Speed rules in New York are changing, and the new rules will affect many people: drivers, delivery workers and even pedestrians. The goal is simple and very important, to make the roads much safer. Understanding all of these changes may be difficult, but we are here to explain everything in a very clear way. So, let’s get started.
Why New York is changing the rules
New York authorities decided to create new speed rules because drivers exceeding the speed limit has caused many serious traffic accidents. According to the New York City Department of Transportation, speeding is involved in one out of every four deaths on city streets.
In 2024, something worrying happened: there were 234 deadly accidents, which means almost every day and a half. Out of the 121 pedestrians, 16 were younger than 17 years old. These figures were very concerned and it was time to do something about it.
New York’s mayor, Eric Adams, explained that lowering the speed limit—especially for e-bikes—is an important step to keep people safe while still allowing the city to function normally. He said:
“This new 15-mile-per-hour speed limit for e-bikes is about keeping New Yorkers safe while continuing to keep our city moving.”
Reasons behind the new speed rules
These rules didn’t happen in just one day, they are the result of several issues that have been accumulating in the last years:
- Too many complaints about fast scooters and e-bikes: People in all five boroughs were upset because scooters and electric bikes were traveling too fast and causing dangerous situations.
- More crashes and deaths: The high number of deadly crashes in 2024 showed that something needed to change.
- New York wants safer streets through Vision Zero: This is a city program that aims to reduce or even eliminate traffic deaths.
- Learning from other countries: In many places of Europe e-bikes have a speed limit of about 25 km/h, which is considered safe. So, New York wanted to adopt a similar idea.
The new rules affect daily life
The new speed rules in New York will change the way in which many people move around the city. Let’s see how this situation will affect different people:
- Drivers: Drivers will have to plan ahead to go wherever they want to go. This can affect the traffic, work journeys, and delivery schedules. Even though the rules will be implemented, there will be a first teaching phase (where the first offense won’t result in a fine, but a warning).
- Pedestrians and cyclers: They could drive in a much safer way by driving slower. So, in case a crash happens the probabilities of suffering serious injuries are low.
- Delivery workers: Workers who depend on speed may experience some difficulties. The deliveries could delay, which can cause tensions with clients or even other drivers. Yet, the government plans on working with delivery organizations to explain the rules and help them adjust.
What New York wants for the future
New York wants to redesign its entire transport system to be safer. Not only this includes speed limits, but also new regulations, security improvements, and more coordination among different agencies. It is similar to other recent changes in the state, like stricter laws on the use of devices inside the car.
This means drivers will have to get used to leaving early and understand that these changes are not about lowering the speed, but about improving general functioning of the roads. Do you think this measure is enough to make roads a safe place for drivers? We will see if this is something useful in the future or not.