Prohibits electric scooter service platforms operating a digital network from operating electric scooters in this state unless such platform displays a warning that persons under 18 years of age are not allowed to operate electric scooters through the platform; imposes a penalty for violations.
Summary
S10239 would add a new section to the General Business Law governing electric scooter service platforms that operate through a digital network, such as a mobile app or website. The bill defines covered platforms as entities in New York that own, lease, or control more than two electric scooters and provide public access to them through app-based unlocking, operation, docking, charging, and payment systems.
The core requirement is that these platforms may not operate electric scooters in New York unless they display a clear and conspicuous warning stating that no person under 18 years of age is permitted to operate or ride an electric scooter through the platform. The warning must appear either on the scooter itself or when a user accesses the platform’s website, online application, or mobile application. The bill takes effect 180 days after becoming law.
Impact
The bill would create a new consumer-protection disclosure requirement in state law for app-based electric scooter operators and would authorize municipal enforcement. Violations would carry civil penalties of up to $250 for a first offense and up to $500 for subsequent offenses, with enforcement by municipal consumer affairs officials, town attorneys, city corporation counsels, or other local designees. Collected penalties would be retained by the enforcing municipality or local government.
Sentiment
No committee transcript or vote record is available, so there is no direct evidence of legislative debate or recorded support/opposition. Based on the bill text and caption, the measure appears to be framed as a safety and consumer-information bill, with an emphasis on warning users about age restrictions for scooter operation. The available context suggests a straightforward regulatory proposal rather than a controversial policy change.
Contention
The main potential point of contention is the scope of regulation imposed on scooter-sharing platforms, especially app-based operators that would need to add warning disclosures and comply with local enforcement. Another possible issue is whether the bill’s warning requirement is the most effective way to address underage scooter use, since it does not itself create a new age restriction but instead mandates disclosure of an existing prohibition. No specific objections, amendments, or stakeholder positions are provided in the available record.
Prohibits electric scooter service platforms operating a digital network from operating electric scooters in this state unless such platform displays a warning that persons under 18 years of age are not allowed to operate electric scooters through the platform; imposes a penalty for violations.
Requiring any person who is 17 years of age and under to wear a helmet when operating an electric-assisted scooter or electric-assisted bicycle and modifying the definition and operation of electric-assisted scooters to include certain specifications and maximum operating speeds.
Requires entities which operate a system of shared electric bicycles or scooters to impose penalties for failure of an operator or borrower to return a shared electric scooter or bicycle to a proper location.
Requires every sale of a bicycle with electric assist or electric scooter to include a helmet suitable for use while operating such bicycle or scooter.
Requires every sale of a bicycle with electric assist or electric scooter to include a helmet suitable for use while operating such bicycle or scooter.
Prohibits third-party food delivery platforms from employing algorithms that promote unsafe operation of e-bikes and scooters to improve safety for third-party food deliveries.
Requires entities which operate a system of shared electric bicycles or scooters to impose penalties for failure of an operator or borrower to return a shared electric scooter or bicycle to a proper location.
Prohibits sellers of bicycles with electric assist, electric scooters, and motor-driven cycles from selling to persons less than sixteen years of age; requires valid proof of age at the point of purchase; establishes licensing requirements for bicycles with electric assist, electric scooters, and motor-driven cycles that can exceed twenty-eight miles per hour.