Scooters, Hoverboards, and Bicycles; What’s Legal?

New Yorkers enjoy many new forms of transportation such as electric scooters, electric bicycles, hoverboards, skateboards, in-line skates, electric wheelchairs, and more. The laws governing these forms of transportation are confusing and mostly unenforced, if they are even enforceable. State laws and regulations on vehicle and roadway usage typically trump conflicting local laws, except in New York City, where the New York City Council has been given much authority to promulgate laws and regulations on … <Read More>


Council Passes Bill Establishing Trade-In Program for Lithium-Ion Batteries

On September 15, 2023, the City Council passed Int. 0949-2023, which establishes a program where individuals can trade in lithium-ion batteries or powered mobility devices that do not comply with safety standards. The bill was introduced by Council Member Keith Powers and aims to promote safety by regulating lithium-ion batteries.



Transportation Expands E-Scooter Share Program to Eastern Queens

On June 15, 2023, Department of Transportation (DOT) Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez announced that the city’s popular Bronx e-scooter share program will expand to eastern Queens in 2024. The decision to expand the e-scooter share program follows the program’s early success, which saw over two million trips taken by 115,470 users in the Bronx since the program launched in August 2021.


GUEST COMMENTARY: The City of Yes – NYC is Taking Leadership on Energy Storage System Siting

 

by Caroline G. Harris, Esq. Goldman Harris LLC and Eric Vath, Esq. Goldman Harris LLC

To meet the climate goals of the 2016 Paris Agreement, New York State and New York City have adopted aggressive energy efficiency goals.  The Mayor’s 2022 City of Yes program announced numerous initiatives to make the city sustainable, resilient and equitable.  One of them, the City of Yes: Carbon Neutrality, aims to reduce our reliance on carbon-based fuels by … <Read More>


Mayor Signs E-Bike Fire Safety Bills, Announces E-Bike Safety Plan

On March 20, 2023, Mayor Eric Adams announced a new plan to address lithium-ion battery fires and powered mobility device safety. Following an increase in fires due to faulty or refurbished batteries, both the Mayor’s Office and City Council have worked to develop solutions to improve fire safety and reduce avoidable fires while promoting methods of micromobility that thousands of New Yorkers, including delivery workers, depend on daily.