Requires certain information to be provided in the form of a card or pamphlet at the point of sale of every bicycle with electric assist or electric scooter.
NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A10226
SPONSOR: Eachus TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to requiring
certain information to be provided at the point of sale of bicycles with
electric assist and electric scooters
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
Requires certain information to be provided at the point of sale of
bicycles with electric assist and electric scooters.
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1. Adds a new section to the Vehicle and Traffic Law to require
the commissioner of the DMV, in consultation with the commissioner of
the DOT, to produce am informational card containing relevant rules and
regulations regarding e-bikes that shall be provided with each sale.
Section 2. Adds a new section to the Vehicle and Traffic Law to require
the commissioner of the DMV, in consultation with the commissioner of
the DOT, to produce am informational card containing relevant rules and
regulations regarding e-scooters that shall be provided with each sale.
Section 3. Sets effective date.
JUSTIFICATION:
The use of bicycles with electric assist and electric scooters has
increased significantly across New York State in recent years, providing
residents with affordable, convenient, and environmentally friendly
transportation options. However, this rapid growth has also led to wide-
spread confusion among riders regarding the rules governing the opera-
tion of these devices, including where they may be lawfully operated,
applicable speed limits, age and helmet requirements, and the role of
local laws.
New York's Vehicle and Traffic Law establishes detailed classifications
and operating rules for e-bikes and electric scooters, but many purchas-
ers are unaware of these requirements at the time they begin using these
devices. Riders often mistakenly assume that e-bikes and electric scoot-
ers may be operated anywhere a traditional bicycle is permitted, or are
unaware that different classes of e-bikes are subject to different speed
limits and restrictions. This lack of awareness contributes to unsafe
riding behavior, conflicts with pedestrians and motorists, and incon-
sistent enforcement.
Pedestrian safety advocates, local governments, and law enforcement have
all raised concerns about injuries and near-miss incidents involving
e-bikes and electric scooters, particularly on sidewalks, shared-use
paths, and in dense urban areas.
This bill addresses the problem by requiring the Department of Motor
Vehicles, in consultation with the Department of Transportation, to
develop uniform informational materials explaining the legal operation
of bicycles with electric assist and electric scooters. These materials
will clearly outline classifications, maximum speeds, permitted operat-
ing locations, age and helmet requirements, penalties for unlawful oper-
ation, and how local laws may further regulate use. Requiring these
materials to be provided at the point of sale ensures that purchasers
receive accurate, authoritative information before operating their
devices on public streets and paths.
By improving rider awareness and understanding of existing laws, this
legislation will help promote public safety, reduce confusion, and
support responsible use of e-bikes and electric scooters without impos-
ing new penalties or burdensome regulations.
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New bill.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
To be determined.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.
STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
10226
IN ASSEMBLY
February 12, 2026
___________
Introduced by M. of A. EACHUS -- read once and referred to the Committee
on Transportation
AN ACT to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to requiring
certain information to be provided at the point of sale of bicycles
with electric assist and electric scooters
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. The vehicle and traffic law is amended by adding a new
2 section 1244 to read as follows:
3 § 1244. Informational materials relating to the operation of bicycles
4 with electric assist. 1. The commissioner, in consultation with the
5 commissioner of transportation, shall create informational materials
6 relating to the operation of bicycles with electric assist. Such infor-
7 mational materials shall be in the form of a card or pamphlet and shall
8 include, but need not be limited to, information relating to:
9 (a) classifications of bicycles with electric assist, including
10 descriptions of each class of bicycle with electric assist;
11 (b) the maximum speed at which bicycles with electric assist may be
12 operated. Such information shall specify the maximum speed of each
13 class of such bicycles;
14 (c) where operation of bicycles with electric assist is permitted,
15 including specific information relating to the operation or prohibition
16 of the operation of bicycles with electric assist on streets, bicycle
17 lanes, and paths;
18 (d) age restrictions for operating or being a passenger on bicycles
19 with electric assist;
20 (e) helmet requirements for operating or being a passenger on bicycles
21 with electric assist;
22 (f) penalties for unlawful operation of bicycles with electric assist;
23 (g) local authority relating to the operation of bicycles with elec-
24 tric assist. Such information shall provide guidance as to where
25 purchasers of bicycles with electric assist can find local laws, ordi-
26 nances, rules or regulations relating to the operation of such bicycles;
27 and
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD14583-02-6
A. 10226 2
1 (h) such other information as the commissioner deems useful.
2 2. The card or pamphlet created pursuant to subdivision one of this
3 section shall be provided to each purchaser at the point of sale of
4 every bicycle with electric assist sold in the state. In addition to the
5 information required pursuant to subdivision one of this section, the
6 card or pamphlet may also include a QR code linking to such information
7 and any additional information the commissioner deems useful pertaining
8 to the safe operation of bicycles with electric assist.
9 § 2. The vehicle and traffic law is amended by adding a new section
10 1290 to read as follows:
11 § 1290. Informational materials relating to the operation of electric
12 scooters. 1. The commissioner, in consultation with the commissioner of
13 transportation, shall create informational materials relating to the
14 operation of electric scooters. Such informational materials shall be in
15 the form of a card or pamphlet and shall include, but need not be limit-
16 ed to, information relating to:
17 (a) the definition of electric scooters;
18 (b) the maximum speed at which electric scooters may be operated. Such
19 information shall specify the maximum speed of electric scooters;
20 (c) where operation of electric scooters is permitted, including
21 specific information relating to the operation or prohibition of the
22 operation of electric scooters on streets, bicycle lanes, and paths;
23 (d) age restrictions for operating or being a passenger on electric
24 scooters;
25 (e) helmet requirements for operating or being a passenger on electric
26 scooters;
27 (f) penalties for unlawful operation of electric scooters;
28 (g) local authority relating to the operation of electric scooters.
29 Such information shall provide guidance as to where purchasers of elec-
30 tric scooters can find local laws, ordinances, rules or regulations
31 relating to the operation of such electric scooters; and
32 (h) such other information as the commissioner deems useful.
33 2. The card or pamphlet created pursuant to subdivision one of this
34 section shall be provided to each purchaser at the point of sale of
35 every electric scooter sold in the state. In addition to the information
36 required pursuant to subdivision one of this section, the card or
37 pamphlet may also include a QR code linking to such information and any
38 additional information the commissioner deems useful pertaining to the
39 safe operation of electric scooters.
40 § 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
