NEW YORK — Mayor Mamdani announced Wednesday that he is reversing a controversial Adams-era policy that allowed the NYPD to issue criminal summons to e-bike riders and bicyclists for infractions that were not considered criminal when committed by drivers.

“Every New Yorker on our roads, whether driving or biking, deserves to be treated fairly,” the mayor said Wednesday in a statement. “By ending criminal summonses for low-level traffic offenses, we’re ensuring cyclists and e-bike riders — including those who deliver our food and groceries — are treated like others on the road.”

The outgoing policy, enacted by Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch under then-mayor Eric Adams last May, came amid concern over pedestrian safety given the high volume of e-bike traffic that has become commonplace on NYC streets.

It directed police to issue criminal summons to those riding bicycles or e-bikes for stop sign or traffic violations — requiring them to appear before a judge in criminal court or risk arrest.

The same violation in a car or a truck, meanwhile, remained a moving violation — a civil summons — that did not require a court appearance.

Mamdani’s Wednesday announcement effectively restores the pre-Adams status quo, treating low-level traffic offenses committed by cyclists no different under the law than those committed by drivers.

A spokesperson for the NYPD confirmed to the Daily News they would abide by the new policy. The mayor and police commissioner are opposed on several issues of public safety, through Mamdani asked her to stay on after she was appointed by Adams. Tisch was not quoted in the press release.

“This is the right move. We don’t issue criminal summonses for routine traffic violations in a car, so why would we have a harsher standard for someone on a bike?” Councilmember Shaun Abreu, chair of the Council’s Transportation Committee, said.

The announcement has no effect on speed limits for e-bikes, which Adams set at 15 mph last year.

Mamdani also announced that the Transportation Department will be launching a new training initiative on e-bike safety for delivery workers, as well as working with City Council on legislation to regulate the delivery apps that dispatch gig workers across the city, often on e-bikes.

As previously reported by the Daily News, the majority of cycling fatalities in the past three years have occurred on e-bikes.

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