Electric scooters and e-bikes remain illegal in New York

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In the American state of New York, electric scooters and e-bikes remain illegal for the time being. The governor vetoed a law change.

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New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has wiped out all hopes of scooter sharing companies like Bird and Lime to settle in the popular metropolis and surrounding areas with a simple veto. However, the new law was passed with a huge majority. Electric scooters and e-bikes (like the Cowboy 2019) still technically remain illegal across the state.

Absolute majority was in favour

In June, an amendment to the legislation was passed by a large majority in the Senate. That happened with a voting result of 56-6. The New York State Assembly also approved the amendment with a vote of 137-4. However, the law was not immediately forwarded to Cuomo for fear he would get in the way of its implementation. Those fears seemed well founded, because he vetoed the bill. However, Cuomo has shown support for the amendment in the past, but a personal conflict between Cuomo and one of the sponsors of the legislation proved reason enough to invoke a veto. Officially, Cuomo said that it was mainly the lack of mandatory helmet legislation and other safety reasons that caused the veto.

Fines for bicycle couriers

The veto will mainly have a negative effect on bicycle couriers who are trying to earn a living in New York state. After all, many of them rely on their electric bicycles to deliver take-out and other packages, but these are currently illegal. This means that they can be fined up to $500 and their bicycle can even be confiscated until those fines are paid. It also doesn’t help that agents in the state seem to be specifically targeting the couriers.

Bird and Lime disappointed

Bird and Lime said they were disappointed with the governor’s decision, but they also remain hopeful that a solution will emerge in the new year, so that micro mobility can also develop in New York. Electric scooters are still illegal in the Netherlands.