What's happening
This bill requires electric assisted bicycles sold at retail in New York to have a label warning about possible legal restrictions on their use.
Why it matters
Raises consumer awareness of complex legal restrictions. Because electric assisted bicycle legality varies significantly across New York and localities, this bill ensures buyers are directly warned that use on public roads, highways, and sidewalks may be illegal—potentially preventing unintentional violations.
Shifts some responsibility to retailers and manufacturers. The bill requires retailers to add clear labels warning of possible legal restrictions, making them active participants in consumer education and potentially reducing liability for improper use.
Defines what counts as an “electric assisted bicycle”. By specifying features like motor wattage, speed limits, and pedal requirements, the bill clarifies which products must carry the warning, helping both sellers and consumers understand the law’s scope.
Establishes a financial penalty for non-compliance. Retailers who fail to include the required warning face a civil penalty of up to $500, providing a concrete incentive to comply and standardizing enforcement across the state.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Label Electric Bike Sales
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to consumer protection
- Referred to consumer protection
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Label Electric Bike Packages
Assembly Floor Calendar · Sponsor Rebecca Seawright
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
4621
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
March 15, 2019
Introduced by Sen. THOMAS -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Consumer Protection
AN ACT to amend the general business law, in relation to labeling requirements for electric assisted bicycles
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The general business law is amended by adding a new section 399-ggg to read as follows:
§ 399-ggg. Labeling of electric assisted bicycles. 1. No person, firm, or corporation shall sell or offer for sale at retail any electric assisted bicycle unless there is printed on the package in which such electric assisted bicycle is sold or offered for sale a conspicuous notice stating "The operation of electric assisted bicycles on public highways, roads and sidewalks may be unlawful. Please check your state and local laws, ordinances, rules and regulations regarding use of this electric assisted bicycle on public highways, roads and sidewalks."
2. For purposes of this section, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
(a) "Public highway" shall have the same meaning as defined in section one hundred thirty-four of the vehicle and traffic law.
(b) "Sidewalk" shall have the same meaning as defined in section one hundred forty-four of the vehicle and traffic law.
(c) "Electric assisted bicycle" shall mean a bicycle with two or three wheels which has a saddle and fully operative pedals for human propulsion and also has an electric motor. The electric assisted bicycle's electric motor shall: have a power output of less than seven hundred fifty watts; have a maximum speed of less than twenty miles per hour on a paved level surface when powered solely by such a motor while ridden by an operator who weighs one hundred seventy pounds; and be incapable of further increasing the speed of the device when human power is used to propel the device at or more than twenty miles per hour.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD09313-01-9
S. 4621 2
3. Any violation of this section shall be punishable by a civil penalty not to exceed five hundred dollars.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after it shall have become a law.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the general business law, in relation to labeling requirements for electric assisted bicycles
Purpose or general idea of bill
The purpose of this bill is to increase consumer awareness that electric assisted bicycles may not be allowed on public highways, roads or side- walks.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 of this bill amends the general business law by adding a new section, 399-ggg.
- Subdivision one of section 399-ggg requires persons, firms or corpo- rations who sell electric assisted bicycles in a retail venue to include a printed label on the package of the bicycle that indicates the use of such bicycle may be unlawful in certain settings.
- Subdivision 2 of section 399-ggg provides the definitions of "Public highway", "sidewalk", which are consistent with their definitions in the vehicle and traffic law. "Electric assisted bicycle" defined as a bicy- cle with two or three wheels that has a saddle, fully operated pedals and an electric motor that has a power output of less than seven hundred fifty watts and a max speed of twenty miles per hour when ridden on a paved level surface by a 170 pound rider, respectively.
- Subdivision three of section 399-ggg provides for civil penalties associated with violating this section, which are a maximum of five hundred dollars.
Section 2 of this bill states the effective date, which is the one hundred and eightieth day after this bill becomes a law.
Justification
Electric assisted bicycles are deemed to be "motor vehicles" by New York law, and as such they cannot be operated unless they have license plates, are registered with the state, and are insured and meet all the equipment requirements of a motor vehicle. Electric bicycles are quite popular in New York State, and if they are legalized, their usage will likely increase. Because electric bicycles are a recently adopted mode of transportation, many New Yorkers are unfamiliar with the laws govern- ing their use.
This bill requires that electric bicycle packaging be labeled with a notice that reminds consumers that electric bicycles may be illegal to use in certain settings. These labels will promote compliance with New York law, which will in turn protect users of electric bicycles and the public.
Prior legislative history
2018: A6960-B - Passed Assembly; delivered. to Senate, referred to Rules 2017: A6960-A/S5482-A - Referred to Codes
2017: A6960/S5482 - Referred to Consumer Affairs and Protection; Amend and Recommit
Fiscal implications for state and local governments
None to state or local governments.
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the one hundred and eightieth day after it shall have become a law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.