New York Bill Would Ban Sales of High-Speed E-Motos
Senate Bill S.10700 would prohibit online and in-store sales of electric two-wheelers exceeding 20 mph that are not registered with the DMV.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Electric Vehicles
New York lawmakers introduced Senate Bill S.10700 to ban the sale of e-motos, high-speed electric two-wheelers capable of exceeding 50 mph. The proposal follows a fatal head-on collision on the Queensboro Bridge bike path involving an illegal high-speed electric vehicle.
Why it matters
The bill would shift enforcement to the point of sale, targeting retailers rather than relying on police action after crashes occur on public roads and bike lanes. Supporters argue the problem must be stopped before vehicles reach riders in New York.
The bill defines an e-moto as any electric two-wheeler traveling over 20 mph not qualifying as a standard e-bike or e-scooter and not registered with the DMV. It proposes civil penalties of up to $1,000 per violation for retailers selling to New York buyers.
The players
Kristen Gonzalez
Gonzalez is a New York State Senator who co-sponsored Senate Bill S.10700 to restrict e-moto sales.
Diana Moreno
Moreno is a New York State Assemblymember who co-sponsored Senate Bill S.10700 alongside Senator Kristen Gonzalez.
The details
The bill would ban both online and brick-and-mortar retailers from selling e-motos to New York buyers, and would explicitly prohibit marketing 40 or 50 mph electric motorcycles as e-bikes. Sellers would be required to post warnings that e-motos cannot legally be ridden on public roads, bike lanes, or sidewalks in the state.
Timeline
2026: California, Illinois, and New Jersey introduced or passed similar legislation.
November 4, 2026: Senate Bill S.10700 introduced by New York lawmakers.
Roadmap
New York's bill joins California, Illinois, and New Jersey in pursuing 2026 legislation targeting high-speed electric two-wheelers at the point of sale. The effort reflects a broader push to regulate electric vehicles that fall outside existing e-bike and e-scooter categories.
If enacted, New York buyers would be unable to purchase e-motos from online or brick-and-mortar retailers, and sellers would need to post warnings that these vehicles cannot legally be ridden on public roads, bike lanes, or sidewalks. Riders of high-speed electric two-wheelers classified as e-motos would face restrictions on where they can legally operate.
The takeaway
Buyers of electric two-wheelers should confirm whether a vehicle's top speed and DMV registration status place it in the e-moto category before purchase. Riders should check local rules on where electric two-wheelers may legally operate.
Further reading
Explore more coverage in Electric Vehicles for context on how high-speed electric two-wheelers are being regulated.
