New York E-Bike Laws
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The three e-bike classes
New York law calls an e-bike a "bicycle with electric assist": a bike with working pedals, an electric motor under 750 watts, and no more than 36 inches wide.
Class 1 helps only while you pedal and stops helping at 20 mph. Class 2 can move the bike on the motor alone (a throttle) and stops helping at 20 mph. Class 3 is different from most states: it exists only in a city of 1 million or more people (New York City), can run on the motor alone, and stops helping at 25 mph. Outside New York City, a legal e-bike is Class 1 or Class 2.
Source: NY VTL 102-c
Where e-bikes can ride by default
New York works the opposite way from most states. E-bikes are not allowed on public lands or property, other than highways, unless the owner has designated and posted that land for e-bikes. A trail that says nothing about e-bikes is not a yes in New York.
State agencies can designate lands by regulation or order, and cities, towns and villages can do it by local law. Cities, towns and villages can also set their own rules on when, where and how e-bikes are ridden.
On roads, e-bikes are limited to highways posted at 30 mph or less unless local rules say otherwise. Sidewalks are off-limits unless a local law allows them.
In New York City, NYC Parks runs a pilot that allows Class 1, 2 and 3 e-bikes on park drives and greenways (not on paths or sidewalks) from June 20, 2023 through December 31, 2026.
Source: NY VTL 1242 · NYC Parks: E-bikes
Age, helmet and equipment rules
No one under 16 may ride an e-bike. Class 3 riders must wear a helmet.
The motor must cut out when you hit the brakes or stop pedaling, or run through a switch that cuts power when you let go. In New York City, the speed limit for e-bike riders is 15 mph.
Source: NY VTL 1242 · NY VTL 1238 · NYC DOT: E-bikes
State parks
New York State Parks allows Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes under a policy that took effect June 4, 2026. Class 3 is banned at every State Parks facility, including parkways.
Class 1 and 2 can ride on boardwalks and on shared-use trails that are paved or improved with materials like crushed stone or asphalt, including carriage roads, unless a sign says otherwise. On natural-surface trails open to regular bikes, only Class 1 is allowed; Class 2 is banned there. The top speed on these trails is 15 mph, and each park can set a lower limit or ban e-bikes by sign. Minnewaska, for example, allows Class 1 only.
The Canal Corporation's Erie and Champlain Canalway Trails allow Class 1 and 2, ban Class 3, and set a 15 mph limit.
Source: OPRHP Policy OPR-POL-032 · NYS Canal Corporation: Trails
State wildlife and forest lands
On DEC's Forest Preserve, state forests, multiple use areas and unique areas, e-bikes may use DEC public roads unless the road is posted closed. All off-road riding, including trails, is banned. The one exception is the Remsen-Lake Placid Travel Corridor (the Adirondack Rail Trail), which is open to Class 1 only.
Wildlife management areas treat e-bikes as motor vehicles. No conservation easements currently allow e-bikes.
Source: NYS DEC: Biking
National forests
The Finger Lakes National Forest follows Forest Service policy: e-bikes aren't allowed on non-motorized trails, but Class 1, 2 and 3 are allowed on roads and motorized trails.
Source: Green Mountain & Finger Lakes NF · USDA Forest Service: E-bikes
Trails we've checked
Capital Region, Adirondacks & North Country
- Adirondack & Catskill Forest Preserve and State Forests (DEC lands) 🟡 Motorized routes onlyNYS Department of Environmental Conservation
- Adirondack Rail Trail 🟠 Class 1 onlyNYS Department of Environmental Conservation
- Champlain Canalway Trail 🟢 Class 1 & 2 onlyNYS Canal Corporation
- Empire State Trail 🟢 Class 1 & 2 onlyEmpire State Development with NYS Parks, NYS Canal Corporation and local owners
Central & Western New York
- Erie Canalway Trail 🟢 Class 1 & 2 onlyNYS Canal Corporation (with NYS Parks on some segments)
- Finger Lakes National Forest 🟡 Motorized routes onlyUSDA Forest Service – Green Mountain & Finger Lakes National Forests
- Genesee Valley Greenway State Park 🟢 Class 1 & 2 onlyNYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation
Hudson Valley & Westchester
- Ashokan Rail Trail 🟢 Class 1 & 2 onlyUlster County (with NYC Department of Environmental Protection)
- Bronx River Pathway 🔴 NoWestchester County Parks
- Harlem Valley Rail Trail 🟢 Class 1 & 2 onlyDutchess County Parks (Dutchess section); NYS Parks (Columbia section)
- Minnewaska State Park Preserve (carriage roads) 🟠 Class 1 onlyNYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (Palisades region)
- North and South County Trailway (Andrew P. O'Rourke Westchester County Trailway) 🔴 NoWestchester County Parks
- Old Croton Aqueduct State Historic Park (trailway) 🟠 Class 1 onlyNYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation
- Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park 🟢 Class 1 & 2 onlyNYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation
- William R. Steinhaus Dutchess Rail Trail 🟢 Class 1 & 2 onlyDutchess County Parks
Long Island
- Bethpage Bikeway (Bethpage State Park) 🟢 Class 1 & 2 onlyNYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation
- Jones Beach State Park (boardwalk and bikeway) 🟢 Class 1 & 2 onlyNYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation
New York City
- Central Park Drives ✅ Yes, all classesNYC Department of Parks & Recreation
- Hudson River Greenway (Manhattan Waterfront Greenway, west side) ❔ Call firstNYS DOT (bikeway in Hudson River Park) / NYC Parks (Riverside Park and north)
- Prospect Park Loop (park drive) ✅ Yes, all classesNYC Department of Parks & Recreation (with Prospect Park Alliance)
- Riegelmann Boardwalk (Coney Island) ❔ Call firstNYC Department of Parks & Recreation
Common questions
What are the e-bike classes in New York?
New York has Class 1 (pedal-assist to 20 mph) and Class 2 (throttle, cuts out at 20 mph) statewide. Class 3 (throttle allowed, cuts out at 25 mph) exists only in cities of 1 million or more, which means New York City.
Where can I ride an e-bike in New York?
New York works the opposite way from most states. E-bikes are not allowed on public lands or property, other than highways, unless the owner has designated and posted that land for e-bikes. A trail that says nothing about e-bikes is not a yes in New York. State agencies can designate lands by regulation or order, and cities, towns and villages can do it by local law. Cities, towns and villages can also set their own rules on when, where and how e-bikes are ridden.
Can I ride an e-bike in New York state parks?
New York State Parks allows Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes under a policy that took effect June 4, 2026. Class 3 is banned at every State Parks facility, including parkways.
Is there an age limit or helmet law for e-bikes in New York?
No one under 16 may ride an e-bike. Class 3 riders must wear a helmet.
Are e-bikes allowed in national forests in New York?
The Finger Lakes National Forest follows Forest Service policy: e-bikes aren't allowed on non-motorized trails, but Class 1, 2 and 3 are allowed on roads and motorized trails.