This week, we asked readers their thoughts on the pilot program launched by the City’s Parks’ department in June 2023, as reported, which allows Class 1, 2 and 3 e-bikes and lighter-weight e-scooters on city park drives and greenways. A map is available at nyc.gov/parks/ebikes, showing the greenways and drives that fall under the program, along with a multilingual survey to obtain feedback.

 

The program doesn’t allow e-bikes on pedestrian paths, and faster, heavier mopeds or motorcycles are not allowed anywhere in parks or on greenways. The latter vehicles are also precluded from riding on bike lanes, and such drivers must hold a driver’s license.

 

“Basically, I think it’s just but unjust at the same time because some people take advantage of the situation but at the same time, people should have the freedom to ride around and not be stopped. If you are a danger to society, then it’s understandable why they’re stopping you, but if you’re not causing any danger to society, I don’t see why they would stop you. If you’re on an illegal vehicle, then it’s understandable, but if you’re on an electric vehicle, and you’re not riding dangerously, it doesn’t make sense.”

Eric Caraballo,

Parkchester

“My feelings about it are that it has actually endangered all park users including pedestrians, children, seniors and cyclists. It not only puts the public’s safety at risk, it’s also taking away the enjoyment from people to use the parkway because people are always looking behind, forward, left and right because of these electric vehicles on parkways. Lastly, there’s no enforcement, and a lot of times you can’t differentiate between what’s actually a legal vehicle and what’s not a legal vehicle. Some of the e-scooters that are privately owned go above 20 miles per hour. They actually go 40 miles per hour in some cases.”

Roxanne Delgado,

Pelham Parkway

“Really? I didn’t know that. I think they all should be banned; they’re dangerous. I think they should rethink this because it’s bad enough; we’re overflowing with them. After the pandemic, we’ve been flooded with scooters; scooters are everywhere. Scooters, bikes… they are just laying dormant anywhere, everywhere, and they can catch fire with those goofy batteries.”

Jake Wilson,

Kingsbridge

“I think it’s okay if a park is big enough and there are wide enough paths or trails like in Van Cortlandt Park, but the problem is there has to be a limited speed limit. It could get dangerous if drugs or alcohol [are] involved and someone could get hurt in a crowded park. Maybe police riding mopeds…maybe it’s better to leave them on the street. Soon they will need license plates and insurance on certain roadways. They do make great getaway vehicles for criminals.”

Arty Than,

Yonkers, N.Y. (formerly of Riverdale)

“I think it’s a horrible idea. Motorized vehicles don’t belong in the parks, let alone on sidewalks. They pose a danger to children and the elderly and small animals. They belong on the streets.”

Charlie Vasquez,

Pelham Parkway

 

*Síle Moloney contributed to this article 

 

Editor’s Note: Click here and here and for some previous coverage on this topic.