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Suffolk County officials announced Thursday they will aggressively enforce a new local law strengthening penalties for illegal e-bike and e-scooter operation, including impounding vehicles and issuing fines up to $7,300.
Police Commissioner Kevin Catalina and County Executive Ed Romaine outlined enforcement strategies for the law, which took effect in January. With spring weather luring more riders onto roadways, authorities said they want to boost public awareness.
“There’s nothing safe about e-bikes. They are inherently dangerous,” Catalina said during a news conference at police department headquarters in Yaphank. “We will confiscate those e-bikes and you’re not getting them back.”
Since March 1, when Suffolk Police began full enforcement, the highway patrol unit alone has issued 96 summonses: 53 tickets for operating e-bikes or e-scooters on sidewalks, 37 tickets for riding on roadways with speed limits over 30 mph, and six for other violations.
Under the new law, all e-bike and e-scooter operators must wear helmets in Suffolk County. No person under 16 may operate the vehicles on public property or roadways; operators found riding with minors will be ticketed.
Furthermore, e-bikes and e-scooters cannot be operated on roadways where the speed limit exceeds 35 miles per hour, and reckless or impaired operation will result in immediate impoundment and forfeiture to the county.
The law also distinguishes between three classes of e-bikes.
Class 1 e-bikes provide motor assistance only while pedaling and stop assisting at 20 mph. Class 2 e-bikes can operate without pedaling, but also cut assistance at 20 mph.
Only Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes are legal in Suffolk County.
Source: Greater Moriches: Daily News for Shirley, Mastic and the Moriches
