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The streets of New York are always bustling with cars, buses, trucks, people, scooters, and bikes. Now, there’s one more mode of transportation to deal with: e-bikes.
E-Bikes may be the newest micro-transportation on New York streets, but they come with big dangers of their own. In fact, a handful of e-bike riders suffered deadly accidents under circumstances that remain unclear, because no other vehicles were involved.
The New York state legislature has created some laws surrounding the use of e-bikes to help ensure the safety of riders and others on the street.
Here’s what you need to know about e-bike usage in New York and what damages to pursue if you’re injured by one.
New York defines an e-bike as a bicycle no wider than 36 inches that has an electric motor with 750w or less. They also have fully functional pedals.
The state does not require drivers to register their e-bike, nor do they mandate a license or insurance to operate one. Riders do need to be at least 16 years old. They must wear a helmet when operating an e-bike if it’s throttle-controlled up to 25 miles per hour.
You can operate e-bikes on roadways in New York with posted speed limits of 30 mph or less. You cannot use an e-bike on a sidewalk, except where it is expressly authorized.
Each municipality does regulate the place, time, and manner of e-bike operation as they see fit.
When something goes wrong on an e-bike, injured persons may receive compensation. Compensation might be collected to cover:
Some of the most common injuries on e-bikes include:
If you want to pursue damages after an e-bike accident, who do you hold liable for damages? That depends on the circumstances surrounding your case. Possible liable parties could encompass other vehicle operators, other e-bike operators, or even the e-bike manufacturer.
If a malfunction caused the accident, the manufacturer of the e-bike can be held liable, especially if the accident was due to:
If you rented the e-bike, the rental company may be liable for your injuries.
If you were struck by a vehicle, the party responsible for the accident can be sued for damages.
In an e-bike accident, always prioritize care for your injuries first. After that, contact an attorney to discuss a lawsuit regarding compensation for your injuries. They can help you with the liability and filing process.
E-Bikes are a great way to get where you want to go, but their size and exposure carry inherent risk. If you’re injured, make sure to pursue the compensation to which you’re entitled.
