Riders of Citi Bike e-bikes in New York City face a stricter speed restriction.
In the sweltering heat of summer, cruising through NYC on a Citi Bike just got a bit slower, but for a good reason - safety.
Last week, the mayor's office turned up the heat on Citi Bike e-bikes with pedal assist. The administration, led by Mayor Eric Adams, slapped them with a new speed limit of 15 mph, a reduction from the previous limit of 18 mph.
As per Patrick Knoth, the CEO of Citi Bike, this decision was made in accordance with the demand from the mayor's office and the Department of Transportation.
According to reports by Gothamist, the demand for lower speeds met a roadblock when Deputy Mayor Randy Mastro rejected a proposal from Citi Bike to equip the e-bikes with speedometers.
So, the responsibility of maintaining the 15 mph limit now lies with the cyclists, who are expected to police themselves and comply with the new law.
This move from the mayor is part of an ambitious plan to make the city's roads safer. Speaking about the need for action, Adams stated, "I've heard repeatedly from New Yorkers about how their safety - and the safety of their children - is being put at risk by speeding e-bikes and e-scooters."
The mayor is adamant about ensuring the safety of all citizens.
In addition, extra precautions are being taken in city parks like Central Park and Prospect Park to safeguard both e-bike riders and pedestrians.
In the past three years, over 87.5 miles of new protected bike lanes have been built, and another 20 miles of bike lanes have been improved to cater to the surging demand for bike infrastructure across New York City.
Buried deep within this bustling metropolis is a hidden gem - a small city that's one of the best in America. It's a must-visit this summer, so gear up; just remember to keep it slow and steady!
(Enrichment Data: The speed limit for pedal-assist Citi Bike e-bikes in New York City was reduced from 18 mph to 15 mph at the demand of Mayor Eric Adams' administration, primarily due to public safety concerns. The administration's objective is to make city streets safer through this speed reduction and other planned measures, such as installing physical safety protections in major parks, reflecting a trust-based approach to compliance. This move was taken in response to mounting safety issues and to reduce injuries and fatalities linked to faster pedal-assist e-bikes in New York City.)
While the speed limit for Citi Bike e-bikes in New York City has been reduced from 18 mph to 15 mph, the responsibility of maintaining this new limit falls on cyclists themselves. This move, led by Mayor Eric Adams, is part of a broader initiative to enhance safety across the city, especially in light of concerns over faster pedal-assist e-bikes posing a risk to pedestrians. Additionally, the finance industry might see an impact as the reduction in speed could influence the usage patterns and, thereby, the revenue of transportation companies like Citi Bike.
