Cicero Police warn of dangerous e-bike stunts on busy roads

A video showing teens on motorized bikes weaving through active traffic near the Route 31 and Interstate 81 corridor in Cicero, including wheelies and riders standing on the backs of moving bikes, has put a local spotlight on how quickly an e-bike can become a hazard on a busy Central New York road.

Cicero Police Sgt. James Snell, who also serves on the Onondaga County Traffic Safety Advisory Board, said the footage matched the kind of behavior officers are trying to stop before someone gets hurt. The concern is not just the stunt itself, but the setting: a crowded suburban corridor where cars, bicycles and small motorized vehicles are sharing pavement that was never meant for improvisation at traffic speed.

The Town of Cicero had already issued an e-bike safety reminder on April 22, saying officers had seen a “noticeable increase” in e-bike use once winter ended. The department said many riders were failing to follow traffic laws and were operating in an aggressive or unsafe manner. It also asked residents to report unsafe e-bike activity by calling the 911 non-emergency line at 315-425-2333.

Part of the confusion comes from the fact that e-bikes are legal in New York State and, for standard models, are generally treated like bicycles rather than motor vehicles. That means no driver’s license, registration or insurance is required for ordinary e-bikes. But the rules are still specific: New York law says no one under 16 may operate a bicycle with electric assist, and the state Department of Motor Vehicles says e-bikes may be ridden on highways posted at 30 mph or less, but not on sidewalks unless local law allows it.

The DMV also divides e-bikes into three classes. Class 1 models are pedal-assist only and cut off at 20 mph. Class 2 bikes are throttle-assisted and also stop at 20 mph. Class 3 bikes are limited to 25 mph and are restricted to cities with populations of one million or more, which makes them a New York City category rather than a Central New York one.

Onondaga County’s Traffic Safety Advisory Board says county law requires youth ages 1 to 18 to wear helmets while bicycling, inline skating, skateboarding and riding scooters. Its safety tips also stress single-file riding, obeying traffic signals and walking bikes across busy intersections. A bill in the New York State Senate, S1542, would require 16- and 17-year-olds on Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes to wear helmets, a sign that the safety debate is still catching up with the speed of the trend.