By Gus Saltonstall
The pilot program allowing electric bikes and electric scooters on drives and greenways in New York City parks, including Central and Riverside Parks, has been extended through May 31, 2025, a Parks Department spokesperson confirmed to West Side Rag this week.
The program, dubbed the “NYC Parks Electric Micromobility Pilot,” was led by Mayor Eric Adams and launched on June 20, 2023, with an original end date of May 31 this year.
The Parks Department has quietly extended the pilot for another year, though, as confirmed exclusively to the Rag. The city agency did not issue a press release or post on social media about the extension of the NYC Parks Electric Micromobility Pilot.
“After a successful first year collecting information from the public and NYC Parks staff, we are committed to extending the electric micromobility pilot period through May 2025, in coordination with our partners on the City Hall Electric Micromobility task force,” a Parks Department spokesperson told us. “By extending the pilot period, we can continue to gain insights and test new methods for how electric micromobility can be safely managed for the benefit of all parks users, and how to prevent heavier vehicles like mopeds from being operated in parks.”
The Parks Department is assessing information from the first year of the pilot to “develop new safety initiatives.”
The Parks Department spokesperson did not respond to multiple requests from the Rag to share the collected information they are assessing, or the survey results that a city agency typically gathers during a pilot program.
The pilot program was launched to specifically look at electric bike and electric scooter use within city parks’ greenways and drives. A park greenway is a designated path that is used for walking, jogging, rolling, stroller pushing, cycling, skating, and more.
A park drive, on the other hand, is a road inside a park that is used by authorized vehicles, as well as walkers, joggers, cyclists, and others.
The pilot program will continue to only include park drives and greenway paths that had already allowed non-electric bicycles prior to the pilot.
The West Drive in Central Park and the Hudson River Greenway in Riverside Park are among the best-known examples of these types of pathways on the Upper West Side.
A collection of readers also notified West Side Rag about the disappearance of traffic-related signs in Central Park, specifically those that have to do with dismounting “wheeled vehicles” at certain points.
A spokesperson from the Central Park Conservancy confirmed that some signs have been removed, but it did not have anything to do with the extension of the electric-vehicle pilot program. Instead, the Conservancy said it was related to routine maintenance of damaged signs, and that they would be replaced at some point later in the summer.
West Side Rag will update this article if the Parks Department gets back to us with the information collected during the first year of the pilot program.
Thanks to Renee Baruch for the tip.
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In Central Park on Saturday – a lovely sunny day so the park was packed.
Trying to cross the park roadway was a major issue.
Bicycles are supposed to stop at the red light to allow people to cross – but zero bicycles (pedal and e) stopped.
Bicyclists just kept going….
And there were multiple bicyclists on various footpaths although they are npt allowed – bicyclists are supposed to dismount on footpaths.
The shady, upper path in Riverside Park has been taken over at meal time by delivery bikes who enjoy the absence of vehicles and shady path. But the hazard to pedestrians is real. They don’t rink bells or speak, they just silently whiz past and someone is going to get hurt.
What is the difference between “greenways” and “footpaths?”
The Greenway is a 30+ mile walkway/bike path along the Hudson River and around the Island of Manhattan. The footpaths are basically sidewalks throughout Riverside and Central Parks, and are, like the name suggests, for walking, not riding.
Funny. If they asked 1,000 New Yorkers whether this pilot should be extended, I’m guessing over 950 would say no.
Unfortunately, the MO of this administration is that the City departments just do what they want. I spend a lot of time in CPW, and no reasonable person who observes the oftentimes dangerous behavior of people weaving their ebikes, mopeds and motorcycles around pedestrians and runners would conclude there are no concerns here. These vehicles are heavy and they are moving fast, and unfortunately I think it is going to take someone being seriously injured or killed before the City comes to its senses,
It’s already happened, and nothing.
The City – particularly DOT – does electronic surveys.
Almost no one knows about the surveys. (the lobby groups know however)
Plus people who don’t have electronic devices or are not comfortable with them are out of luck.
Why they just don’t ask. They don’t want the answer. I did fill out one of those DOT surveys and expressed my dissatisfaction as well as concerns over safety. Again, guess it wasn’t data they wanted. Shameful.
