Electric Bikes and Mopeds in NYC: What's Legal and What Isn't

Food delivery workers and others often use motorized vehicles to navigate the streets of New York City. The New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) has established different rules for each type of vehicle, including electric bicycles and mopeds. 

Documented created this guide to help you understand the rules governing the use of electric bikes and mopeds in NYC.

Rules for using electric bicycles:

Electric bicycles (e-bikes), which operate like a manual bicycle with the assistance of a rechargeable battery, do not require a driver’s license.

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• The maximum speed is between 20 to 25 miles per hour (approximately 32 to 40 kilometers).
• Wearing a helmet is mandatory for bicycles with a maximum speed of 25 miles per hour.
• You can ride the electric bicycle in bike lanes and on streets that have a maximum speed of less than 30 miles (48 kilometers) per hour.

Rules for using a moped

A mopeds or motorcycles typically do not have pedals. 

• There are three classes of mopeds in New York based on their speed. Class A has a maximum speed of 40 miles per hour, Class B has 30 miles per hour, and Class C has a maximum speed of 20 miles per hour. 
• Wearing a helmet and registering the moped with the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is mandatory for all classes. 
• For Class A: you need a motorcycle driver’s license (M/MJ). You can only ride in automobile lanes and cannot be ridden in bike lanes.
• For Classes B and C: you need a regular driver’s license. You can ride in automobile lanes or on the “right edge, except for left turns,” according to the DOT.

See the full list of requirements and the differences between bicycle classes here. 

Other recommendations and rules

• You can only use an electric bicycle or moped if you are 16 years or older. 
• You must wear a helmet by law if you are under 18, but it is recommended for everyone. 
• Tips for keeping your electric bicycle battery safe
• How to Retrieve Your Moped After It Was Confiscated By NYPD

Also read: How Undocumented Immigrants Can Get Their Driver’s License in New York