NYC e-bikes slapped with new 15 m.p.h. speed limit: Post investigation reveals how fast riders are really going
**Speed Demons, Beware: NYC Slashes E-Bike Speed Limit to 15 mph**
Starting Friday, October 24, New York City is implementing a new 15 miles-per-hour speed limit for e-bike riders across all five boroughs. This new cap applies to all streets as well as pathways inside city-operated parks. The move aims to transform the “city that never sleeps” into the “city that never speeds” when it comes to e-bike travel.
However, NYC officials may face an uphill battle enforcing the new limit. A recent Post investigation, using a radar gun, found many e-bike riders speeding at nearly double the new limit on various makes and models.
The rule targets speedy cyclists, particularly delivery riders often racing to drop off food orders, which can create chaos for drivers and pedestrians alike. Mayor Eric Adams’ office has directed that the maximum speed for e-bikes, e-scooters, and pedal-assist commercial bicycles — including popular Citi Bike rentals — be lowered from the previous 18 mph limit to 15 mph.
During a recent weekday lunch rush, The Post stationed a radar gun on Sixth Avenue in Midtown Manhattan and clocked some riders zooming at speeds up to 23 mph. Many wove dangerously between cars and pedestrians, showing little regard for safety.
One anonymous delivery rider criticized the new speed limit, calling 15 mph “too slow.” On the flip side, a pedestrian expressed understanding, saying, “You know why they go fast, right? The more orders they drop off, the more money they make.”
The brazen biker also revealed that his e-bike has a pedal-assist speed of 25 mph but admitted he could go even faster by pedaling harder — and openly acknowledged he has no plans to abide by the new rule.
Currently, e-bike riders seemingly enjoy a free-for-all, riding wherever and however fast they please.
The Post also visited the Hudson River Greenway on Manhattan’s west side. This popular state-operated path already bans e-bikes, and the new 15 mph rule does not apply here. Still, numerous fast-moving e-bike riders were spotted ignoring large posted signs, some speeding at 23 mph.
While some riders bristle at the new restrictions, others welcome them. An anonymous e-scooter rider told The Post, “I like it. Any faster [than 15 mph], and it’s really hard to react to potholes, pedestrians, [and] cars.” He admitted to previously being hit by a small bus while riding, recalling, “I was knocked to the ground. I thought I was done.”
How well the 15 mph rule will be enforced remains unclear, especially since riders don’t need to register their vehicles. Mayor Adams emphasized an educational approach:
> “As New Yorkers adjust to this new law, our focus will be on education first and enforcement second. This includes installing new signage in key cycling corridors and issuing warnings to first-time offenders. This isn’t about criminalization; it’s about creating safer, fairer conditions for all New Yorkers.”
The New York Police Department plans to issue warnings to cyclists who exceed the speed limit, although these will generally be secondary to addressing other violations. The precise methods for detecting speed violations remain uncertain. Meanwhile, the Department of Transportation is installing signage along cycling corridors to announce the new limit.
Not everyone is optimistic about enforcement. Queens Councilmember Bob Holden expressed skepticism, stating:
> “These riders have been ignoring traffic laws for years, and without license plates and real enforcement, the danger will only grow.”
One nonchalant rider agreed, adding: “I don’t know how you’re going to enforce that. We’re in New York — people do what they want.”
According to the city’s Department of Transportation, e-bike fatalities have declined during the first half of this year compared to the same period in 2023 (six vs. nine fatalities). However, collisions have increased by over 11% year-over-year, according to the NYPD’s TrafficStat report.
Some e-bike riders argue that speed isn’t the primary cause of crashes — distracted pedestrians are partly to blame. One biker told The Post:
> “They’re always head down on their phones, distracted. They step out onto the street without even looking.”
As New York adjusts to the new 15 mph speed limit, only time will tell if this measure leads to safer streets for riders, drivers, and pedestrians alike.
https://nypost.com/2025/10/23/lifestyle/nyc-e-bikes-slapped-with-new-15-mph-speed-limit-post-investigation-reveals-how-fast-riders-are-really-going/
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