Outgoing NYC Mayor Adams' 15 MPH E-Bike Speed Limit Goes Into Effect, But Will It Last?
Written by: Rémy Rossi | October 14, 2025 | Time to read 4 min
Can you slow down the city that never sleeps? NYC’s new e-Bike limit will try, but it may not be around for long…
More about the Author: Remy Rossi
Rémy Rossi is a bike writer, mechanic, and educator who got his start in community-based bike shops and co-ops. With a decade in the industry, he still wrenches on bikes when he can and plays bike polo on a fixie.
After much controversy, heated debate, and good ol’ waiting around, New York City’s new 15 mph speed limit for electric bikes and scooters will take effect October 24th. A proposal championed by outgoing Mayor Eric Adams, the reduced speed limit comes as a response to the growing use of e-Bikes in the city and related safety concerns, especially with the rise of delivery workers on two wheels. However, cycling advocates have criticized the rule change as an ineffective and punitive measure against riders that goes against sustainability efforts in the city.
Mayor Adams imposes lower speed limit for e-Bikes on his way out
On September 24, Mayor Eric Adams announced that the 15 mph speed limit would go into effect the following month on October 24. Only four days later, however, Adams withdrew from the New York City mayoral election. The October 24 implementation date is actually the day before early voting will begin in the election.
Critics especially critical of the speed limit change viewed the policy as a political stunt to score points in the run up to the election, though those potential schemes are all but null and void now. Still, it is true that Adams’ tenure will be marked, in part, by a crackdown on e-Bikes and mobility efforts due to lower speed limit and recent removal of bike lane protections on Brooklyn's Bedford Avenue this past summer.
15 mph e-Bike speed limit goes into effect October 24 in NYC
Electric bikes will soon have to stay under 15 mph at all times in New York City, even when riding on roads with a higher marked speed limit. It is still not entirely clear how the administration intends to enforce the speed limit. Unlike cars and other motor vehicles, e-Bikes aren’t required to have license plates or registration. Additionally, it’s unlikely that there will be many new posted speed limit signs for commuter e-Bikes, such as the ones for cars. Head of Upway US Maxime Renson recently wrote about how the speed limit is actually a threat to street safety.
A statement by Jon Orcutt, advocacy director for the nonprofit Bike New York and former policy director at the city transportation department, explained that the new speed limit likely won’t alter the situation on the streets because it’s difficult to enforce the rule change. The 15 mph speed limit takes effect on October 24, though policy realists expect little behavior change.
What will NYC’s next mayor do about e-Bikes?
After lagging in the polls and embroiled in scandals, Mayor Eric Adams officially withdrew his reelection bid, confirming New York City will have a new mayor. During his tenure, Adams embraced a staunch anti-bike stance, while mayors in the past, such as Michael Bloomberg, advocated for stronger cycling infrastructure. Cycling and e-Biking are at an all-time high in NYC, so proactive and sensible policies are necessary to keep up with the city’s mobility and sustainability goals.
Currently, Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani holds a strong lead, anywhere from 15 to 20 points ahead of independent candidate Andrew Cuomo, and even farther out of reach of Republican Curtis Sliwa. And the way things are going at the moment, data suggests that Eric Adams’ withdrawal from the race will not significantly affect the race and Mamdani’s current advantage.
Zohran Mamdani is generally believed to be much more friendly to public transportation, cycling efforts, and e-Bikes. In late September, he was asked by the Downtown Democratic Coalition about how to improve the laws against bikes and e-vehicles in the city. He responded that the delivery apps shouldn’t be allowed to force riders to make unsafe decisions via unrealistic delivery times, vowing accountability on the part of the app companies.
In contrast, Cuomo proposed requiring mandatory licenses and registration for e-Bikes and scooters— so-called Priscilla's Law— back in March 2025. Priscilla's Law is a controversial rule criticized by many cycling advocates that does little to improve safety. Cuomo has also called for holding delivery app companies responsible for the unsafe delivery rider behavior.
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Key Takeaways
- New Speed Rule: Starting October 24, all e-Bikes in NYC must stay under 15 MPH, regardless of street limits.
- Enforcement Unclear: Without plates or registration, experts doubt the city can effectively police e-Bike speeds.
- Future in Flux: With Adams stepping down, frontrunner Zohran Mamdani may reverse or reshape e-Bike policy toward pro-cycling reform.
