> Work within the law? The law in New York State and City on e-bikes is a patchwork full of conflicting dead ends. I agree it's confusing. But out of that confusion and morass of laws comes the realization that pedal-assist bikes ARE legal in NYC. The DeBlasio and Trottenberg have also (grudgingly) admitted so as well, and suggested they will direct NYPD to not ticket them. And e-bike shops selling pedal-assist e-bikes don't get fined either (or successfully fight the fines). This is by far the best write-up I've seen on the issue, by a lawyer: http://www.citylandnyc.org/scooters-hoverboards-bicycles-whats-legal/ The basic point is: for much of the Vehicle & Traffic Code, NYC makes its own laws. For example, turn on red is allowed in NYS but not in NYC. And NYC has outlawed "motorized scooters" --- a category that covers e-bikes with throttles but not pedal-assist bicycles, since they require SOME human power to move. There is work ...