New York City will begin enforcing a 15 mile-per-hour speed limit on e-bikes, e-scooters, and pedal-assist commercial bicycles starting October 24, Mayor Eric Adams announced this week. The rule, published in the City Record, fulfills a commitment made earlier this summer and aligns e-bike speeds with existing limits for stand-up scooters.

“This new 15 miles-per-hour speed limit for e-bikes is about keeping New Yorkers safe while continuing to keep our city moving,” Adams said. “Starting October 24, whether you’re riding, walking, or driving, we know that everyone will be safe and protected on our streets.”

Transportation Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez noted that the change mirrors best practices in places like the European Union, where e-bike speeds are capped at 25 kilometers per hour (about 15 mph). “We are using every tool and studying worldwide best practices to ensure every New Yorker is traveling at safe speeds,” Rodriguez said.

The rule is part of a broader push by the Adams administration to enhance street safety amid record ridership and demand for cycling infrastructure. The city has added 87.5 miles of new protected bike lanes, reinforced existing lanes with sturdier barriers, and begun widening bike lanes on the busiest corridors.

Adams also launched the Department of Sustainable Delivery, a new division within DOT tasked with overseeing e-bike and scooter use, enforcing safety rules, and holding delivery app companies accountable. The administration argues that apps often incentivize dangerous riding and continues to press the City Council for legislation targeting those practices.

While the city has not yet outlined exactly how the new speed cap will be enforced, officials stressed that the policy is part of a broader effort to balance safety with the growing popularity of cycling and micromobility in New York.