Directs the commissioner of motor vehicles to establish a mandatory bicycle with electric assist and electric scooter training course; directs the commissioner of motor vehicles to establish an optional bicycle training course.
STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
7943
2023-2024 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
August 4, 2023
___________
Introduced by M. of A. CUNNINGHAM -- read once and referred to the
Committee on Transportation
AN ACT to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to establishing
training courses for operators of bicycles with electric assist and
electric scooters and for operators of bicycles
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. The vehicle and traffic law is amended by adding a new
2 section 1244 to read as follows:
3 § 1244. Bicycle with electric assist and electric scooter training
4 course. 1. The commissioner shall establish a mandatory two-hour bicycle
5 with electric assist and electric scooter training course, available in
6 person and online.
7 2. Topics covered in such course shall include, but shall not be
8 limited to the following:
9 (a) traffic laws governing bicycles with electric assist and electric
10 scooters; and
11 (b) the safe operation of bicycles with electric assist and electric
12 scooters.
13 3. The commissioner may permit such training course to be given by any
14 private person, club, association or municipality which meets standards
15 established by the commissioner.
16 4. No individual shall be permitted to purchase any bicycle with elec-
17 tric assist or electric scooter without registering for such training
18 course. Every seller of bicycles with electric assist or electric scoot-
19 ers shall require any purchaser to register for such training course at
20 the time of purchase prior to taking possession of such bicycle with
21 electric assist or electric scooter.
22 5. An owner of a bicycle with electric assist or an electric scooter,
23 possessed prior to the effective date of this act, shall complete such
24 training course within one year of the effective date of this section
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD11945-01-3
A. 7943 2
1 and shall have proof of completion of such training course on their
2 person when operating such bicycle with electric assist or electric
3 scooter.
4 § 2. The vehicle and traffic law is amended by adding a new section
5 1245 to read as follows:
6 § 1245. Bicycle training course. 1. The commissioner shall establish
7 an optional bicycle training course to be recommended for all bicycle
8 users.
9 2. Topics covered in such course shall include, but shall not be
10 limited to, the following:
11 (a) the laws governing the operation of bicycles;
12 (b) appropriate traffic behavior and the laws governing such traffic
13 behavior;
14 (c) identification and avoidance of hazards;
15 (d) pedestrian and motor vehicle safety;
16 (e) bicycle safety inspection and maintenance; and
17 (f) injury prevention.
18 § 3. This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after
19 it shall have become a law.
