Micromobility is here to stay on Long Island

Prioritizing safety for all road users as e-bike and e-scooter ridership continues to grow across Nassau and Suffolk Counties

Micromobility or e-mobility is a term you may hear or read about in the news, on social media, and in conversation with neighbors. E-bikes, e-scooters, and other compact motorized vehicles have been popular in urban areas and New York City for some time. These days, they’re rapidly proliferating on Long Island, too.

According to Drive Electric Long Island, Long Island represents 28% of the NYS total of 197,358 electric vehicles, despite being only 15% of the state’s population. Registered electric vehicles on Long Island grew by 45% from 35,426 at the end of 2022 to 51,131 at the end of 2023. From an increase in the purchase of e-bikes and e-scooters to the injuries and fatalities caused by these devices on our roads, micromobility is inarguably making its mark on our island.

What is micromobility or e-mobility, and what’s so great about it anyway?

According to the Federal Highway Administration, micromobility devices are defined as “small, low-speed vehicles intended for personal use and includes station-based bikeshare systems, dockless bikeshare systems, electronic-assist bikeshare, and electronic scooters.”

According to the US Department of Transportation, electric micromobility devices have quite a few advantages for their users and the environment, as long as safe active transportation infrastructure is in place. In car-centric regions like Long Island, micromobility devices offer a convenient form of active transportation that can sometimes eliminate the need for a car. These battery-powered vehicles can also help reduce traffic congestion and reduce emissions caused by traditional gas-powered cars and vehicles. Learn more about the benefits of active transportation from Let’s Move LI.

The dangers of micromobility

The safety risks associated with micromobility devices are well-documented throughout Long Island and beyond. In our car-centric region, infrastructure to support active transportation is lacking, and so are regulations surrounding micromobility devices. Without dedicated road space for these devices, they pose a safety threat to all other road users.

On Long Island, e-mobility users often ride on sidewalks, shoulders, and areas designated for other road users like drivers, pedestrians, or traditional cyclists. In August of this year, a man was riding his electric scooter before turning into a lane and being struck by a vehicle. In January of 2024, two teen e-bike riders were injured in a crash with a car in St. James.

Storage of the lithium batteries that typically power micromobility devices also pose a safety threat. This past summer the New York Fire Department reported over 100 lithium-ion battery fires by June of 2024. One e-bike caught fire in Brooklyn and injured four pedestrians, as well as damaging the building it resided in. More recently, on October 15 in Brighton Beach a lithium-ion battery sparked a fire that caused the fourth lithium-ion battery this year. The FDNY released a safety tip and precautions pamphlet for all of those who may purchase or encounter micromobility or e-mobility devices powered by lithium-ion batteries.

Regional and state laws surrounding micromobility

Walk Safe Long Island’s micromobility webpage outlines all of the NYS laws in place surrounding micromobility, sourced from the New York State Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee. The law defines e-bikes and e-scooters, outlines where it’s legal to ride them, and helmet requirements. However, laws are not always uniform throughout different cities and towns.

Municipalities have the power to set certain micromobility limits and regulations within their local jurisdiction. Click here for a list of all Long Island municipality websites to learn more about the local micromobility rules and regulations in your area.

In July of 2024, Governor Kathy Hochul signed multiple pieces of  micromobility and lithium battery-related legislation into action. This legislative package was comprised of eight new bills to “raise awareness about the safe use of e-bikes and products that contain lithium-ion batteries” for New Yorkers. With these new laws going into effect, the damage done by micromobility and lithium-ion batteries will hopefully decline, although these laws primarily affect the New York City Metropolitan area which sees the most micromobility traffic.

Safety first

For pedestrians, micromobility safety tips are plentiful. Treat micromobility devices the same way you would larger motor vehicles. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) provides traffic safety tips for pedestrians and drivers alike. For all road users, staying aware of your surroundings is crucial.

Micromobility device users can employ the following best practices to stay safe:

• Following the law is good, but understanding the law and taking other factors into consideration before you use a micromobility device on a roadway is better. 

• Plan your route and take factors like roadway infrastructure into account. If your route lacks a shoulder or you know it includes a particularly dangerous intersection, you may want to reconsider your plan.

• Always wear a helmet to reduce the risk of injury and/or fatality.

• Always be aware of your surroundings and fellow road users, including pedestrians, cyclists, drivers, and other micromobility users.

  
  

Imagining a safer micromobility landscape on Long Island

The New York Coalition for Transportation Safety (NYCTS) offers the annual Lowell Wolf Memorial Scholarship. The 2024 winners, Mya Pacheco of Far Rockaway and Romandie Acloque of Baldwin, each received a $1,000 scholarship for their contributions to the micromobility conversation. Pacheco and Acloque were tasked with tackling the safety issue of micromobility with their own original superheroes. Mya’s original superhero Ember has the power to detect when a lithium battery in an e-mobility device is about to explode and prevent an injury or fatality from the device’s malfunction. Romandie’s superhero Luminex acts as a human solar panel to light the way for riders for a safer ride. These students helped open the conversation of micromobility to individuals of all ages. Learn more about our 2024 scholarship winners and hear them speak about their original superheroes here.

Current micromobility laws and infrastructure haven’t caught up with the rapid proliferation of these devices on our shared roadways. Remember when buying and operating any of these micromobility devices to consider your own safety and the safety of those around you. Follow laws, check recalls, register your vehicles, and ride safe.

Learn more about local micromobility laws and regulations from Walk Safe Long Island here.