Yorktown eyes potential e-bike legislation

After months of resident concerns over e-bike use, the Yorktown Town Board is set to explore potential legislation at its Oct. 13 work session.

Supervisor Ed Lachterman announced the plans at the start of the Sept. 15 meeting, as questions about safety, enforcement and what the town can legally regulate continue to surface.

“There's been a lot of conversation on e-bikes,” he said.

E-bikes have been a hot topic throughout the summer, with residents questioning what is legal in town and calling for greater safety and enforcement. While public officials weigh what, if anything, the town can do, the issue also comes down to parents understanding the risks and responsibilities that come with giving children access to an e-bike.

Before the town can consider potential legislation, however, officials must determine what falls within its authority.

Councilman Sergio Esposito said the town can adopt regulations that “toughen” the state law, while Councilwoman Susan Siegel pointed to a state provision she said limits the town’s ability to modify the regulations until Westchester County acts.

“Our hands are tied by the state law regulating e-bikes,” Siegel said on Sept. 15. “The state law specifically says, what can be done, what can be regulated, and any town in Westchester cannot change the law unless Westchester County first changes the law.”

Siegel also said she sent the board a memo with suggestions addressing e-bikes along with regular bikes, which she said have been a recurring problem at the track and on sidewalks in Yorktown Heights. She also asked the town attorney to clarify the town’s authority ahead of the October work session.