NYC now has a 15 mph speed limit for e-bikes — but critics doubt it will make city streets safer

Mayor Eric Adams announced the speed limit for out-of-control electric bike riders would be reduced to 15 mph — but locals doubt whether it will make the streets any safer.

The new speed limit for e-bikes, electric scooters and pedal-assist commercial bicycles comes as it’s become a fact of life for pedestrians to have to duck and dodge delivery riders at breakneck speeds.

“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 this week. “Today, our administration is saying enough is enough.”

The city previously did not have a specific speed limit for e-bikes and followed the state’s rule, which allowed speeds up to 25 mph for certain e-bikes. Citibikes cannot go over 18 mph.

A 15 mph threshold already applied to stand-up e-scooters in the Big Apple. Aligning the standards will reduce collisions across the city’s expanding bike lane network, according to the Adams administration. 

But critics wonder how the speed limit will be enforced — with the riders already routinely going through red lights, traveling in the wrong direction of one-way streets and breaking a long list of other traffic laws.

Republican candidate for mayor Curtis Sliwa blasted Adams’ new limit.

“It’s the bare minimum, and I don’t even think it’s enforceable,” Sliwa posted to X. “This is just throwing red meat to the masses.”

E-bikes are not required to be registered, don’t have license plates and they face no mandatory inspections. That would make it hard for cops to keep track of which driver they gave a ticket to and even harder for the city to collect any fines.

Queens Councilmember Bob Holden said a new limit is “nowhere near enough.”

“It’s good that people acknowledge the e-bike chaos on our streets, but it’s nowhere near enough,” Holden said. “These riders have been ignoring traffic laws for years, and without license plates and real enforcement, the danger will only grow.”

Holden penned a letter to the mayor after news broke of the new limit, pushing for City Hall to use the same charter interpretation to tackle the issue head-on by requiring license plates. 

“Without visible identification, enforcing traffic laws and speed limits will remain practically impossible. Riders who violate the law—racing through red lights, riding on sidewalks, or endangering pedestrians—are effectively anonymous,” he wrote. 

“If the DOT can move to lower speed limits through the Charter’s rulemaking process, it can and must do the same to require e-bike license plates. New Yorkers deserve better than symbolic gestures.”

Others welcomed the limit, even if it wasn’t clear it would make a difference.

“But my DoorDash,” one anonymous New Yorker said after a Post reporter told them about the new limit. 

Madeleine S., 29, said change was needed after she only got a “sorry” after nearly being mowed down by a speeding e-biker in Soho.

“At least he took accountability,” Madeleine said. “My lack of awareness probably contributed, but he was going fast.”

Adams first called for reforms aimed at regulating the largely unregulated commercial delivery industry during his 2024 State of the City address, but has done little to further the regulation. 

In the same speech, he also floated creating a Department of Sustainable Delivery and a new commercial delivery license system for e-bike delivery drivers  — but in the 18 months since, the proposals have gone nowhere. 

Adams accused the City Council of “stalling” his legislation by refusing to meet with members of his administration or hold a hearing, according to a press release from the mayor’s office on Wednesday.

However, the Department of Transportation sent a letter to the council on Thursday, claiming the agency had the authority under the city charter to create a 15 mph speed limit.

A spokesperson for the City Council shot back, arguing the administration had no power to circumvent the legislative body and blasted the mayor for trying to use publicity to legislate. 

“The mayor has repeatedly failed to demonstrate an understanding of the city’s lawmaking process, which has made him ineffective,” Julia Agos said. 

“The mayor seeking to negotiate legislation by press release may get him headlines, but doesn’t contribute to delivering for New Yorkers, and that’s been his problem.”

Councilmember Keith Powers introduced a bill Thursday that would also change the speed limit for e-bikes to 15 mph.

“Biking is a crucial tool to tackle the climate crisis and help New Yorkers get around the city, but we also must address the well-documented concerns about safety,” Powers said. “Many New Yorkers are concerned about the reckless behavior we’ve seen from e-bike operators that haven’t been properly regulated, and it’s time to ensure that e-bikes can’t speed down the street, causing chaos.”