How many e-bike accidents are there per year?

Reporting is still catching up to ridership. NYPD now separates e-bikes from traditional bicycles in collision reports. The 2023 NYC DOT data recorded 933 e-bike crashes and 23 e-bike rider deaths, a 24-year high for cycling fatalities. Crashes fell to 782 in 2024, and the first half of 2025 saw six e-bike rider deaths, down from nine in the same period of 2024. E-bike injuries are up 36% over the past three years even as crash counts level off. Federal CPSC data shows tens of thousands of e-bike injuries treated nationally each year, and NYC's share is outsized.

Why are electric bikes being banned?

E-bikes aren't broadly banned in NYC, but specific classes and uses are restricted. Sidewalk riding is illegal for all classes. NYC has cracked down on illegally modified e-bikes that exceed the 25 mph Class 3 limit, particularly in delivery fleets. A separate driver of regulation is lithium-ion battery fires: FDNY data tied a string of fatal apartment fires to improperly charged or counterfeit e-bike batteries, which prompted new battery-safety rules in 2023 and 2024. Crash injuries and battery fires are different problems, but both have shaped how the city regulates e-bikes.

Are e-bikes allowed in bike lanes in NYC?

Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes, which top out at 20 mph, are permitted in NYC bike lanes under NYC DOT rules. Class 3 e-bikes, which can pedal-assist up to 25 mph under New York's Vehicle and Traffic Law § 1238, are legal on city streets but must travel in the roadway with motor vehicle traffic, and the rider must wear a helmet. Sidewalk riding is illegal for every class. If a legal e-bike rider is hit by a car in a bike lane, the same negligence rules that apply to traditional cyclists apply to the claim, including no-fault PIP benefits under Insurance Law § 5102 and owner liability under VTL § 388.

E-Bike Crashes in NYC: Data Behind the Headlines

In 2023, 23 of 30 cyclist deaths in New York City involved e-bikes. That’s 77% of all cycling fatalities, and it marked a 24-year high in bicycle deaths overall. E-bike ridership is exploding, and the NYC DOT 2023 Bicycle Crash Data Report reflects it. Crash hot spots include the Manhattan Bridge bike path, Queens Boulevard, and Flatbush Avenue.

New York City accounts for a disproportionate share of the national problem. Between 2017 and 2022, 47% of all e-bike fatalities nationwide occurred in NYC, despite the city representing just 2.5% of the U.S. population.

The Numbers

E-bike crash data has improved as NYPD collision reports now separate e-bikes from traditional bicycles. Here’s what the recent data shows:

23 e-bike rider deaths in 2023, a 24-year high for cycling fatalities
79 serious e-bike injuries in 2023, a jump of 50 from the prior year
933 e-bike crashes in 2023, declining to 782 in 2024
E-bike-related injuries up 36% over the past three years
Six e-bike rider deaths in the first half of 2025, down from nine in the same period of 2024

The decline in crashes from 2023 to 2024 is encouraging. But the three-year trend in injuries shows that the overall risk is growing as more riders hit the streets.

Who’s Getting Hurt

E-Bike Riders

Delivery workers face the highest risk. They ride in traffic eight to 12 hours a day, often in rush hour. App algorithms push speed: slow deliveries mean low ratings and fewer orders. Many ride at night with bad lighting. Most ride e-bikes that hit 25 to 30 mph.

At 25 mph, a rider who hits an open car door, a pothole, or gets cut off by a turning car gets hurt badly. Broken bones, brain injuries, internal bleeding, and spinal damage are common.

Commuter and casual e-bike riders face different risks. They tend to ride in daylight on set routes, often with helmets. Their crashes usually involve cars making turns at intersections.

Pedestrians

People hit by e-bikes are a growing share of traffic injuries. A 60-pound e-bike with a 170-pound rider at 20 mph hits hard. For older people, these crashes cause hip fractures, head trauma, and internal injuries.

The most common scenarios:

Sidewalk riding. It’s illegal, but e-bikes on sidewalks are common among delivery riders dodging traffic. Walkers get no warning.
Wrong-way riding in bike lanes. E-bikes going against traffic surprise people crossing at corners.
Red-light running. E-bikes blowing red lights hit walkers who have the right of way.
Shared path conflicts. On greenways, the speed gap between a 20 mph e-bike and a walking person creates crash risk.

