New York City is set to enforce a new 15 mph speed limit for electric bikes and scooters, a move aimed at enhancing safety amid rising concerns about reckless riding and sidewalk dangers. Mayor Adams emphasized the need for this limit due to public safety complaints from New Yorkers, particularly regarding the behavior of delivery riders. The new limit is the lowest among major US cities, aligning with regulations in much of Europe, and has taken rideshare companies like Lyft by surprise. Critics warn that the policy may punish responsible riders without significantly addressing unsafe practices.
"I have heard, over and over again, from New Yorkers about how their safety - and the safety of their children - has been put at risk due to speeding e-bikes and e-scooters," Adams said.
"Today, our administration is saying enough is enough: We are implementing a new 15 MPH speed limit for e-bikes and e-scooters that will make our streets safer."
The plan caught e-bike rideshare companies like Lyft off-guard, with no apparent heads-up that the company's shared e-bikes operated in the city could no longer be legally ridden at their current top speeds.
Critics argue that a hard 15 mph limit could unfairly penalize law-abiding riders while doing little to deter the actual bad actors.
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