BILL NUMBER: S2386
SPONSOR: FELDER
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to requiring
bicycles with electric assist and electric scooters be inspected and
registered with the department of motor vehicles and carry liability
insurance
 
PURPOSE:
Requires bicycles with electric assist and electric scooters be regis-
tered with the Department of Motor Vehicles, inspected and carry liabil-
ity insurance in order to promote public safety.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 amends the vehicle and traffic law by adding two new sections
1244 and 1245 respectively providing for registration and inspection of
bicycles with electric assist, and insurance coverage.
Section 2 amends the vehicle and traffic law by adding two new sections
1290 and 1291 respectively providing for registration and inspection of
electric scooters, and insurance coverage.
Section 3 is the effective date
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Reckless motorbikes/e-bikes and e-scooters are a constant danger.
Sadly, accidents involving these e-micro mobility vehicles are becoming
increasingly common and New York is seeing a steady stream of injured
victims left in their wake. The simple and right solution must be to
register and equip all e-micro mobility vehicles with license plates,
make sure they are inspected annually, and that the driver is carrying
liability insurance.
These commonsense solutions will better protect pedestrians and e-micro
mobility riders. By requiring riders to carry insurance in the same
manner, as motor vehicles, both riders and pedestrians will be able to
receive help in the event of a collision. This is also true for requir-
ing vehicle inspection, which includes inspection of the battery. In New
York City, there were 268 lithium-ion battery fires in 2023, which
killed at least 18 people and injured another 150.1
As e-micro mobility vehicles become increasingly popular, treating them
the same as motor vehicles will facilitate better enforcement of traffic
laws, promoting public safety and saving lives.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2023/2024: S.9180 - Referred to Transportation Committee
 
FISCAL IMPACT:
To be determined.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately
1 https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/29/ nyregion/ebike-charging-
stationnyc.html