About Town Of Cicero Police Dept.

E-Bike Safety Reminder from the Cicero Police Department

With winter behind us, the Cicero Police Department has seen a noticeable increase in electric bicycle (e-bike) use on our roadways. Unfortunately, many riders are failing to follow traffic laws and are operating in an aggressive or unsafe manner.

To help prevent serious accidents, we want to remind residents of important e-bike safety tips and the laws that govern their use. Our department remains committed to both education and enforcement when addressing unsafe e-bike operation.

Residents are encouraged to report unsafe e-bike activity by calling the 911 non-emergency line at 315-425-2333. Officers will respond as calls for service permit. For more information, please visit our website at CiceroPD.US.

New York State E-Bike Laws: What You Need to Know

E-bikes have grown in popularity across Cicero and throughout New York State, offering a convenient and environmentally friendly way to travel. Understanding the law is essential for staying safe and avoiding fines.

Legal Status

E-bikes have been legal in New York State since 2020. They are generally treated like traditional bicycles—not motor vehicles.

This means:

• No      driver’s license required 
• No      registration required 
• No      insurance required 

E-Bike Classes 

New York State defines three types of e-bikes:

Class 1

• Pedal-assist      only (motor works when pedaling) 
• Maximum      speed: 20 mph 

Class 2

• Throttle-assisted      (no pedaling required) 
• Maximum      speed: 20 mph 

Class 3 (Restricted)

• Pedal      assist or throttle 
• Maximum      speed: 25 mph 
• Typically      allowed only in New York City 

To be legal, all e-bikes must:

• Have      working pedals 
• Use      a motor of 750 watts or less 
• Display      a label with class and top speed 

Age and Helmet Requirements

• Riders      must be at least 16 years old 
• Helmets      are required for: 
  • Riders ages 16–17 
  • Class 3 riders (in NYC) 

Even when not required, helmets are strongly recommended for all riders.

Where You Can Ride

E-bikes are generally allowed on:

• Streets      with speed limits of 30 mph or less 
• Designated      bike lanes 

E-bikes are generally NOT allowed on:

• Sidewalks      (unless local laws allow it) 
• High-speed      roads over 30 mph 
• Certain      parks or trails that prohibit motorized devices 

Local municipalities, may have additional rules.

Rules Every Rider Must Follow

E-bike riders must follow the same laws as traditional cyclists, including:

• Obey      all traffic signs and signals 
• Ride      in single file 
• Never      ride under the influence 
• Do      not carry passengers unless designed for it 
• Use      lights and reflectors at night 

Recent Updates (2025–2026)

• Serious      e-bike crashes must now be reported and investigated by the DMV 
• Injury      rates involving e-bikes are increasing, especially in urban areas 

These updates highlight the importance of safe riding practices.

Safety Tips

• Wear      a helmet – reduces risk of serious      injury 
• Ride      defensively – especially at intersections 
• Stay      visible – use lights and reflective      gear 
• Control      your speed – e-bikes accelerate quickly 
• Consider      a safety course – resources are available      through the New York State Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee 

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Using      e-bikes that exceed legal limits 
• Riding      on prohibited sidewalks 
• Ignoring      traffic signals 
• Modifying      e-bikes for higher speeds 

Quick Summary

• E-bikes      are legal in New York State 
• No      license, registration, or insurance required 
• Three-class      system (Class 1, 2, 3) 
• Minimum      age: 16 
• Riders      must follow all traffic laws 
• Local      rules may vary 

The Cicero Police Department encourages all riders to operate responsibly and safely so everyone can enjoy the benefits of e-bikes while reducing the risk of accidents in our community.

Chief Steve Rotunno