Mineola, N.Y. — A fatal e-bike crash involving a 17-year-old rider in Lower Manhattan is renewing calls for tougher regulation of electric bicycles, with a New York personal injury attorney urging lawmakers to treat high-speed e-bikes more like motorcycles than traditional bicycles.

On July 29, a 17-year-old riding an e-bike northbound on Centre Street was killed after colliding with an SUV traveling in the same direction. According to published reports, the e-bike involved was an illegal model capable of reaching speeds of up to 30 miles per hour—well above the limits for e-bikes legally sold in New York.

The tragedy comes as e-bike use continues to surge across the country. According to the American College of Surgeons:

* More than 1.1 million e-bikes were sold in the United States in 2022.
* Sales are projected to grow by 10% annually.
* More than 20,000 riders are injured each year, including approximately 3,000 hospitalizations, although researchers believe hospitalizations may be underreported.
* E-bike injuries have increased steadily and now outpace injuries involving traditional bicycles.
* Head injuries are the most common serious injury, yet only about one-third of riders wear helmets.

"These are not bicycles in the traditional sense," said Ira Slavit, partner at Levine & Slavit, PLLC. "Many e-bikes are heavier, accelerate faster and travel at speeds that can rival motorized vehicles. The law needs to recognize that reality before more lives are lost."

Slavit is calling on New York lawmakers to adopt statewide regulations for high-speed e-bikes, including registration requirements for certain models, enforceable speed limits, stronger enforcement against illegal e-bikes, and expanded public education on helmet use and rider safety.

"New York City has already recognized that speed matters by imposing limits on bicycles," Slavit said. "Those protections shouldn't end at the city line. As e-bikes become more common throughout the state, we need consistent rules that prioritize public safety while allowing people to enjoy this mode of transportation responsibly."

According to Slavit, the combination of increasing e-bike ownership, higher operating speeds and limited oversight has created a growing public safety concern for riders, motorists and pedestrians alike.

"As these vehicles become more powerful and more common, the legal framework governing them needs to evolve," he said. "Waiting until the next fatal crash is the wrong approach."

For more information on Levine & Slavit, visit www.newyorkinjuries.com.

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About Levine & Slavit PLLC
Levine & Slavit PLLC is a third-generation personal injury firm serving Long Island and the greater New York City area. Its attorneys handle cases such as auto accidents, slip and fall injuries, medical malpractice, wrongful death and products lability. The firm strives to obtain just recovery for its personal injury clients, whether for long-term or short-term needs, and works hard to ensure that its clients are not burdened with costly medical bills as a result of someone else’s action or inaction. For more information, visit www.newyorkinjuries.com.