Central Park visitors call for e-bike ban due to safety concerns

Pedestrians and safety advocates in New York City are calling for an outright ban on e-bikes in Central Park, citing increasing safety risks and reckless riding behavior. According to NYPD data, e-bikes and e-scooters were involved in 33 crashes within the park through October 18. Additionally, police issued 144 e-bike tickets through October 25, a significant increase from 39 during the same period the previous year.

Local residents and groups, such as the NYC E-Vehicle Safety Alliance, report that riders frequently ignore “no riding” signs and speed through pedestrian areas. Many visitors, including families and elderly residents, describe the park environment as increasingly tense and unpredictable. Some advocates, including victims of e-bike collisions, argue that voluntary compliance has failed and that stricter regulations are necessary to preserve the park as a safe public space.