It’s a fantastic project for everybody on a bike or on a roller-scooter…..but I as a walker – in Central Park, Riverside Park or along the river have to be uttermost attentive NOT to be hurt by a vehicle. Even when crossing the road, ‘rollers’ shoot like crazy through their red light and kind of ‘hunt ‘ me. The cautious, polite ‘rollers’ loose against the aggressive, dangerous ones. Why do I have to anticipate actions in order to stay safe??
I don’t think it is a fantastic project for everybody on a bike. I have been commuting by bicycle in the city for almost 17 years and I’m also a big walker. I definitely feel unsafe as a pedestrian these days but I also feel extremely unsafe as a bicyclist. The etiquette that I used to expect from other bicyclists no longer exists. It’s a free for all. No way to predict which way anyone is going. I feel on high alert constantly and worried I’m going to get side swiped. As far as the parks, aside from the general problems of people going the wrong way or pedestrians not being able to cross the street, there are sections of the park where I just can’t understand why the parks department wouldn’t do due diligence to address safety before allowing e-bikes…such as the 72nd St transverse on the east side where people are going all different directions at different paces at the same time. I just can’t believe anyone who is in charge could allow that to go on.
Yup. E-bikes have turned the city into the Wild, Wild West.
Bike riders need to be reminded of the rules and held accountable (ticket/warning) when they break them. So many bikes on the foot paths, going fast and weaving around families with kids & dogs. Also think a speed limit on the electric bike needs to enforced. It’s very difficult to cross the street inside the park – especially on the weekends.
SPEED LIMITS ! YES !
“The Parks Department is assessing information from the first year of the pilot to “develop new safety initiatives.”’
I wonder what information this is since nobody is keeping count of any accidents. A couple of weeks ago an elderly woman was hit by an eBike on Columbus during Open Streets Sunday. She was injured, 911 was called, an ambulznce came but not the police. So there is no official record of this collision that caused an injury. Let’s remember this when told the official stats on bike safery.
This is great – every morning I see lots of people taking their kids to school on e-bikes through Central Park
Great way to get killed, you mean. Deaths are occurring all across America. No one has any training. No one cares about rules of the road. No insurance. No licenses. Major fires from exploding batteries. Not okay for the rest of the City. What happens when it rains and snows? Does the kid sit in school all day soaking wet? Ban all of them and let’s go back to public transportation, pedal bikes for exercise, or walking for exercise. There is NO excuse for this lazy, dangerous stuff anywhere. They have destroyed the City.
People can use the crosstown bus
What!! Healthy people can walk. We pay taxes. Our footpirints are tiny.
Quietly or surreptitiously extended?
If they can allow electric bikes and scooters on Central Park roadways, why not an accommodation for those who cannot walk to the Loeb Boathouse and would like to enjoy it?
Just another program where politicians decide for us, what is best. NYC is going down the tubes. One mayor after another making very poor decisions. Think twice before casting your next District 6 City Counsel and Mayoral votes.
I’m curious whether e-bikes and e-scooter are permitted on the Hudson River Greenway (bike path), since giant signs suggest they are NOT allowed (though this never is enforced, and there are more and more such vehicles by the day.
Why would this be extended? It’s destroying the peace for walkers and regular bike riders and is a hazard all around. Ebike riders have no speed limit and there are no controls on them. Why oh why would they continue them in the city parks? I have no clue, Mayor Adams.
I can understand people wanting to ride electric bikes or scooters up the park hills. I cannot understand why they should be allowed to exceed 20 MPH!
Why? They can walk their bikes or scooters, and get some strength and be healthy. Or, they can go AROUND the part on the ROADS. Since they go fast, and ignore lights, it will only take a few seconds. Nor reason I can think of to go through the park .
SPEED LIMIT !
This is the worst news of the year!! The parks will continue to be even more dangerous now. What is the mayor and Parks Dept looking at? Don’t they see what I do? These vehicles are creating more lawless and dangerous behavior. How many more kids playing, people walking, sitting, strolling, walking their dogs will be hit before something changes? What does the mayor see? Does he walk the park daily? Because I do and am terrified of being hit… AGAIN!
