Suffolk set to require helmets when riding e-powered bikes and scooters, forbid them for anyone under 16

Ryan Clancy grew up with an adventurous spirit, riding dirt bikes and learning aviation at Farmingdale State College, his mother recalled.

In 2023, Clancy purchased an electric scooter around the Fourth of July and brought it to show his mother, Carolyn Pascale, of Selden.

At the time, she knew little about electric bicycles and scooters and didn’t push back on her 29-year-old son’s decision. But less than a month later, as Clancy rode the Kaabo Wolf Warrior X model scooter on Route 25A in Smithtown, he lost control, struck the curb and fell, hitting his head, according to his mother and a Suffolk County police news release at the time. He was not wearing a helmet and died.

Since the accident, Clancy’s grieving mother has advocated for stricter laws regulating electric bikes and scooters. On Tuesday, she applauded the Suffolk County Legislature for passing a pair of bills meant to do just that.

"I had no idea the danger of it, right until it happened to me," Pascale told Newsday Tuesday at the legislature, where she's spoken to lawmakers several times about the dangers of e-bikes. 

The measures require anyone, regardless of age, to wear a helmet. They also ban the use of e-bikes and scooters by anyone under 16 years old, ban their use on sidewalks or any county road with a speed limit greater than 30 mph, and raise fines and give more power to police to seize e-bikes and scooters found in violation. Parents of those under 16 can also be held liable for fines under the legislation, which now goes to Suffolk County Executive Edward P. Romaine, who has expressed support, to sign.

"This is something that’s going to significantly make a difference in people’s lives," outgoing Presiding Officer Kevin McCaffrey (R-Lindenhurst) said.

Lawmakers approved both bills 16-0 with two members absent.

McCaffrey cited statistics Newsday has reported of at least 12 fatalities in the last three years involving people riding e-bikes and scooters.

"So this problem is getting worse," he said. "It’s not getting better."

Legis. Nick Caracappa (C-Selden) said there’s a "tremendous problem" with e-bikes and scooters in his district, citing reckless behavior of some operators. The bills add language that prohibits riding in a "reckless fashion." 

"We are giving our law enforcement officers more leverage to remove these offenders from our roadways, which is desperately needed," he said.

The legislation sets a $500 fine for a first violation, which climbs to $1,500 for a second violation and up to $5,000 for a third violation within five years. Parents or legal guardians of anyone under 18 would be responsible for fines and restitution for property damage, the bill says.

 Legis. Steven Flotteron (R-Brightwaters), the deputy presiding officer, said lawmakers are planning an amendment to the legislation in 2026 to accommodate concerns raised by community leaders on Fire Island.

At the Nov. 25 public hearing, George Hoffman spoke on behalf of the Fire Island Association, which represents 17 homeowner communities. He said Fire Island doesn’t have traditional roads and said some of the provisions could be "problematic."

He said e-bikes are a popular way for some of the 300 year-round residents to navigate during the offseason.

Hugh O’Brien, mayor of the Village of Saltaire on Fire Island, said during the public hearing that safety is his biggest concern but thought the legislation should represent "the unique characteristics of Fire Island."

He requested an amendment "to institute, if anything, greater controls over e-bike traffic because of the nature of our walkways. There is no room for anyone to get out of the way of an e-bike. They can’t go onto a sidewalk." 

By Joe Werkmeister

joe.werkmeister@newsday.com

Joe Werkmeister joined Newsday in 2022 and covers Suffolk County government and politics. He is a graduate of St. Bonaventure University and previously worked as the editor of two North Fork community newspapers.

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