Suffolk police crackdown on e-bikes with new county law
With the rise in popularity of electric bikes and scooters and a growing number of injuries, Suffolk police say they are now strictly enforcing county laws regulating their use.
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Body camera video shows a Suffolk police officer pulling over a man riding an e-scooter on the Long Island Expressway in Brentwood.
“You don’t have a helmet on, you’re not allowed to be on the highway, you can’t be on roads over 30 mph,” the officer tells the rider in the footage.
With the rise in popularity of electric bikes and scooters and a growing number of injuries, Suffolk police say they are now strictly enforcing county laws regulating their use.
“There is nothing safe about e-bikes. They are inherently dangerous,” Suffolk Police Commissioner Kevin Catalina said.
Police say anyone riding an e-bike or e-scooter must wear a helmet. Riders must be at least 16 years old and cannot exceed speeds of 20 mph. Riding on sidewalks or on roads with speed limits higher than 30 mph also prohibited. Authorities say reckless or impaired riding can result in the e-bike or e-scooter being confiscated.
“There are going to be e-bikes that we impound, and I fully expect that and I fully expect people to be upset about it, but quite frankly if you don’t care about your children, we do,” Catalina said.
Suffolk police say since March 1, they have issued nearly 100 tickets to riders for violations involving e-bikes and e‑scooters, including riding on sidewalks or on roads where the speed limit exceeds 30 mph.
Some residents say parents need to take more responsibility.
“These parents are responsible, that’s where the problem is,” said Keith Olsen, of Greenlawn.
“It’s only going to get worse if we don’t fix it,” added Paul Granite, also of Greenlawn.
Police say penalties for violating the e‑bike law increase with each offense. A first offense carries a fine of up to $500. A second offense can result in a $1,500 fine, and a third offense can lead to jail time.
Nassau prohibits the use of any class two or three e-bike, and any e-scooter, on county roads, sidewalks and properties.