The Mayor sees contributions and bling. He does not care about you or me or anyone else who has been injured or threatened by e-bikes.
“The envelope, please”.
Central Park Conservancy-why not leave the damaged signs in place until you have the new ones? At least there would be some protection. Does anyone from The Conservancy or the Parks Dept. ever actually walk in the park? It has gone from being a haven for the city dweller to an obstacle course on the pathways, running path, and the roads. It seems no one is looking out for the New Yorkers who rely on the Park for peace, quiet and a respite from the roiling city streets–wasn’t that the whole point of building the Park? Pedestrians must make their voices heard. We are being maimed, killed and traumatized on our streets and now in our parks by people who have no regard for the laws-or do not know them.
Why not have the NYPD start hanging out at the park and give tickets to the folks that run the red lights that we have to be on the defensive for? That would be a great public sevice to protect the walkers in the park!
Joke. Prioritizing business over personal.
Like most unpopular decisions, lawsuits will be how the administration listens to residents. It doesn’t matter what residents think or the feedback loops. Shameful.
Genuine question
By what metric was this successful? A lot of people using e bikes? Be cause I have ween way too many close calls with mobile adults,etc alone those using walkers or canes
Or little kids
They are not sleeping down. They ride like they are on Broadway – stopping for nothing. It was a little scary with bikes. Nearly getting hit a few times. But bikes do not go that fast. This is insane.
I see these electric scooters and bikes speed through all intersections every single day. They are the worst of the worst offenders. So, of course we extend. Anything g else would only make sense. This City has become a running joke.
Let’s all face what is happening in the city and let’s do it now. If you have money to pay professional lobbyists to put your case to the Mayor and the council you are ok but if you are just a pedestrian who pays their taxes and does the right thing you can just go pound salt. Your voice and your needs just don’t cut it. Each and every member of council who doesn’t speak up and oppose this abomination of our parks and sidewalks should be voted out at the next possible time. It goes without saying the Mayor should be going too.
Be aware the mayor is on the war party against democracy and his changes to the Charter are likely to make it even harder for residents to have any say so. The only people who get a look in are the big banks, REBNY and other well resourced special interest and their lobbyists. It’s time to rise up and speak up.
the mayor was brought in by the oligarchs. He doesn’t even live in NY.
This is insane. On Sunday, I was by Cherry Hill and the grey citibikes (ebikes) were on pedestrian paths. Not only are bikes not stopping at lights, they’re now also ALL over ped paths, and a ton of tourists barely know how to brake those super heavy “bikes”
I think this is an awful idea. Many of the people using these vehicles (which are not licensed) have no idea of speed limits, stoplights, or even that (in Central Park at least) pedestrian paths are generally off limit to all wheeled vehicles. And the signage to that effect is becoming sparser and sparser and there is absolutely no one (in authority) that seems to have any interest in enforcing these rules. For pedestians crossing park drives can be a really difficult experience and those seeking just slower more quiet pursuits and being pushed out. Just take a look at the other posted comments.
This is truly stunning. Walking, roller skating, traditional bikes, and even “Class One” Citi bikes have a place in our parks. But my safety concern is with the commercial “Class Three” (25mph) electric bikes. Aren’t the city’s parks for recreation and not commercial traffic? What exactly is the point of having city parks if it’s used by speeding delivery vehicles blowing past residents so their restaurant managers don’t give them a hard time for not getting someone’s Kung Pao Shrimp a minute or two faster? Bad enough these commercial bike riders blow through red lights and ride on side walks. Now we have them endanger more New Yorkers in the parks and on bike paths? Has anyone from the Parks Dept. bothered to leave their office and see what’s going on in Central Park and on the Hudson River bike path? Do NYC residents have any recourse here?
What are they doing? Assessing the number of injured and killed people hit by electric vehicles?
This is great news.
All electric vehicles should be confined to streets, not parks! It’s bad enough they make our city streets look like a third world country, let’s at least keep our parks safe and beautiful!
Well this is really absurd!!
