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Assembly passes requirement that businesses equip e-bikes and e-scooters with lights at point of sale
Summary
Lawmakers approved a bill requiring businesses that sell or lease electric-assist bikes and scooters to equip devices with front and rear lighting before sale or lease; sponsor cited safety concerns and recent injuries, while colleagues sought clarity on private resale and retrofit options.
The Assembly approved legislation that requires businesses selling or leasing electric-assist bicycles and electric scooters to equip those devices with front and rear lighting prior to sale or lease.
Sponsor Mr. Conrad, who said the measure grew out of town-hall concerns in his district, described rising injuries and cited examples, including a reported increase at Stony Brook Hospital and a recent out-of-state case in which a minor involved in a fatal incident was arrested. Conrad told members the requirement arises from community concerns about higher-wattage devices and safety risks. "Most of those have to do with wattage and other issues about what we would really consider e-motorcycles," Conrad said, noting serious injuries and fatalities in other jurisdictions.
Representative Gandolfo asked whether the bill would apply to private resales (for example, a person listing an e-bike on a private marketplace). Conrad and committee discussion clarified the bill applies to businesses; a private owner selling a used device person-to-person would not be covered, and an owner could retrofit lights themselves. "If you're engaged in a private business sale transaction person to person, this isn't applicable. This is only applicable if you're in the business of that resale," Conrad said.
The clerk read the final section and the clerk recorded the vote. The Assembly announced: Ayes 135, Nays 0. The bill passed.
Why it matters: Sponsors framed the bill as a public-safety measure aimed at preventing nighttime crashes and making devices safer at point of sale. Questions focused on clarity about private resale vs. business sales and on whether retrofitting by owners would be permitted; sponsor said retrofitting is allowable and the requirement targets businesses and commercial sales.
Next steps: With the floor vote recorded in favor, the bill will proceed per the legislative process and include the effective date stated in the bill text.
