AN OPERATOR
WHO WEIGHS ONE HUNDRED SEVENTY POUNDS; AND BE INCAPABLE OF FURTHER
INCREASING THE SPEED OF THE DEVICE WHEN HUMAN POWER IS USED TO PROPEL
THE DEVICE AT OR MORE THAN TWENTY MILES PER HOUR.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
It's ok. As long as you do not weigh exactly 170lbs, the maximum speed does not apply to you. ;)
 
amberwolf said:
LeftieBiker said:
HAVE A MAXIMUM SPEED OF LESS THAN TWENTY MILES PER HOUR ON A PAVED LEVEL
SURFACE WHEN POWERED SOLELY BY SUCH A MOTOR WHILE RIDDEN BY AN OPERATOR
WHO WEIGHS ONE HUNDRED SEVENTY POUNDS; AND BE INCAPABLE OF FURTHER
INCREASING THE SPEED OF THE DEVICE WHEN HUMAN POWER IS USED TO PROPEL
THE DEVICE AT OR MORE THAN TWENTY MILES PER HOUR.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
It's ok. As long as you do not weigh exactly 170lbs, the maximum speed does not apply to you. ;)
Click to expand...

Yes, if only... Keep in mind that this may be a dead serious attempt at derailing legalization.
 
How do they compensate for people that weigh a little or a lot......more/less then the weight as defined as a person. Some people weigh 250lbs, others up into the 300's and much more, 350+. Thats double the weight as defined.
 
Well, it's a good question, how does this work? You're riding along ... you're not 170lbs, it isn't really a level surface, etc. So is the law unenforceable? I would say not at all, they just have some other idea how to apply it.

One possibility is a way to look at your bicycle and determine whether it would be able to perform above the legal limit, like a certification sticker. Another possibility is that they will limit enforcement to offenders who are obviously over that limit. Some guy streaking along at 30mph.

These approaches have their down sides too, and that's something you can talk about while engaging with your representatives (who I hope are more committed to represent you than mine are me.) If it's a social justice warrior, you can point out that the latter is a kind of discretionary enforcement standard that always tends to be applied unequally to different kinds of people. The sticker is an invitation to fraud etc.

"... incapable of further increasing the speed of the device when human power is used to propel the device at or more than 20 mph" What this means to me is, at 19 mph you can get a boost from the motor that will increase your speed. At 20 mph, the only way you can go faster is pedal, because the motor is incapable of further increasing the speed.

That's the apparent meaning, and it's the only sensible meaning. I'm a long way from NYC, but I assume you have hills where cyclists are able to coast at speeds over 20mph, and they leave that out of the formula - that isn't human power, it's just gravity. It isn't accounted for because they aren't really interested in how you exceed 20mph, as long as it isn't with motor assistance. And it means you don't have to worry about whether the exact limit 19.9mph vs. 20mph, as long as you're willing to go through the motions of pedaling.
 
donn said:
Well, it's a good question, how does this work?
Click to expand...

Well, I will tell you exactly how it works. It goes like this, most beat cops have no clue, non!
From there you make your own conclusions.
They would normally just write you up on some fake violation and bind you up in a courtroom with a traffic judge. Which is why a common sense approach is really needed. Don't be doing wheelies, and being aggressive towards families walking their dog. Every geographic area is different, and New York seems to be a tad different in many respects.
 
"... incapable of further increasing the speed of the device when human power is used to propel the device at or more than 20 mph" What this means to me is, at 19 mph you can get a boost from the motor that will increase your speed. At 20 mph, the only way you can go faster is pedal, because the motor is incapable of further increasing the speed.

That's the apparent meaning, and it's the only sensible meaning. I'm a long way from NYC, but I assume you have hills where cyclists are able to coast at speeds over 20mph, and they leave that out of the formula - that isn't human power, it's just gravity. It isn't accounted for because they aren't really interested in how you exceed 20mph, as long as it isn't with motor assistance. And it means you don't have to worry about whether the exact limit 19.9mph vs. 20mph, as long as you're willing to go through the motions of pedaling.
Top
Click to expand...

You may well be right about the part above 20MPH, but the part about the speed limit for motor assist being below 20MPH could absolutely by used to disqualify all of the bikes that meet the federal standard by cutting assist ABOVE 20mph. They would be 1MPH faster under motor assist than would be allowed in NY. And remember, as I've written elsewhere: the motorist or bicyclist doesn't get to interpret traffic laws - that is done solely by the legal system, for better or worse.

Here is the full relevant text. Emphasis added by me:

"THE ELECTRIC ASSISTED BICYCLE'S ELECTRIC
MOTOR SHALL: HAVE A POWER OUTPUT OF LESS THAN SEVEN HUNDRED FIFTY WATTS;
HAVE A MAXIMUM SPEED OF LESS THAN TWENTY MILES PER HOUR ON A PAVED LEVEL
SURFACE WHEN POWERED SOLELY BY SUCH A MOTOR WHILE RIDDEN BY AN OPERATOR
WHO WEIGHS ONE HUNDRED SEVENTY POUNDS; AND BE INCAPABLE OF FURTHER
INCREASING THE SPEED OF THE DEVICE WHEN HUMAN POWER IS USED TO PROPEL
THE DEVICE AT OR MORE THAN TWENTY MILES PER HOUR."
 
This wording of law has been well understood in Europe for almost a decade and functions well for millions of ebike users. I will be happy when it finally passes since right now I am a don't ask/ don't tell outlaw.
 
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