I would put this as UWS NUMBER ONE problem re quality of life!!!🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮
I thouught the point of bicycles was to get some exercise. Who gets exercise on an electric bicycle or scooter?
The point of e-bikes is making money for the companies that use delivery people. Adams and the commissioners he’s appointed care about the money, not about anyone else’s getting or not getting exercise.
This is horrendous!
And a lie. An Egregious Deliberate LIE!
How dare the Parks Dept CLAIM that rhe Mayors pilot program has been a success.
There has been no impaxt study or a survey. Stop lying.
How about sending these comments to the mayor who never sent out a survey to the common people to see if they wanted ebkes in the city at all. If they are allowed they should follow the ame rules as the automobiles. ONeway streets red lights etc.
I’m just completely stunned.
This is ludicrous. Send a text to Eric Adams. He needs to know how stupid and dangerous this is.
I wonder if UberEats and GrubHub etc made campaign contributions to the mayor. At least along the Hudson, the majority of too fast e-bikes are delivery people with commercial packs on their backs.
Probably also Trans Alt.
Does the mafia control e-bikes? Why does no-one want to regulate them? They are terrifying everyone, setting buildings on fire that kill residents, and big chain stores continue to sell uncertified batteries, breaking the law openly.
The business owners represented by TransAlt control e-bikes and profit from the zero regulation and zero enforcement.
Money talks.
“…new methods for how electric micromobility can be safely managed for the benefit of all parks users…”
The should’ve asked me; I could have saved them all the trouble and expense. Here’s the answer: powered vehicles of any kind have no place on any road or path in any NYC park*. End of story.
*There should be an exception for folks with limited mobility who can’t use a human-powered bicycle.
The pilot program is a complete failure. It is a disaster. Robberies are up 375% YTD since program started. It is a FACT that many crimes in parks and citywide use e bikes, mopeds ( illegal but all over parks now too) as a getaway vehicle. I am in C Park 3x a day with my dog. NO e bikes stop at lights. Ive almost been hit on pedestrian pathways FOUR times in past year. I know multiple people seriously injured by e vehicles in park that NYPD never reported because “ rider fled”. Rider flees majority of time. This pilot program is ageist, ableist and a detriment to our parks and parkways. FAILURE. End it now.
A complete disgrace. There is no safe place to walk in this City anymore, and I broke my ankle this winter and hobble painfully with a cane, after a lifetime of being a major fan of walking everywhere. I broke my ankle when I went to tell a moped driver that he illegally zoomed up the center of the sidewalk on Broadway. He was oblivious that I slipped on ice under scaffolding and broke my ankle on both sides. What a mess. Months and months of pain and titanium on both sides of my leg. forever, and meanwhile, these vehicles are terrorizing the entire City. Nine million people suffer for the bike lobby and restaurant lobby. I’m ready for a deserted island!
My fellow New Yorkers, please join EVSA, the E-Vehicle Safety Alliance. It’s a grassroots organization that lobbies our local and state officials to enact legislation (including licensing) for all e-vehicles. It is growing in numbers and increasing in clout. The more of us band together in an organized way, the better our chances of pressuring the politicians to hear our complaints. EVSA has already instructed its members as to who and how to reach about this latest assault on safety and common sense and what to say in a voicemail or email. You’ll find it on NYCEVSA.org.
I am one of the original members of EVSA (the 4th to be exact). I encourage everyone on this thread to reach out and get involved. We have spearheaded several pieces of legislation on the City and State level. Our e-bike registration bill Intro 0606 has 31 sponsors in the City Council, a solid majority- but we need a hearing and a vote. That’s where you come in. We are organizing, and the more pressure we can put on lawmakers, the more success we will have. We need people to make calls and as importantly- show up! contact us at nycevsa.org.
Thank you for being there at the beginning and hanging in until now and hopefully, beyond.
“dismounting “wheeled vehicles” at certain points.”
Delayed replacement until late summer??????????????
If dangerous, or inconvenient for others, why delay replacement? doesn’t make sense.
If you would like to get involved/learn more/help pass legislation re the bike situation, here is a grassroots volunteer organization which is doing great work –
nyc-evsa@outlook.com.
