PITTSFORD, N.Y. — The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office is recommending updates to local e-bike and limited-use motorcycle safety codes, with several municipalities considering stricter enforcement measures.
A sergeant from the sheriff’s office met with the Pittsford Village Board to discuss potential changes to existing regulations. He praised the current law but identified areas for improvement, particularly focusing on riders under 16 years old.
“His big point was that it’s the under 16 population that is the biggest problem,” a board trustee said during the meeting. “The health risks and all the rest of it are targeting that under 16 age bracket.” Per NYS law, those under 16 are not authorized to ride e-bikes or scooters.
What’s being proposed?
The sheriff’s office is proposing several key changes. Currently, the village ordinance allows confiscation only ‘upon conviction.’ The proposed update would permit immediate confiscation when riders are caught violating the law, aligning with existing county ordinances for off-road vehicles.
The changes would also add limited-use motorcycles — defined as motorcycles that can travel up to 40 miles per hour — to the code. The village board is considering increasing confiscation fees from $100 to $500 for a first offense and $2,000 for a second offense, matching county standards. Violators would also be responsible for towing fees.
“If we adopt this ordinance, or if we adopt the change, then the sheriff on the ground will stop the rider, call the tow truck, have the bike towed, give the rider a summons and the information about how they get the bike back,” a board trustee explained.
What people are seeing
One trustee described witnessing a sheriff’s deputy pursuing two underage girls on e-bikes along State Street. “This sheriff chased them from in front of Latimore with his cruiser down State Street,” the trustee said. “Pulled over, got out of the car, and he was not happy.”
The sheriff’s office plans to launch an education campaign in schools this fall if the code updates are approved. Multiple municipalities in the area are considering similar regulations.
Reconnect Rochester’s thoughts
However, Cody Donahue, co-executive director of Reconnect Rochester, expressed concerns about the enforcement-first approach. “My first thought when dealing with children is not to go with enforcement,” Donahue said. “It’s to really talk, to have a conversation, try to reach the parents, try to understand why this is happening.”
Donahue pointed out that many devices being used are not legal e-bikes but illegal e-motorcycles sold through online retailers. The New York State Attorney General recently issued a consumer alert highlighting the difference between legal low-speed e-bikes and illegal devices.
“I think that the solution really is to cut off the devices of concern at the source,” Donahue said.
Donahue also noted that New York State schools are required to teach bike education but very few actually do. He encouraged municipalities to contact Reconnect Rochester before implementing additional regulations, warning that well-intentioned laws might discourage legitimate e-bike usage.
What happens next?
The village’s municipal attorney was directed to update the legislation and draft a proposal code update for future consideration. The changes will be returned to the board for review and potentially set a public hearing.
News10NBC’s Adelisa Badzic asked Mayor Alysa Plummer what the village would do with the money.
“Any money received from fines we would like to reinvest back into the community- for example for additional safety measures, educational programs regarding bike safety, etc.” Said Mayor Plummer.
SIMILAR: Ogden officials warn parents about illegal e-bike use by minors
City of Rochester’s rules
In the City of Rochester, there are also fines, although much cheaper ones. You can ride e-bikes on sidewalks outside of the Center City District but must ride single file if in a group.
More on Rochester’s law can be found here: Chapter 34: Bicycles, Electric Bicycles, Electric Scooters, In-Line Skates and Skateboards – City of Rochester, NY
Watch Board of Trustees Full Meeting: starts at 1:01:10
Pittsford village board votes to update e-bike law after MCSO recommends changes WHEC.com.
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