On the heels of a July 29 crash that killed a teenage e-moto rider, state Attorney General Letitia James last week issued an alert reminding consumers and businesses alike that it is illegal to buy or sell microbility devices that are marketed as e-bikes or e-scooters but can exceed New York’s strict speed limits for the two-wheelers.
James’ office’s alert makes clear that two-wheeled electric-assisted vehicles that go faster than 25 miles per hour inside of New York City and 20 mph across the rest of the state do not qualify as e-bikes or e-scooters under state law. Instead, New York classifies them as e-motos, mopeds, or motorcycles, all of which may require additional licensing, registration, and insurance compared to e-bikes and e-scooters.
