Lawless e-bike riders are transforming Central Park into a "danger zone," prompting calls for a complete ban on the vehicles from concerned locals and safety advocates. The surge in reckless riding has led to an increase in crashes and prompted calls for stricter enforcement.
According to NYPD data, e-bikes and e-scooters were involved in 33 crashes in the park through October 18. Police have issued 144 e-bike tickets through October 25, a significant increase from 39 during the same period the previous year. Despite "no riding" signs in certain areas, many riders, particularly those on delivery bikes, continue to speed and disregard park rules.
"It seems like it’s mostly the delivery guys on their electronic bikes that are speeding because they’re always in a hurry to deliver something," said Lee Zehngebot, a parkgoer. Parks Department workers have reported riders ignoring their requests to slow down or dismount.
The NYC E-Vehicle Safety Alliance rallied in the park to advocate for a ban, highlighting incidents like the one involving Dave Katz, 71, who was hit head-on by an e-biker two years ago. Katz sustained a concussion, broken teeth, a broken nose, and six broken ribs, and continues to suffer from the emotional impact.
Another incident involved Jean Kotler, 43, who suffered a traumatic brain injury after being struck from behind by an e-bike rider while jogging. Doctors had to remove part of her skull.
Community Board 8, which covers the Upper East Side, voted on October 21 to request a citywide ban on all e-bikes, e-scooters, and mopeds in Central Park, with the exception of pedal-assist models. This proposal follows a pilot program launched in 2023 that allowed e-bikes and e-scooters on park drives, a move intended to integrate them with other park traffic after cars were banned in 2018.
However, safety advocates argue the pilot program has not worked, with riders routinely disregarding traffic signals. Janet Schroeder, a spokesperson for the e-vehicle safety alliance, stated, "Our park is not for transportation, it is for relaxation."
In March, Mayor Zohran Mamdani ended criminal summonses for e-bike traffic violations, shifting enforcement to civil tickets. Separately, City Council Speaker Julie Menin removed e-bike registration from her safety package in August, deferring the issue to the state level, where it has historically faced resistance.
A spokesperson for the Parks Department stated that "reckless behavior is never permitted" and that enforcement patrols have been active since the pilot program began in 2023, aiming to ensure the park can "safely accommodate the many diverse ways that New Yorkers get around."