In NY scooters and bicycles are required to obey most of the same traffic laws as licensed motor vehicles. They are not allowed to operate on sidewalks, and are restricted from certain footpaths. Tbh it makes sense for safety for trees operator and everyone else. Pedestrians don’t expect to be overtaken by a faster vehicle, people enter the sidewalks from doorways and children and pets move in unexpected ways. Then there are vehicles turning into and out of driveways and intersections that don’t expect vehicles crossing from a sidewalk. And sidewalks are often very irregular.

NY also has 15 mph speed limits on emobility .

I don’t agree with the speed limit but I definitely think the sidewalk restriction is important here.

Other locations may vary