New York's Attorney General is warning New Yorkers to be careful when buying e-bikes or e-scooters, saying some may not be legal, according to News 12 New York. The station reported the warning alongside legislation that supporters say could help.
The Attorney General says companies are selling high-powered vehicles as legal e-bikes, according to the report. Companies should not be able to pretend that their dangerous and illegal products are legal, the office said, accusing them of preying on New Yorkers.
Legal e-bikes in New York have to stay under 750 watts and 20 miles per hour, the Attorney General says, according to News 12 New York. Vehicles above those limits fall outside what is allowed.
The warning follows a pair of recent crashes, the station reported. Just a few days ago, a 70-year-old died after riding an illegal e-bike, and a few months earlier a crash at the Queensborough Bridge involved an illegal high-speed scooter.
Residents who spoke with News 12 described close calls sharing the road with e-bikes and scooters. Supporters pointed to the death of a 17-year-old as they called for tighter rules on what stores can sell.
They want the City Council to amend and pass Councilmember Crystal Hudson's Ride Safe, Ride Right bill, according to the report. The bill would ban the sale of new e-bikes capable of exceeding 20 miles per hour.
The bill has been introduced but has not yet been passed by the City Council, according to News 12 New York. The station framed it as the measure supporters are pushing in response to the safety concerns.