What is an electric scooter?
Electric scooters, also known as e-scooters, have handlebars and a floorboard or seat and may be powered by electric and/or human power. The citywide speed limit for e-scooters is 15 MPH. New Yorkers must be 16 years or older to ride a privately owned e-scooter. To use a shared e-scooter, New Yorkers must be 18 or older.
For differences between e-mobility devices, please see this chart (PDF).
Where are e-scooters permitted to ride?
E-scooters should be operated and treated in the same way as bicycles. E-scooter users are permitted to ride in bike lanes and on streets with speed limits no greater than 30 MPH. E-scooter users may not ride on the sidewalk and must obey all local traffic laws. For more information, please check out the rules of the road (PDF).
Do you need to wear a helmet when riding an e-scooter?
Riders who are 16 or 17 years old must wear a helmet when riding an e-scooter. However, all riders are encouraged to wear a helmet, regardless of age.
What is an electric scooter?
Electric scooters, also known as e-scooters, have handlebars and a floorboard or seat and may be powered by electric and/or human power. The citywide speed limit for e-scooters is 15 MPH. New Yorkers must be 16 years or older to ride a privately owned e-scooter. To use a shared e-scooter, New Yorkers must be 18 or older.
For differences between e-mobility devices, please see this chart (PDF).
Where are e-scooters permitted to ride?
E-scooters should be operated and treated in the same way as bicycles. E-scooter users are permitted to ride in bike lanes and on streets with speed limits no greater than 30 MPH. E-scooter users may not ride on the sidewalk and must obey all local traffic laws. For more information, please check out the rules of the road (PDF).
Do you need to wear a helmet when riding an e-scooter?
Riders who are 16 or 17 years old must wear a helmet when riding an e-scooter. However, all riders are encouraged to wear a helmet, regardless of age.
What are shared e-scooters?
Shared e-scooter systems have become popular in many American cities over the past few years, allowing millions of people to rent publicly accessible e-scooters for short trips. These systems operate similarly to dockless bike share. Riders find and unlock shared e-scooters within a designated service area using a smartphone app.
What is the shared e-scooter program?
In 2020, the New York City Council passed Local Law 74 (PDF), mandating that the New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) conduct a pilot for a shared e-scooter system in New York City. The law specifies that the pilot will not occur in Manhattan and will prioritize areas underserved by Citi Bike. The pilot ran in the East Bronx between August 2021 - August 2023.
Throughout the pilot, NYC DOT evaluated shared e-scooters as a viable transportation option in New York City and monitored scooter operators’ ability to provide safe, affordable, and well-maintained transportation options for New Yorkers. Due to the pilot's success, DOT and shared scooter operators will continue to serve the East Bronx and expand to Eastern Queens as part of a long term program.
What happens after the pilot?
Scooters will remain available in East Bronx neighborhoods from Eastchester and Co-Op City to Throggs Neck and Soundview, a 22-square mile area home to 590,000 residents and several major employment centers, as well as Jacobi and Montefiore Hospitals and the Soundview Ferry terminal.
The next phase of the program will span from Flushing to Jamaica, through Kew Garden Hills, Queensboro Hill, Pomonok, Briarwood and Jamaica Hills. This 23-square mile area is home to 600,000 residents, four universities, and several popular commercial corridors.
Maps of the service areas are attached below.
What are shared e-scooters?
Shared e-scooter systems have become popular in many American cities over the past few years, allowing millions of people to rent publicly accessible e-scooters for short trips. These systems operate similarly to dockless bike share. Riders find and unlock shared e-scooters within a designated service area using a smartphone app.
What is the shared e-scooter program?
In 2020, the New York City Council passed Local Law 74 (PDF), mandating that the New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) conduct a pilot for a shared e-scooter system in New York City. The law specifies that the pilot will not occur in Manhattan and will prioritize areas underserved by Citi Bike. The pilot ran in the East Bronx between August 2021 - August 2023.
Throughout the pilot, NYC DOT evaluated shared e-scooters as a viable transportation option in New York City and monitored scooter operators’ ability to provide safe, affordable, and well-maintained transportation options for New Yorkers. Due to the pilot's success, DOT and shared scooter operators will continue to serve the East Bronx and expand to Eastern Queens as part of a long term program.
What happens after the pilot?
Scooters will remain available in East Bronx neighborhoods from Eastchester and Co-Op City to Throggs Neck and Soundview, a 22-square mile area home to 590,000 residents and several major employment centers, as well as Jacobi and Montefiore Hospitals and the Soundview Ferry terminal.
The next phase of the program will span from Flushing to Jamaica, through Kew Garden Hills, Queensboro Hill, Pomonok, Briarwood and Jamaica Hills. This 23-square mile area is home to 600,000 residents, four universities, and several popular commercial corridors.
Maps of the service areas are attached below.