Suffolk officials issued a strong warning to parents and riders about the dangers of e-bikes and the county’s new restrictions governing their use, stressing that enforcement efforts are now fully underway.
At a press conference, Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine and Police Commissioner Kevin Catalina said the laws were enacted in response to a growing number of crashes, reckless riding complaints, and fatalities involving e-bikes and electric scooters across the county.
“We’re here to talk about e-bike safety, which is really a misnomer because there’s nothing safe about e-bikes,” Catalina said. “They are inherently dangerous.”
The message was driven home by county Executive Ed Romaine and Clerk Vince Puleo, along with 10 of the legislature’s 18 members.
Under Suffolk’s new law, riders must be at least 16 years old to legally operate an e-bike or electric scooter on public property or roadways. Helmets are required for all riders and passengers, and the vehicles are prohibited on roads with posted speed limits above 30 mph. The county also limits e-bike speeds to 20 mph.
Officials warned that unlawful behavior, reckless riding, speeding, and violations involving helmets or technical specifications can result in summonses and the impoundment of the vehicle. Catalina said parents could also face penalties if their children are caught violating the law.
“Part of it is education, and part of it is going to be enforcement,” Catalina said. “I fully expect people to be upset about it, but quite frankly, if you don’t care about your children, we do.”
The county legislation, approved unanimously by the legislature in December and signed into law by Romaine, also bans reckless operation, including weaving through traffic, zig-zagging around vehicles, and performing tricks in active roadways or parking lots.
Fines can reach up to $500 for a first offense, while repeat violations can lead to misdemeanor charges, fines reaching thousands of dollars, and possible jail time.
Jim Mazzarella, a co-sponsor of the law, urged parents to discuss safety with their children and make sure they understand the dangers associated with e-bikes.