The Legal Landscape

E-bike regulation in New York has shifted rapidly.

2020: New York State legalized e-bikes and e-scooters, establishing three classes based on speed and throttle capability. Class 3 riders must wear helmets under .

Class 1 (pedal-assist, 20 mph max): Legal on streets and bike lanes.
Class 2 (throttle-assist, 20 mph max): Legal on streets and bike lanes.
Class 3 (pedal-assist, 25 mph max): Legal on streets and bike lanes. Helmet required.

Sidewalk riding remains illegal for all classes. Riders on sidewalks who strike pedestrians face potential liability and traffic citations.

2023 to 2024: NYC enacted lithium-ion battery safety regulations after a series of e-bike battery fires killed delivery workers in their apartments. While fire safety is a separate issue from crash safety, the legislative attention brought broader e-bike regulation into focus.

Who’s Liable When Crashes Happen

The liability picture depends on the specifics.

E-Bike Rider Hit by a Motor Vehicle

This is the most common serious injury scenario. The rider has the same legal rights as a traditional cyclist:

No serious injury threshold. Like pedestrians and traditional cyclists, e-bike riders can sue for all damages without meeting the no-fault serious injury threshold under .
Driver negligence covers failure to yield, distracted driving, dooring, and turning without checking for bikes.
Vehicle owner liability applies under .

Pedestrian Struck by an E-Bike

If an e-bike strikes a pedestrian, the rider may be personally liable. But there are often additional parties:

Delivery app companies may bear liability if the rider was making a delivery. Courts have increasingly held app companies responsible for the actions of their delivery workers.
The e-bike manufacturer may be liable if a defect like brake failure or throttle malfunction contributed to the crash.
A motor vehicle may be the indirect cause if a car forced the e-bike rider onto the sidewalk or into a pedestrian.

Solo E-Bike Crashes

Solo crashes happen when a rider hits a pothole, raised manhole cover, or construction plate. In these cases, the City of New York may be liable for the road condition. These claims require a Notice of Claim within 90 days under .

E-bike product defects, including battery failures, brake malfunctions, and frame breakage, may support a product liability claim against the manufacturer or retailer.

Infrastructure Gaps

NYC’s bike lanes were built for bikes going 10 to 15 mph. E-bikes go 20 to 30 mph. The streets have not caught up.

Bike Lanes Are Too Narrow

A fast e-bike passing a regular cyclist in a five-foot lane leaves inches of room.

Signals Don’t Account for E-Bike Speed

Light timing is set for slower bikes. E-bikes get to the intersection before the signal expects them.

No Place for Delivery Riders to Stage

They cluster near restaurants, double-park their e-bikes, and block traffic.

What to Do After an E-Bike Crash

If you’re an e-bike rider hit by a car:

Call 911 and get medical treatment. Don’t move the e-bike until police arrive.
Photograph the scene, including the bike lane or lack thereof, traffic signals, and damage.
Get the driver’s insurance information and license plate.
Note whether the driver was turning, changing lanes, or opening a door.

If you’re a pedestrian hit by an e-bike:

Call 911. E-bike crashes are reportable accidents.
Identify the rider and photograph the e-bike (brand, battery, license plate if applicable).
If the rider was making a delivery, note the app or restaurant involved.
Get witness contact information.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I sue a delivery company if their rider hits me on an e-bike?

Yes. If the rider was making a delivery for an app-based company, the company may share liability. NYC regulations require commercial e-bike operators to carry insurance. Your attorney can investigate the employment relationship and insurance coverage.

Are e-bike riders required to have insurance in NYC?

Individual e-bike riders are not required to carry liability insurance. Businesses that use e-bikes for commercial deliveries are required to have coverage. This creates a gap for crashes involving recreational or commuting riders, where the rider’s personal assets may be the only source of recovery.

What if I was injured by an e-bike rider who fled the scene?

Hit-and-run e-bike crashes are unfortunately common. If you can’t identify the rider, your own auto insurance policy’s uninsured motorist coverage may apply. Your attorney can also investigate whether surveillance cameras captured the incident.