Information & Town News

Last Monday evening the Town Board held a public hearing involving the topic of E Bikes. E Bikes have become very popular, and many people enjoy using the bikes for fun or as an alternate form of transportation to get to a destination. The Town Board is currently in a lengthy study of E bikes involving the assessment of the various types of bikes and associated safety measures we may be able to incorporate into the potential travel routes as well as the actual definition of E bikes that needs to be incorporated into our Town Code and other important elements of the topic. 

Currently, New York State regulations are in effect given there are no Town regulations pertaining to E bikes. New York State regulations state E bikes are not allowed on any public lands or roadways with a stated speed limit over 30 mph. The Town Board must define E bikes within our Town Code and stipulate regulations to allow E Bikes to be used on public lands. The process we have embarked upon will lead to the proper definition and regulations to allow E bikes in specific public areas. To be clear, the proposed legislation being considered by the Town Board would expand the permissible use of e-bikes, not restrict it.

Many people who attended the public hearing were surprised by the discussion that ensued on this topic. Unfortunately, the dissemination of a false narrative that was propagated on social media led people to believe the Town was embarking on a far different process than the reality of the situation. This is unfortunate but all too common. It is true E bikes are currently banned in public areas, based on New York State regulations but the Town Board is working toward a commonsense resolution which considers the safety of pedestrians as well as E bike riders. We assume many people are not aware of the current state regulations that we have found during the early stage of our review process. A process like the one the Town Board has initiated is vital to resolve the contradictions in state and local laws. 

The Town Board regularly conducts studies on topics that arise as new technologies evolve and changes to New York State law allow for new industries to emerge. Other studies that are underway include the analysis of Battery Storage Systems and large-scale cannabis growing and cultivation businesses. The E Bike study will be conducted over the next several months and will continue to be a public, comprehensive process. However, the first task will be to define E bikes in the Town code and allow their use in specific public areas. Further analysis of associated issues will follow. 

Thank you to everyone who attended the public hearing. We will provide updates on the process as we move forward.