Working Bicycle Riders (Commercial Cyclists) are required to ride lawfully and respectfully. Businesses that employ working cyclists are required to supply gear and other material, such as:
- A bicycle helmet that meets ANSI or Snell Standards, bicycle lights, bells and reflectors
- Displaying a Commercial Cyclist Safety poster visible to both employed cyclist and customers
- Upper body garment with the business' name and bicycle operator identification number
- A sign on the bicycle with business name and bicycle operator identification number
- A business identification card with the cyclists' name, photo and the business name, address and telephone number
For more details, see New York Administrative Code Law section 10-157: Bicycles used for commercial purposes.
Learn more about commercial bicycling rules and requirements.
Use of Motorized Scooters or Electric Bicycles
Motorized scooters or electric bicycles without a license plate are prohibited by City and State law. They are not allowed on public roadways.
The City's Department of Transportation maintains New York City Traffic Rules and educates business owners and delivery cyclists on bicycle safety laws, including the commercial cyclist laws.
The NYPD enforces these laws and the Traffic Rules.
Pedal-Assist Bicycles
Certain pedal-assist bicycles may be legally operated on New York City streets.
Pedal-assist bicycles are defined as bicycles that have fully operable pedals and an electric motor of less than 750 watts (1 horsepower). The electric motor can only engage when the operator is pedaling and going less than 20 miles per hour, and disengages or stops to function when the operator brakes, stops pedaling, or when the bicycle reaches a speed of 20 miles per hour. Pedal-assist bicycles cannot be equipped with any throttle capacity or have additional motorized equipment attached to it.
The pedal-assist bicycle must have an original label, provided by the bicycle or electric motor manufacturer, that states the maximum motor-assisted speed and motor wattage of the bicycle. Pedal-assist bicycles that have been modified are not considered to be pedal-assist bicycles and may not be operated on NYC streets.
