BILL NUMBER: S5532
SPONSOR: HOYLMAN-SIGAL
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to including a
class three bicycle with electric assist in the definition of limited
use motorcycle
 
PURPOSE:
This bill classifies class three e-bikes as mopeds, requiring that such
e-bikes be registered with the Department of Motor Vehicles and that
operations of such e-bikes be licensed by the Department of Motor Vehi-
cles.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section one of this bill amends Section 121-b of Vehicle and Traffic Law
by adding class three bicycles with electric assist to the definition of
limited use motorcycles.
Section two of the bill relates to the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Class three e-bikes look like mopeds, drive like mopeds, but because of
the current operation of New York law, are not regulated like mopeds.
Specifically, class three e-bikes have throttles and can reach speeds of
up to 25 miles per hour - faster than many mopeds. However, unlike
operators of mopeds, operators of class three e-bikes do not need driv-
er's licenses and do not need to register their vehicles with the state.
Moreover, class three e-bike operators can use bike lanes at dangerous
speeds. The law should treat class three vehicles akin to the limited
use motorcycles that they effectively are.
This bill will require drivers of class three e-bikes to possess a driv-
er's license and registration to operate such e-bikes. In doing so, it
will keep the fastest and most dangerous e-bikes out of bike lanes and
improve safety for pedestrians and other cyclists.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New bill
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
To be determined.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect 180 days after it becomes law.

Statutes affected:
S5532: 121-b vehicle and traffic law