New York State "Ebike" Law

How is this law being accepted by those making and using e-bikes? Is this in line with what should be out there or is this something that the e-bike community is not happy with?

 

I don't have much problem with it - 1000W motor upper limit is better than most. Under 20MPH is pretty much the national standard.

My only complaint about wording is in regard to operative pedals and saddle - those that suffer from hemmoroids and bad knees often use motored kick scooters (footbikes, sidewalkers) meeting the same electrical specs. Technically, those aren't defined by this bill but at least it's heading in the right direction.

 

Actually, it has been stuck in the NY Senate for over five years. It has been lacking a sponsor and I strongly suspect that downstate (NYC) interests are largely responsible for it being stuck in committee. These are some of our scooter-type ebikes that is recognized as and ebike and not a motor vehicle in nearly every state in the country, as well as all major Canadian provinces. We are also bringing out a full line of traditionally styled ebikes this year and a true hybrid gas/electric scooter. Check our Company News page for a look at the iBike hybrid.

 

New York State Senate vs eBike Bill

Every year ... this Bill is passed, nearly unanimously, by the Assembly.
In it's 6th year, it now is nearing consideration, by the Senate.
But, it has died in the Senate every time.
This year, on the first session day, it was "REFERRED TO TRANSPORTATION", where it sat from Jan 4 - May15.
The Transportation Committee passed the Bill unanimously and placed it on the Senate calender, for the next days session.
Where it has sat ... ignored ... for the past 4 weeks.

I have been following this Bill closely, this year, even to the extent of watching the live video stream of the Senate sessions.
Sadly, the sessions seem to consist of prolonged, self aggrandizing speeches, to an empty room(?), followed by a very brief and barely intelligible chant of Bill considerations.

With 2 weeks of session remaining, I foresee no hope for this Bill.
The Senators seem to have little interest in making a contribution towards a greener or cleaner State.

Sadly ... New York State imports between 15 - 20 Billion dollars worth of "Oil" annually.
That is sucking ~$20,000,000,000 away from the NY economy ... every year!
Money that is sucked out of the State, and mostly, out of the Country ... never to support our economy, jobs, families again

That means, an additional, $4000 sucked away from each and every family (of 4)... every year.

You would think that the Senators might be smart enough to take a step towards stemming this arterial bleed.
At the very least, in an election year, is it wise, to blatantly ignore a simple positive stride?

 

$6680 sucked away from each and every family

Oops!
My bad!

I generously based my figures on 4.6% of "imported" (non-USA) oil.
NYS has negligible oil production.
Actual NYS oil imports would be 67% more. (includes USA production)
So -
Sadly ... New York State imports between 25 - 33.4 Billion dollars worth of "Oil" annually.
That is sucking ~$33,400,000,000 away from the NY economy ... every year!
That means, an additional, $6680 sucked away from each and every family (of 4)... every year.

$30 Billion leaving the State ... every year ... getting worse, constantly ... with no end in sight!

 

New York State Barrels of "oil" used (annual) - 308,658,000 *
Crude oil (May 1, 2012) - $106/Barrel
New York State annual oil imports, at May 1, 2012 price = $32,717,748,000
Divided by 20,000,000 NYS population =
$1636 per person =
$6544 per family of 4 - sucked away from the New York State economy ... every year.

* "Oil" use - by State

PS It gets worse! Most of this "oil" is processed-refined "out of State", so cost is even higher!

 

New York State pays other countries and States $32 Billion, every year for "oil".
Trying to justify this - because a microscopic percentage of this money (taxi cabs) is used to facilitate tourist income is, at best, irrelevant and, at worst ... just ridiculous.

I'm not claiming that oil is not necessary, or beneficial.
I just want people to realize how costly it is ...
and help them make informed decisions about when alternatives might be advisable.

My point is that.
This is money that leaves the State, permanently, draining the States economy.

.
What? That has nothing to do with the New York State hemorrhage of money for oil. ... ???

 

Typical percentages ...
Industrial - includes the agricultural, manufacturing, construction, and mining industries.




What a barrel of crude oil makes.
Product Gallons per Barrel
Gasoline ........................................................................... 19.4
Distillate Fuel Oil ................................................................ 10.5
(Includes both home heating oil and diesel fuel)
Kerosene-Type Jet Fuel ........................................................ 4.1
Coke ................................................................................. 2.2
Residual Fuel Oil .................................................................. 1.7
(Heavy oils used as fuels in industry, marine
transportation, and for electric power generation)
Liquefied Refinery Gases ...................................................... 1.5
Still Gas ............................................................................. 1.8
Asphalt and Road Oil ............................................................ 1.4
Raw Material for Petrochemicals .............................................. 1.1
Lubricants .......................................................................... 0.4
Kerosene ............................................................................ 0.2
Other ................................................................................ 0.4

 

Gas Price Breakdown

Gas price breakdown



...................................... Branded ....................... I
........ ... ... ..... .... .... .... .... ..
Jun 11 $0.43 $2.36 $0.73 $0.02 $0.09 $0.36 $0.18 $4.16 :

$2.36 - Price of gasoline ("raw")
$1.16 - Refinery Costs & Profits + Distribution Costs & Profits
$0.65 - Taxes
$4.17 - Gas - at the pump (Based on California prices)

 

A seemingly comprehensive listing shows New York State with 0 Petroleum refineries.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_oil_refineries#United_States
This means that NYS pays other States to refine it's oil as well as for a percentage of the Distribution, Costs Marketing Costs & Profits.

$2.36 - Price of gasoline ("raw")
$0.73 - Refinery Costs & Profits
$0.22 - Distribution Costs, Marketing Costs & Profits (~ 50%? of $0.43 )
$3.31 - Gas per gallon - leaving the State

$3.31/$2.36 = 1.40 = an additional 40% in cost of imported "oil".

New York State Barrels of "oil" used (annual) - 308,658,000 *
Crude oil (May 1, 2012) - $106/Barrel + 40% = $148.40
New York State annual oil imports, at May 1, 2012 price = $32,717,748,000 + 40% = $45,804,847,200
Divided by 20,000,000 NYS population =
$1636 + 40% = $2290.40 per person =
$6544 + 40% = $9161.60 per family of 4 - sucked away from the New York State economy ... every year.

* "Oil" use - by State

 

You guys in the USA are lucky to have electric bike laws like that, here in Australia our laws are very limited, which is also stopping the market from going mainstream

 

NYS eBike Bill - 2013

Perhaps for the first time the eBike Bill is being considered in the New York State Assembly and Senate at the beginning of their "calendar".
(Referred to Transportation committee)

This gives rise to a bit of hope for an eBike legality law.
For about 6 years, this Bill has been passed, almost unanimously by the Assembly, but then allowed to die in the Senate ... every year!

Unfortunately the Assembly version allows a 1000w motor while the Senate version limits the motor to 750w.
This is the type of petty conflict that is liable to make sure that it will never become a law.

http://open.nysenate.gov/legislation/bill/A1618-2013

http://open.nysenate.gov/legislation/bill/S390-2013

Both of these links allow comments.

 

Too bad, Vi. If political types were 1/8th as good at getting things done as they are at attacking members of the opposing party, I bet we wouldn't even recognize this country.