As of June 2025, all electric Citi Bikes across New York City have been capped at a top speed of 15 mph – down from the previous 20 mph.
Why the change? According to city officials, the move comes in response to a growing number of e-bike-related injuries and complaints, especially involving tourists and inexperienced riders. But this new regulation might be the first domino to fall in a wider war on micromobility speed. We previously documented California’s similar crackdown on throttle-operated e-bikes here. We sincerely hope that this wave doesn’t spread.
Why 15 MPH?
City officials argue the reduced limit aligns better with the average rider’s capabilities and improves safety on crowded streets and greenways. It also brings Citi Bike speeds in line with traditional pedal bikes, reducing possibility of collision between cyclists and e-bike riders in shared lanes.
To be clear, this speed cap only applies to Citi Bike’s fleet—privately owned e-bikes are still legal up to 20 mph (Class 1 & 2) and 28 mph with pedal assist only (Class 3). But for how long…?
E-Riders Reactions
Local commuters who rely on Citi Bike’s e-bikes are calling the change a huge downgrade. With NYC’s notorious traffic and long commute times, that 5 mph difference can make a decent sized difference in commuting times.
Delivery riders have also voiced concerns. Though many use their own e-bikes, there’s growing worry that the city may apply similar restrictions fleet-wide in the future. And if that happens, it’s going to hit working-class riders the hardest.
Overall, this speed restriction will likely influence commuter choices, and steer them towards cars instead of bikes, which is exactly the opposite sort of change that needs to happen in American cities, especially crowded ones like New York City.
A Glimpse into the Future?
Here’s the real question: Is this speed cap a one-off move for a public fleet, or is it a preview of stricter e-bike laws to come?
With California already cracking down on throttle use (see our deep dive on SB-1271), and a patchwork of state-by-state laws nationwide, NYC’s 15 mph policy could influence other cities looking for a quick safety win.
If NYC can downgrade its flagship e-bike fleet speed limit and still claim this is in support of micromobility, what’s stopping Chicago, D.C., or L.A. from following suit?
The Freshly Charged Take
At Freshly Charged, we’re all about rider safety (always wear your safety gear!) but not at the expense of utility. E-bikes are a solution to congestion, climate issues, and last-mile transit—not a problem to be clamped down on with burdensome regulation.
Safety matters, but so does practicality. If e-bikes get regulated into the same performance tier as pedal bikes, the entire purpose of electrification goes away. For commuters and couriers especially, it’s a frustrating step backward.
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