States Rethink E-Bike and Scooter Rules as Speeds Rise
States are reviewing rules for electric bicycles and scooters as faster models become common and crashes increase. Recent fatal incidents have prompted local safety campaigns and proposals for age limits, licensing, and other standards. Existing regulations have struggled to keep up with the devices' growing capabilities.
Recent fatalities have intensified scrutiny: a Washington, D.C., rider on a scooter capable of 55 mph died after colliding with another scooter user; neither wore a helmet. In New York City, officials convened an August hearing, and by September 28 riders of electric devices had died in crashes—the city’s highest count by that point in a year.
Massachusetts’ governor proposed standards in May 2026, calling current rules unclear and inconsistent; the bill remains in committee. Illinois, Michigan and Pennsylvania have acted or weighed restrictions, while a federal safety report found rising e-bike and e-scooter deaths. Consumer Reports tested 13 e-scooters and recommended none, citing speed and injuries.
The push for new rules could affect riders, pedestrians, retailers and manufacturers, especially in dense cities where these devices mix with foot and vehicle traffic. Age limits, licensing or equipment standards may reduce some risks, but they could also complicate access for commuters and delivery workers who rely on low-cost mobility. How broadly rules define e-bikes and scooters may determine whether safety gains fall on high-speed models or also on slower, pedal-assist devices.