Eagle Scouts and E-Bikes, Oh My!

The Haverstraw Town Hall Meeting on Tuesday night promoted Benjamin Ferrer to the rank of  Eagle Scout, and featured the first public hearing regarding new E-Bike and E-Scooter regulations. 

Ferrer is a North Rockland High School senior whose Eagle Scout project focused on working alongside  Rockland County Marines to restore their mass unit. “The mass unit was completely destroyed, tiles, ramp, everything in there. We picked everything out, and organized everything with the Marines,” Ferrer said. This unit stores necessary medical equipment, and the work included an installation of a new floor ramp and door trims, and a detailed inventory of equipment. 

Supervisor Phillips said, “The improvements of this facility help serve veterans with the dignity and respect that they deserve… Making sure valuable resources will be readily available when needed by veterans seeking assistance,” Phillips said. The Town of Haverstraw recognized Ferrer’s commitment to integrity, pride, and honor by awarding him the plaque, which detailed his Marine Corps mission and recognized him officially as an Eagle Scout. Great for the resume, Ben!

After a short recess for photo ops with the newly-minted Eagle Scout, the meeting swiftly turned to a public hearing focused on the regulation of electric bikes and electric scooters. Local Law No. 2 of 2026 states, “The Town Board Town of Haverstraw hereby finds and determines that the operation of electric scooters and electric-assist bicycles present potential safety concerns to pedestrians, motorists, and the general public. The purpose of this Local Law is to promote public safety by establishing reasonable regulations governing the operation, use, and sale of such devices within the Town of Haverstraw.”

The document also defines class one and two of e-bikes: class one has pedal assist with a 20 mph max speed, and class two, which also reaches 20 mph, is not pedal assisted. The main difference between the two is that class one can only be propelled while pedaling and class two can be motorized with pedal assist.

What the definitions fail to include, however, are class three bikes, which provides motor-assisted pedaling up to 28 mph. The definitions also fail to include the many electric bikes that can reach far higher speeds, sometimes up to 50 mph. 

Lieutenant Jim Hansen said, “The state of New York electric bike and electric scooter laws are very ambiguous, so we’re trying to get ahead of it by proposing local laws to be enforced.”

The hearing indicated that within Haverstraw jurisdiction, the electric vehicles would be prohibited from any off-highway owned property and sidewalks, and require helmet usage. E-bikes and scooters would only be permitted to go up to 30 mph and riders must be at least 15 years old. Riders would also be charged for reckless driving, including weaving, performing stunt or trick riding in areas with active vehicular or pedestrian traffic, and DWI enforcements. 

William Stein, Town Attorney, said, “‘These things are growing unbelievably with very little regulation. Hopefully these laws will make it safer, both for the people using them and the drivers on the road.” 

When asked about the enforcement,  Stein said that for the probation period, police would issue warnings, followed by fines up to $500. A second violation within five years would be charged as a misdemeanor, and that the parent or legal guardian of a minor found in violation could be fined. He also mentioned seizure of the vehicles and impoundments for anyone operating an electric scooter or bicycle under the age of 16. 

“The fact that these laws will be on the books gives us an opportunity that if something does happen… the police have jurisdiction to pull over the youth and give them a ticket to an appearance,” said Supervisor Phillips. The law has not been passed yet, and is waiting on the state for approval.