Manhattan Community Board 4 is demanding sweeping changes to how the city regulates e-bikes — and placing the blame for dangerous conditions in bike lanes and on sidewalks squarely on delivery apps, not riders. The board wants app companies like Uber Eats and DoorDash held accountable for training, compliance and safety enforcement.
Their proposal calls for a more targeted, two-tier system that separates slow pedal-assist bikes from faster, throttle-powered mopeds. The goal is to keep lower-speed bikes in protected lanes while pushing high-speed models onto the road — and off sidewalks. The board also wants incentives for safer riding and realistic delivery windows built into app platforms.
The recommendations originate from a letter sent to the NYC Department of Transportation, which was written by MCB4’s Transportation Planning Committee and approved by the full board on Wednesday evening. “Too many people are getting hurt and/or are scared to walk while the apps and their venture capital supporters profit excessively,” the board wrote, urging lawmakers to act quickly.
Instead of requiring every cyclist to register or license their bike — an approach the board called costly, ineffective, and a deterrent to climate-friendly transportation — MCB4 proposes:
- Class 1 bikes (under 15mph, pedal-assist only): No registration or helmet required; allowed in bike lanes.
- Mopeds and faster e-bikes (over 15mph): Treated like motor vehicles — requiring registration, helmets, and road use only.
But the heart of the board’s proposal is a push for corporate accountability. MCB4 says delivery apps must be licensed by the city, track and share safety data, offer training, and even fund their own ID scheme for riders — especially since many couriers work for multiple platforms. Incentives for safe riding, like prioritized orders, would replace pressure to deliver quickly at all costs.
“This must not wait any longer,” the letter concludes. “The city should adopt the regulatory framework described here that will also deliver increased pedestrian safety.”
MCB4 praised the city’s upcoming Department of Sustainable Delivery, which was funded in the FY26 budget, and urged it to take a lead in shaping this fast-growing industry.