One of the local politicians recommended it to me. You can write emails, be on zoom calls, attend any rally, etc., whatever fits your schedule. Thank you!
Are there any prospective mayoral candidates who OPPOSE TransAlt, the lobbying group that represents delivery and other businesses owned by Mark Gorton and other extremely rich people.
I would like to know of mayoral candidates who are not seeking to serve TransAlt.
Has anyone ever seen a cyclist obey a traffic light or dismount on a walkway?
Has this ever been enforced?
And what of the Bridal Path where cyclists and motorcyclists, ride with abandon to the dismay of pedestrians?
Also – the City keeps messaging “bicycling” as a “must-do” activity for tourists.
Tourists who have no idea where they are going or what they are doing.
Speechless that the City spends time and money encouraging tourists to bicycle – not walk and not use core bus and subway.
This is a travesty. I would also like to know by what means Parka determined the success of this program. E-bikes and scooters in our Parks – and on our sidewalks – are a terrible idea. The parks should, at least, offer some peace from the “Wild West” that the streets have become. I am a walker and also a cyclist but I rarely cycle in the city or Park any more – I actually prefer riding up Riverside Dr to riding in the Park or on the bike path along the river. Motorized vehicles that can go as fast as cars are allowed to drive in the city need to be regulated and held accountable for following traffic rules – so we can all share our streets and parks safely. And remember- 4 wheeled motorized vehicles are no longer permitted in Central Park!
The city, the Mayor, the DOT, and many on the city council are full on autocracy. They really don’t care what the people who live in NY need or think. Despite how much they pay in taxes. They are working only for private corporations even when that means endangering the lives of many of their citizens. They know about the injuries and deaths. They know what those in our communities feel and think. We must face the fact that they simply don’t care! They should never be re-elected. They should never have been elected in the first place. The Mayor leaves us no other remedy but a legal one. And it’s way past time to take back our streets and sidewalks from those exploiting them. We can always get along with recreational cyclists. But Citibike and delivery apps who refuse to follow any laws need to be held accountable. They need to be licensed, registered and insured. Those they work for need to be held liable. Since the city refuses to take responsibility for the mayhem they’ve created we only have the courts!
The Citibike program was a harbinger of the bike current problem , exacerbated by the ebike delivery explosion during and after the pandemic. As I’ve said before, it’s too late to put the genie back in the bottle. The opinion of the majority of NYC citizens means squat.
“Quietly extended” translates as “snuck in”.
We’ve all been suckered.
Outrageous! Did they ask anyone who lives here before they “quietly extended” the pilot program?
I seems to me they really want to chase all the people walking in the Parks away. There have been numberous electric vehicles on the promenade in Riverside Park which has caused many of our seniors and people with their children and dogs to be afraid to walk there now. I really dont understand what the mayor thinks he is accomplishing.
The mayor is accomplishing exactly what his actions reveal: serving the companies that can increase their revenue by getting concessions from the city. Adams supposes in return that with those people on his side and low voter turnout, he can do most of what he wants with no negative consequences.
Excellent work ferreting out the story, Gus. It’ll be fun to see how many mainstream outlets piggyback on this news because I can’t think of a New Yorker who won’t be interested.
Wow.
The primary purpose of a park is green space – trees, grass, nature, quiet – right?
And depending on the park, exercise like walking and recreation such as playgrounds, soccer fields etc.
Ebikes are not exercise. Ebikes should be banned (would love no pedal bikes either)
New Yorkers need and deserve actual green space.
The City’s obeisance to Citibike and Transportation Alternatives/Open Plans is beyond belief.
Why do people have to ride any type of bike only for exercise? Does everyone wearing yoga pants have to do yoga?
Where are all the commenters who said to “Just use the park” when they were going to build a two way bike path on CPW? Where would you like people to go to travel in the city if making room on the streets is not allowed and riding in the parks is not allowed?
For all the supposed danger bikes bring to your lives I would hope you appreciate that they are slower and 100x lighter than the cars that are the actual life-takers in this city.
Just how much $ are Mayor Adams, the City Council and the Parks Commissioner getting from Mark Gorton, TransAlt, Open Streets? The surreptitious extension of this “pilot program” belies the bribes.