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Bill

S 8948

Relates to lights for bicycles with electric assist and electric scooters

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Joe Addabbo and 2 co-sponsors

New law requires e-bikes and electric scooters shipped into New York to have front white light visible 500 ft, rear red/amber light visible 300 ft, and side visibility.

SUBSTITUTED BY A9209A
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · S 8948

Overview

Bill S. 8948 (2025-2026 Session, New York) amends the Vehicle and Traffic Law to require lighting for bicycles with electric assist and electric scooters sold or shipped in New York. The goal is to enhance visibility and safety for these vehicles, particularly in hours of darkness, by mandating front and rear lighting requirements.

Main purpose and intent

  • Ensure that manufacturers shipping bicycles with electric assist (e-bikes) and electric scooters into New York state provide vehicles with specified lighting.
  • Improve rider visibility to prevent crashes during low-light conditions.
  • Standardize lighting requirements across these motorized/assistive two-wheel vehicles to promote consistent safety practices.

Key provisions and changes

  1. Bicycles with electric assist (Subdivision 14 to Section 1242):

    • Manufacturers shipping e-bikes into New York must affix a front lamp that emits a white light visible in darkness from at least 500 feet to the front.
    • A red or amber rear light must be visible for up to 300 feet.
    • At least one of the lights (front or rear) must be visible from 200 feet to each side (i.e., side visibility requirement).

  2. Electric scooters (Subdivision 4 to Section 1285):

    • Manufacturers shipping electric scooters into New York must ensure the scooters are equipped with lighting that complies with the new lighting requirements (front white light and rear red light as described).

  3. Effective date:

    • The act takes effect 90 days after becoming law.

Who/what is affected

  • Manufacturers engaged in shipping or selling bicycles with electric assist (e-bikes) in New York state.
  • Manufacturers of electric scooters that ship into New York state.
  • End users (riders) may be indirectly affected by the presence of mandated lighting on newly shipped products.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Introduction and committee: The bill was referred to the Senate Transportation Committee.
  • Action history indicates amendments and substitutions during the 2025-2026 session, with a substitution bill (A9209A) enacted on May 29, 2026, and earlier readings and committee actions in March and January 2026.
  • Effective date: 90 days after the law’s enactment.

Additional notes

  • The lighting standards specify a white front light visible from at least 500 feet, a red or amber rear light visible for 300 feet, and side visibility of at least 200 feet from each side.
  • The text focuses on “manufacturers” shipping into New York, not necessarily all retailers or local distributors, though those entities may be affected by compliance requirements embedded in production and labeling.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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