In a city that never slows down, bikes will now have to go slower. In New York City, all e-bikes from the Citi Bike bike-sharing system will be limited to a maximum speed of 15 miles per hour, following a regulation introduced by Mayor Eric Adams’ administration aimed at improving road safety.
The measure, which affects approximately 20,000 pedal-assist electric bikes across all five boroughs, was confirmed by a spokesperson for Lyft, the company that took over operational management of the system. Meanwhile, Citi Bike’s general manager, Patrick Knoth, explained that the action was taken following guidance from City Hall and the Department of Transportation, assuring that the goal remains to provide users with efficient connectivity throughout the city.
Before this change, the maximum allowed speed was about 18 mph. Citi Bike had proposed installing speedometers on the bikes to allow riders to monitor their speed themselves, but the proposal was rejected by Deputy Mayor Randy Mastro. In a strongly worded letter, Mastro cited concerning data: since 2021, there have been nine deaths and 1,170 injuries linked to e-bikes in the network.
The NYPD will be responsible for pulling over riders exceeding the 15 mph limit and violators will be fined. Fines are expected to start at $100. For repeat offenses, e-bikes may be impounded, while for delivery riders using apps like Uber Eats or DoorDash, repeated violations could lead to suspension from these platforms.
The new speed cap will also apply to other private e-bike users. The administration’s intent is clear: to maintain a balance between the growing use of alternative mobility and the protection of public safety.
Mayor Adams has touted the work done in the Big Apple to encourage two-wheel transportation but has also reiterated the responsibility to protect all road users.
Meanwhile, the numbers keep rising: last May, 69% of Citi Bike trips were made on electric bikes, despite the additional cost compared to traditional bicycles. It’s an evident success that now must adjust to a slower pace.
