New York City Council Speaker Julie Menin announced a sweeping package of 17 bills targeting dangerous e-bikes and electric scooters after more than 500 collisions this year alone—a 32% spike from 2025 that has left victims in comas and families devastated.
Safety Crisis Demands Action
The proposed legislation comes after a series of horrific incidents that exposed the deadly consequences of unregulated e-bikes. In May, a crash on the Queensboro Bridge killed both a stand-up electric scooter rider and a cyclist. Last week, a 17-year-old boy died after ramming his e-bike into an SUV near City Hall. Another recent Central Park collision left a 43-year-old jogger in a coma, unable to recognize her own family after four weeks in the hospital.
Jessica Selano, sister of the injured jogger, testified in support of the new measures. Her sister, who jogged in Central Park twice daily, now requires multiple operations and faces a long recovery. The victim often cannot remember her own name or recognize family members, Selano told lawmakers during Tuesday’s announcement.
Crackdown on Delivery Apps and Illegal Bikes
The legislative package targets third-party delivery apps with new registration requirements through the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection. Councilwoman Lynn Schulman’s bill would give the city enhanced oversight and enforcement tools against out-of-control delivery drivers. Another measure from Councilwoman Gale Brewer would require apps to collect detailed driver information and track their movements throughout the city.
Councilwoman Crystal Hudson pushed legislation to prohibit the sale and rental of Class Three electric-assist bicycles, establishing civil penalties up to $2,000 for violations. Councilman Lincoln Restler proposed requiring delivery services to verify that worker mopeds are properly registered. Brewer also backed increased penalties for e-scooter riders who flee accident scenes.
Enforcement Roadblock Ahead
The Council’s aggressive push may face resistance from Mayor Mamdani’s administration, which recently ended NYPD’s practice of issuing criminal summonses to e-bikers and cyclists over immigration deportation concerns. When asked about the proposed laws, Mamdani offered only vague comments about reviewing submitted legislation and addressing illegal vehicles. Speaker Menin emphasized that existing laws already regulate e-bikes but require proper enforcement, announcing a major oversight hearing scheduled for September to examine why current regulations have failed to prevent the mounting casualties.