[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Village of Springville 1-20-2026 by L.L. No. 2-2026. Amendments noted where applicable.]
This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Village of Springville Electric Bicycle and Electric Scooter Regulation Law."
A. 
The Board of Trustees finds that:
(1) 
The use of bicycles with electric assist ("E-bikes") and electric scooters ("E-scooters") has increased significantly on Village streets, sidewalks, and public spaces.
(2) 
Improper, high-speed, or sidewalk operation of these devices can endanger pedestrians (including children, seniors, and persons with disabilities), as well as other bicyclists, motorists, and the device operators themselves.
(3) 
New York State law authorizes the operation of E-bikes and E-scooters on certain streets and highways, and expressly allows cities, towns, and villages to regulate the time, place and manner of their use.
B. 
The purpose of this chapter is to regulate the operation and location of E-bikes and E-scooters within the Village of Springville, in a manner consistent with the New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law, to protect public health, safety, and welfare.
This chapter is adopted pursuant to:
A. 
Article IX of the New York State Constitution;
B. 
Municipal Home Rule Law § 10; and
C. 
Vehicle and Traffic Law §§ 1680, 1682, Article 34-C (Bicycles with Electric Assist) and Article 34-D (Electric Scooters).
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
BICYCLE WITH ELECTRIC ASSIST (ELECTRIC BICYCLE or E-BIKE)
A bicycle with electric assist as defined in Vehicle and Traffic Law § 102-c, including Class 1, Class 2, and Class 3 devices, as those classes are defined by state law.
ELECTRIC SCOOTER (E-SCOOTER)
A device as defined in Vehicle and Traffic Law § 114-e, generally weighing less than 100 pounds, having handlebars, a floorboard or seat for the operator, powered by an electric motor and/or human power, and having a maximum motor-assisted speed of 20 miles per hour on a paved level surface.
MULTI-USE PATH
Any paved or unpaved path or trail under Village jurisdiction which is designated for shared pedestrian and bicycle use.
OPERATOR
Any person who rides, drives, or otherwise has physical control of an E-bike or E-scooter.
SIDEWALK
Any portion of a street between the curb lines, or the lateral lines of a roadway, and the adjacent property line, intended for the use of pedestrians, as defined in Vehicle and Traffic Law § 144.
STREET/HIGHWAY/ROADWAY
Public ways as defined in Vehicle and Traffic Law §§ 118 and 148, including the portion customarily used for vehicular travel.
A. 
Bicycles with electric assist.
(1) 
Class 1 and Class 2 E-bikes may be operated:
(a) 
On Village streets and highways with a posted speed limit of 30 miles per hour or less;
(b) 
In designated bicycle lanes; and
(c) 
On multi-use paths where bicycles are lawfully permitted, unless otherwise restricted by Village resolution or posted signs.
(2) 
Class 3 E-bikes may be operated:
(a) 
Only on Village streets and highways with a posted speed limit of 30 miles per hour or less; and
(b) 
In on-street bicycle lanes where permitted;
(c) 
Class 3 E-bikes are prohibited on sidewalks and multi-use paths.
(3) 
No E-bike shall be operated at a speed greater than:
(a) 
20 miles per hour for Class 1 or Class 2; or
(b) 
25 miles per hour for Class 3;
(c) 
Consistent with the definitions in state law.
B. 
Electric scooters.
(1) 
E-scooters may be operated:
(a) 
Only on streets and highways with a posted speed limit of 30 miles per hour or less;
(b) 
In bicycle lanes or similar facilities where bicycles are permitted;
(c) 
Consistent with Vehicle and Traffic Law § 1282(5).
(2) 
No person shall operate an E-scooter at a speed greater than 15 miles per hour, in accordance with Vehicle and Traffic Law § 1282(6).
(3) 
E-scooters shall not be operated on any limited-access highway, expressway, or any street or highway where bicycles are prohibited.
C. 
Sidewalks and pedestrian areas.
(1) 
General rule. No person shall operate an E-bike or E-scooter on any sidewalk within the Village of Springville, except when necessary to enter or leave a driveway or roadway, and then only at walking speed.
(2) 
Designation of limited exceptions. The Board of Trustees may, by resolution, designate specific public lands, trails, or limited sidewalk areas where E-bikes or E-scooters may be operated or parked, and may impose hours, routes, or conditions of use, consistent with Vehicle and Traffic Law §§ 1282(7) to (8).
A. 
Reckless or unsafe operation. No person shall operate an E-bike or E-scooter:
(1) 
In a reckless, careless, or negligent manner;
(2) 
At a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under existing conditions;
(3) 
In a manner that unreasonably endangers pedestrians, other cyclists, motorists, or property.
B. 
Sidewalk use. Except as expressly permitted in § 85-5C, E-bikes and E-scooters shall not be operated on sidewalks.
C. 
Passengers on electric scooters.
(1) 
No E-scooter shall be used to carry more than one person at a time.
(2) 
No operator of an E-scooter shall carry any passenger in a pack or container fastened to the operator or to the E-scooter, consistent with Vehicle and Traffic Law § 1282(1).
D. 
