Mayor Adams Announces Illegal Mopeds and Scooters Enforcement

By Idy Perl

Mayor Adams and NYPD Commissioner Edward A. Caban announced a summer enforcement initiative to remove illegal mopeds, bikes, motorized scooters, ATVs, and unregistered vehicles from city streets. 

Since 2022, crimes involving illegal mopeds and scooters have steadily been increasing, and the warm summer months usually see an uptick in those crimes. In 2023, the NYPD confiscated over 18,000 illegal motorized bikes and scooters. This year, the NYPD has already confiscated more than 13,000, bringing the total number to nearly 42,000 since Mayor Adams came into office.

“Mopeds and scooters are not only endangering pedestrians when they are driven recklessly, but we have also seen an exponential increase in criminals using them to ride around and snatch property from New Yorkers,” Mayor Adams said. “That’s why the NYPD will be ramping up a summer enforcement strategy to curb use of these illegal and unregistered vehicles. We are sending an important message to everyone who drives on the streets of our city: no one is above the law, and if you drive an illegal vehicle, you will face the consequences — and so will your vehicle.”

photos: Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office