Public service announcement. In case you were wondering, electric bikes (sometimes called e-bikes) are illegal in New York City. Oh, you can own one, but you can’t actually ride it on “any street, highway, parking lot, sidewalk or other area that allows public motor vehicle traffic.”
More? OK: “A motor-assisted bicycle does not qualify for a registration as a motorcycle, moped or ATV and does not have the same equipment” and “you are subject to arrest if you operate one of these motorized vehicles and do not have a registration,” which we just found out you can’t get.
So to summarize, as of the timestamp on this post, electric bikes are banned in NYC. The kind you can buy complete with motor, the kind you can trick out with a motor, every kind. For delivery guys and recreational riders alike. I learned this lesson the hard way, so take my advice: If you ride it, you’re breaking the law — don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.