Reckless e-bike riding has now reached emergency levels, NYC Mayor Eric Adams said on Thursday.
Just a day after Adams proposed a city-wide 15 mph speed limit on all e-bikes, his administration mandated Citi Bike lower its bike speed limit by June 20.
To combat an increasing number of fatalities from Citi Bike collisions in NYC, First Deputy Mayor Randy Mastro sent a letter on June 5 to Lyft, the owner of Citi Bike, ordering them through an emergency mandate to lower their current 18 mph, citing that the ride-share company has failed to do so after multiple requests.
“The city must take actions available to it now to protect pedestrians and Citi Bike riders,” the letter states. “In particular, we have requested that you immediately implement this new 15 mph speed limit for Citi Bike e-bikes, and you declined to do so. We therefore have determined that an emergency threat to life and property exists and now direct Citi Bike within 15 calendar days, to lower the speed at which the pedal-assist on Citi Bike e-bikes must disengage to 15 mph.”
According to the mayor’s office, e-bike expansion has “presented public safety challenges” that need to be addressed. Since 2021, there have been 11 fatalities involving Citi Bikes and 1,170 e-bike injuries, the mayor’s office said.
Mastro’s letter explains that if there is a threat to life or property, the city can alleviate the emergency by “removing, replacing, reinstalling or locking” the bikes and adjacent equipment.
Patrick Knoth, Citi Bike’s general manager, said he received the message loud and clear.
“We’ve received direction from City Hall and the Department of Transportation (DOT) to cap Citi Bike pedal-assist speeds at 15 mph,” Knoth said. “We’re working to meet that mandate and best serve our riders.”
The company is also working with the DOT on next steps for their service in light of the new requirement.
Adams’ proposal for a 15 mph speed limit for e-bikes would align with the current legal speed limit for e-scooters. Right now, e-bikes, depending on the class of bike, can legally travel up to 20 to 25 mph.
Meanwhile, as Adams continues to double down on his 15 mph e-bike proposal, NYC Council Member Keith Powers introduced similar legislation on Thursday night, calling for the same e-bike speed reduction.
Powers said he has been listening to constituents’ concerns around e-bikes and began planning a push for a lower speed limit earlier this year.
While Adams’ proposal calls for more accountability on app companies that employ delivery drivers who often use e-bikes to do their work, Powers’ bill would impose civil penalties of no more than $50 per violation.
“Biking is a crucial tool to tackle the climate crisis and help New Yorkers get around the city, but we also must address the well-documented concerns about safety,” the council member said. “Many New Yorkers are concerned about the reckless behavior we’ve seen from e-bike operators that haven’t been properly regulated, and it’s time to ensure that e-bikes can’t speed down the street, causing chaos.”
Powers has also called on state lawmakers to pass the Super Speeders bill that would require the installation of speed limiters in the vehicles of repeat traffic law offenders.
