New York

How the law defines it: "Bicycle with electric assist": up to 36 in wide, working pedals, motor under 750 W. Class 1: pedal-assist to 20 mph. Class 2: throttle, to 20 mph. Class 3: throttle allowed, to 25 mph, legal only in cities of 1 million or more (New York City). Not a motor vehicle.

Helmet

Required for all Class 3 riders and for all riders under 14 (bicycle helmet rule).

Minimum age

16

Speed limit or cap

20 mph (Class 1 and 2), 25 mph (Class 3); also the riding speed limits

Motor power cap

Under 750 W

License, registration, insurance

Not a motor vehicle; statute sets no license, registration or insurance.

Also worth knowing

Cities, towns and villages may further regulate (speed, helmets, reflective gear) or ban e-bikes entirely with posted signs. In Nassau, Suffolk and Westchester, local rules other than bans require a county law first. E-bikes ridden on public roads need a manufacturer's label showing class, top assisted speed and wattage ($50 fine). Must yield to pedestrians.

How the law defines it: "Electric scooter": under 100 lb, handlebars, a floorboard or seat, an electric motor, top motor speed 20 mph. Not a motor vehicle.

Helmet

Required for riders aged 16 and 17.

Minimum age

16 (no riders or passengers under 16).

Speed limit or cap

15 mph riding speed (device max 20 mph)

Motor power cap

None in statute (100 lb weight limit)

License, registration, insurance

Not a motor vehicle; statute sets no license, registration or insurance.

Also worth knowing

Local governments may further regulate or ban scooters with posted signs (county law needed first for non-ban rules in Nassau, Suffolk and Westchester). Shared scooter systems need local authorization and are banned on public highways in one county by population (New York County/Manhattan). Scooters used on public roads need a manufacturer's label. One rider only; must yield to pedestrians.

Not addressed in statute. We found no New York statute that covers this vehicle by name or by a definition that clearly fits it. That isn't permission: police and cities may treat it under another category. No statute names electric skateboards. The 'electric scooter' definition (VTL 114-e) requires handlebars.

Not addressed in statute. We found no New York statute that covers this vehicle by name or by a definition that clearly fits it. That isn't permission: police and cities may treat it under another category. No statute names electric unicycles. The 'electric scooter' definition (VTL 114-e) requires handlebars, and the self-balancing device definition (VTL 114-d) requires two side-by-side wheels.