A field guide to getting there without the gas.
The bill has not become law
Senator Kristen Gonzalez introduced S.10700 on September 14, 2026. The official action history shows a referral to the Senate Rules Committee. The bill has not passed either chamber or become law.
The words 'take effect immediately' appear in the proposal. They would matter if the bill became law; they don't mean its restrictions already apply.
What it would change
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| Subject | What the bill proposes |
|---|---|
| E-moto sales | Prohibit retail and online sale or resale of devices meeting its e-moto definition in New York. |
| Electric off-highway motorcycles | Limit sales to registered ATV dealers with a physical New York location, prohibit online sales, and require the selling dealer to register the motorcycle with DMV before delivery. |
| Warnings and advertising | Add purchase warnings and restrictions on deceptive marketing, with civil penalties and enforcement provisions. |
The official bill page includes the full text and sponsor’s memo. The proposal treats e-motos and electric off-highway motorcycles differently. A headline calling it an 'e-bike ban' doesn't tell you which kind of machine it would cover.
Which machines would it cover?
The proposal defines an e-moto as a motor-equipped device capable of exceeding 20 mph, with important exceptions: it excludes devices expressly excluded from the motor-vehicle definition in Vehicle and Traffic Law section 125, and devices eligible for registration. You need those exceptions as well as the speed figure to work out whether the proposal covers a bike.
Its separate electric off-highway motorcycle definition refers to section 125-a, an electric motor and registration eligibility, with or without pedals. A bike having pedals does not, by itself, put it outside these definitions. Read the definitions in section 1 of the bill to see how the proposal would treat the bike you are considering.
What to do before you buy
The rules already in force are the ones to use when buying today. For a New York City commute, begin with the NYC riding guide and the city’s recent action against online sellers. That enforcement is separate from this state proposal.
If you're considering an e-moto or off-road bike, ask the seller how it's classified, whether it can be registered and what limits apply. Get the documents before paying, and read the return terms. Delivery to a New York address is no promise of a legal commute.
With the buying questions settled, get the tires ready for daily use. Armor-Dilloz is our choice for small tread punctures in air-filled tires. Check what's already inside before adding it, and take a pump. A flat that won't seal still needs a repair.
How to follow the bill
Follow the Senate bill history for amendments, committee action and votes. An amendment could change which bikes it covers. A vote to pass the bill is another step, but the bill still has to become law. This page reflects the proposal checked on September 17, 2026.
