BILL NUMBER: S2527
SPONSOR: FELDER
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to requiring
license plates for bicycles, bicycles with electric assist and electric
scooters
 
PURPOSE:
Requires all bicycles, bicycles for electric assist and electric scoot-
ers in New York City to have a license plate
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 amends the title of article 34 of the vehicle and traffic law.
Section 2 amends the vehicle and traffic law by adding a new section
1244 that requires bicycles, bicycles for electric assist and electric
scooters in a city of one million or more, to have a license issued by
the Department of Motor Vehicles. The license plate will have a distinc-
tive number assigned to it that corresponds to a certificate of regis-
tration. The design of the license plate will be determined by the
department and shall be conspicuously displayed.
Section 3 is the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
On Apr. 25, 1901, New York Governor Benjamin Odell Jr. signed into law a
bill requiring owners of motor vehicles to register with the state and
have a license plate(1). It was the first State in the nation to require
license plates for automobiles.
As Bicycles, E-bikes and E-scooters grow in popularity, it is time for
New York to once again lead the country by requiring these types of
vehicles to have a distinctive license plate issued by the DMV. Opera-
tors of bicycles, E-bikes and E-scooters have all the same rights and
are subject to all of the duties and regulations applicable to drivers
of motor vehicles. For some reason, these rules do not extend to license
plates, which are a simple way to better regulate and enforce the law
for the growing number of bicycles, E-bikes and E-scooters in New York
City.
License plates for bicycles, E-bikes and E-scooters is a concept that is
growing in support. "I think ideas like license plates certainly need to
be considered," said Mayor de Blasio. "We're going into a new world
where more and more people are biking - and that's great - but in some
ways we have to catch up with that reality, so I think that's the kind
of idea that now needs to be explored.(2)
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2021/22: S7206 - Referred to Transportation Committee
2023/24: S1372 - Referred to Transportation Committee
 
FISCAL IMPACT:
To be determined.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.
1. https://time.com/4301055/ license-pate-historyj
2. https://nypost.com/2021/05/12/ mayoral-candidates-rip-de- blasiosbi-
kelicenseiplate-prpposal/