Mayor Adams Pushes New Rule to Limit E-Bike, Scooter Speeds

On June 4th, Wednesday, New York City Mayor Eric Adams proposed a speed limit of 15 miles per hour for e-bikes, scooters, and other pedal-assisted vehicles to help lower crash rates and enhance safety for both pedestrians and cyclists citywide.

The limit would apply to delivery bikes, scooters, and app-based transport services using bike lanes and city roads. Officials said the proposal mirrors safety policies already used in the European Union. Mayor Adams stated the new rule will help create safer streets for all New Yorkers.

Transportation Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez said most riders already follow safety rules, but incidents in parks and bike lanes have increased. In response, Mayor Adams is also pushing for the creation of a Department of Sustainable Delivery, a new city agency that would monitor delivery services, regulate speeds, and enforce traffic rules.

The proposal also includes plans to upgrade bike infrastructure, such as adding protective barriers in parks and more secure bike lanes. Mayor Adams stressed that controlling speed alone will not solve the problem and called on the City Council to act on the legislation, which has been stalled for months. The new agency would operate like the Taxi and Limousine Commission, with authority over delivery apps and drivers.

Some labor advocates, including the Workers Justice Project, criticized the plan, saying current enforcement unfairly targets immigrant delivery workers. They argue that companies, not riders, should be held responsible. But Mayor Adams and NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch insist that consistent enforcement is key to public safety.

Federal data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shows that setting speed limits can lower crash risks and reduce injury severity.

New York City has already built close to 90 miles of protected bike lanes and is reviewing safety improvements for Central and Prospect Parks. If approved, the speed cap will apply to all motor-assisted vehicles on public roads, parks, and greenways, with final rules to be developed with the City Council.