New York City Imposes 15-MPH Speed Limit on E-Bikes

New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced a new citywide speed limit for electric bikes and scooters, capping their speed at 15 miles per hour (mph) on city streets. The new rule, effective October 24, 2025, aligns with the existing speed limit for stand-up e-scooters and mirrors regulations in places like the European Union.

The mayor’s office stated that the new rule is part of a broader effort to enhance public safety for all New Yorkers. “This new 15 miles-per-hour speed limit for e-bikes is about keeping New Yorkers safe while continuing to keep our city moving,” said Mayor Adams. The announcement fulfills a commitment he made earlier this summer in response to growing concerns about the speed of these devices.

New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez emphasized the city’s focus on safety, stating, “We are using every tool and studying worldwide best practices, to ensure every New Yorker is traveling at safe speeds on our streets.” The administration has also been expanding the city’s protected bike lane network, with a record 87.5 miles of new lanes built to accommodate the increasing number of cyclists.

The new speed limit is just one of several measures the Adams administration has taken to address street safety. These include targeted traffic enforcement and the creation of the Department of Sustainable Delivery within the DOT. This new department, funded by the Fiscal Year 2026 budget, will include data analysts and peace officers dedicated to improving traffic safety and holding delivery app companies accountable.

The administration has repeatedly called on the New York City Council to pass legislation that would regulate the app-based companies that, according to the mayor’s office, incentivize reckless behavior among delivery workers. This legislation aims to address the root cause of the issue by holding the companies themselves responsible for public safety.