ebikes?

[Tug Hill]

After reading all comments, seems pretty grey to me. I know Of people using them on FP and Easement lands, and DEC Rangers have not ticketed them ? What about , pedal assisted, as opposed to hand controlled throttle ?

[timberghost]

There are certain people riding ATVs, UTVs, snow machines, dirt bikes and pretty much you name it on DEC administered lands (including FP, State Parks, and State Forests). That doesn't really make the laws a grey area...

The sad part is there's little enforcement of what's on the books. About a decade ago a ranger or police officer (don't recall all the details) stopped an ATV rider in Harriman SP (PIPC administered), reportedly the guy attempted to flee and almost ran over the ranger who discharged his weapon and wounded the driver. There was much stink about it, the guy sued and in the end the ranger got fired and the guy (probably) still rides his ATV in the park.

NYS Vehicle and Traffic law, as currently written, does not differentiate between pedal assist (PA) or throttle control (TC) only motor equipped vs human powered. NYC enforces the laws on city streets and they choose to ticket and confiscate TC, but allow PA. Other municipalities vary from turning a blind eye to warning or ticketing people. Haven't heard about any other place in NYS confiscating an ebike, but doesn't mean it couldn't happen.

The few law enforcement people I know will admit (off the record) that they won't stop anyone riding an ebike unless they observe the person riding recklessly or breaking some other law.

[Tug Hill]

Timberghost, thanks for the info.

[Trailpatrol]

I saw on the DEC's X/Twitter feed that the Forest Rangers are using e-bikes in Region 5 now.