New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

New York Assembly Bill A09197

Introduced
11/3/25  
Refer
11/3/25  

Caption

Requires the registration and issuance of license plates for bicycles with electric assist and electric scooters that can exceed twenty-eight miles per hour with battery assistance up to and exceeding seven hundred fifty watts.

Impact

If enacted, A09197 would significantly impact how electric bicycles and scooters are treated under New York state law. By creating a requirement for registration and the assignment of license plates, the bill aims to promote accountability among users of these vehicles. This aligns with current trends in urban transport where regulation of non-traditional vehicles is becoming increasingly prominent. The law may facilitate easier identification of vehicles in traffic and contribute to improved safety protocols across the state.

Summary

Bill A09197 seeks to amend New York's vehicle and traffic law to mandate the registration and issuance of license plates for certain bicycles with electric assist and electric scooters. Specifically, the bill targets those electric bicycles and scooters capable of exceeding 28 miles per hour through battery assistance that exceeds 750 watts. The proposed law establishes guidelines for the design and display of these license plates, ensuring they are easily distinguishable on the vehicles they pertain to. This move is framed within broader efforts to regulate emerging modes of transport and enhance safety on public roads.

Contention

While the bill has been introduced with apparent safety and regulatory goals, it may face opposition from advocates for cycling and scooter users who believe additional regulations could deter use of such vehicles. Concerns may arise regarding the potential costs associated with registration fees, as well as the implications for access and mobility, especially in urban areas where electric bikes and scooters offer viable alternatives to traditional forms of transportation. These debates reflect broader tensions between regulation aimed at promoting safety and the need for accessible transportation options.

Companion Bills

NY S09362

Same As Requires the registration and issuance of license plates for bicycles with electric assist and electric scooters that can exceed twenty-eight miles per hour with battery assistance up to and exceeding seven hundred fifty watts.

Previously Filed As

NY S09362

Requires the registration and issuance of license plates for bicycles with electric assist and electric scooters that can exceed twenty-eight miles per hour with battery assistance up to and exceeding seven hundred fifty watts.

NY S09360

Prohibits sellers of bicycles with electric assist, electric scooters, and motor-driven cycles from selling to persons less than sixteen years of age; requires valid proof of age at the point of purchase; establishes licensing requirements for bicycles with electric assist, electric scooters, and motor-driven cycles that can exceed twenty-eight miles per hour.

NY A09201

Prohibits sellers of bicycles with electric assist, electric scooters, and motor-driven cycles from selling to persons less than sixteen years of age; requires valid proof of age at the point of purchase; establishes licensing requirements for bicycles with electric assist, electric scooters, and motor-driven cycles that can exceed twenty-eight miles per hour.

NY S10015

Requires bicycles with electric assist and electric scooters to be registered with the department of motor vehicles and have a license plate affixed to such bicycle with electric assist or electric scooter.

NY A10230

Requires bicycles with electric assist and electric scooters to be registered with the department of motor vehicles and have a license plate affixed to such bicycle with electric assist or electric scooter.

NY A06403

Requires license plates for certain bicycles with electric assist and electric scooters; requires a person be eighteen years of age to operate or purchase bicycles with electric assist and electric scooters.

NY S09361

Requires operators of bicycles with electric assist, electric scooters, and motor-driven cycles to wear protective head gear regardless of age.

NY A09213

Requires operators of bicycles with electric assist, electric scooters, and motor-driven cycles to wear protective head gear regardless of age.

NY S08948

Requires any person, firm, association or corporation selling or leasing bicycles with electric assist and electric scooters in NYS to affix front and rear lights.

NY A09209

Requires any person, firm, association or corporation selling or leasing bicycles with electric assist and electric scooters in NYS to affix front and rear lights.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.