Carrying packages on electric scooters. No person operating an E-scooter shall carry any package, bundle, or article that prevents the operator from keeping at least one hand on the handlebars or that obstructs the operator's vision in any direction.
E. 
Age restrictions.
(1) 
No person under 16 years of age shall operate or ride as a passenger on an E-scooter.
(2) 
No person 16 years of age or older shall knowingly allow any person under 16 years of age to operate or ride as a passenger on an E-scooter.
F. 
Towing and attachment.
(1) 
No operator of an E-bike or E-scooter shall attach the device or themselves to any moving motor vehicle.
(2) 
No motor vehicle operator shall knowingly permit any person on an E-bike or E-scooter to attach to such vehicle.
G. 
Intoxication. No E-bike or E-scooter shall be operated by any person in an impaired condition due to alcohol, drugs, or any combination thereof.
H. 
Tampering with speed or power. No person shall modify an E-bike or E-scooter so that it can be propelled at a speed higher than the applicable maximum motor-assisted speed permitted by state law for that device class (including 15 mph for E-scooters under Vehicle and Traffic Law § 1282(6)).
A. 
Helmets.
(1) 
E-bike and E-scooter operators and passengers 16 and 17 years of age shall wear an approved bicycle or scooter helmet as required by state law.
(2) 
The Village strongly encourages helmet use by all E-bike and E-scooter riders, regardless of age.
B. 
Lights and reflectors.
(1) 
When operated between one-half hour after sunset and one-half hour before sunrise, every E-bike and E-scooter shall be equipped with:
(a) 
A white front light visible from at least 500 feet; and
(b) 
A red rear light or reflector visible from at least 300 feet.
(2) 
Devices should include, and operators are encouraged to use, additional reflectors or reflective clothing to increase visibility.
C. 
Right-of-way to pedestrians. Operators of E-bikes and E-scooters shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrians at all times, including at crosswalks, on multi-use paths, and in parking areas.
D. 
Single file. Where E-bikes or E-scooters are operated in groups, they shall be operated single file on streets or paths unless overtaking is safely and briefly required, consistent with similar municipal regulations.
A. 
E-bikes and E-scooters shall not be parked on sidewalks in a manner that:
(1) 
Blocks or substantially interferes with pedestrian travel;
(2) 
Obstructs curb ramps, doorways, fire hydrants, or transit stops; or
(3) 
Creates a safety hazard.
B. 
Where bicycle racks or designated parking areas are provided, E-bikes and E-scooters should be secured to those facilities.
C. 
The Board of Trustees may by resolution establish additional rules for E-bike and E-scooter parking, including designated corrals or shared-system docks.
A. 
No shared E-bike or shared E-scooter system (dockless or station-based) shall operate within the Village of Springville unless expressly authorized by local law or resolution of the Board of Trustees, consistent with Vehicle and Traffic Law § 1282(10).
B. 
Any such authorization may include requirements relating to:
(1) 
Permits or franchises;
(2) 
Insurance and indemnification;
(3) 
Data privacy and use limitations;
(4) 
Fleet size, rebalancing, and maintenance;
(5) 
Parking and deployment locations; and
(6) 
User education and safety measures.
A. 
This chapter shall be enforced by:
(1) 
The Village of Springville Police Department; and
(2) 
Any other duly authorized law enforcement officers or code enforcement personnel.
B. 
Officers are authorized to issue:
(1) 
Appearance tickets or summonses returnable in a court of competent jurisdiction; and
(2) 
Civil citations as otherwise authorized by Village Code.
A. 
Except where state law prescribes a different penalty (including civil fines under Vehicle and Traffic Law § 1282), any person who violates this chapter shall be guilty of a violation, punishable by:
(1) 
First offense: a fine of up to $100;
(2) 
Second offense within 12 months: a fine of up to $250;
(3) 
Third or subsequent offense within 12 months: a fine of up to $500.
B. 
Each separate violation, and each day a continuing violation persists, may be treated as a separate offense.
C. 
In the event a child 16 years or younger operates any Motorized and Electric scooter, motorized device, and/or Electric Bicycle in violation of this chapter and/or the Vehicle and Traffic Law of the State of New York, such device shall be impounded by any police department authorized to operate within the Village of Springville. The parent(s)/guardians of such child shall be notified by such police department to appear before the police department in order to have such device released to the parent/guardian upon the payment of the civil penalty amounts set forth below. It shall not be a defense that the child operates such device owned by a third party or parties.
D. 
In the case of violations by persons under 18 years of age, a summons may be issued to the parent or legal guardian, consistent with state law.
A. 
This chapter is intended to supplement, not conflict with, the provisions of the New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law. Where a conflict appears, state law shall control.
B. 
Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to authorize the operation of any device that does not meet the state law definition of a bicycle with electric assist or an electric scooter, nor the operation of any device where prohibited under state law.
If any clause, sentence, paragraph, subdivision, or part of this chapter, or the application thereof to any person or circumstance, shall be adjudged by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid or unconstitutional, such order or judgment shall not affect, impair or invalidate the remainder thereof.
All local laws, ordinances, resolutions, rules, or parts thereof in conflict with this chapter are hereby repealed to the extent of such conflict.