This question is testing the PARALLELISM of a list. Whenever we see a list, we need to ask ourselves two questions: 1) what should the list elements be? (i.e. which elements are logically on the same level), and 2) are those elements in parallel structures?

In the sentence as written, we have:
A new York City ordinance of 1897
- regulated the use of bicycles,
- mandated a maximum speed of eight miles an hour,
- required of cyclist to keep feet on pedals and hands on handlebars at all times, and
- it granted pedestrians right-of-way.

The first three list items are parallel to each other, but the last one reintroduces a subject "it," and thus is not parallel.

However, just because there are four list items in the original, it does not have to follow that the correct answer must also have four list items. Are all of those things really comparable in meaning? It's possible that one of those could be modifying something else in the sentence.

I can't understand why one can use , regulating as the first verb

If we use "regulating," then it's not being used as one of the parallel verbs. It's a present participle modifying "ordinance." This makes sense, and so "regulating" does not need to be parallel to the others.


A. regulated the use of bicycles, mandated a maximum speed of eight miles an hour, required of cyclist to keep feet on pedals and hands on handlebars at all times, and it granted
Not parallel

B. regulated the use of bicycles, mandated a maximum speed of eight miles an hour, required of cyclist to keep feet on pedals and hands on handlebars at all times, granting
If this had said "regulated, mandated, and required, granting..." then the "granting" could be modifying all of the other elements. But we're missing the "and" here.

C. regulating the use of bicycles, mandated a maximum speed of eight miles an hour, required of cyclist to keep feet on pedals and hands on handlebars at all times, and it granted
Here, it's fine that "regulating" isn't parallel to the others - it's modifying "ordinance," which makes perfect sense. The problem again is the "it."

D. regulating the use of bicycles, mandated a maximum speed of eight miles an hour, required of cyclist that they keep feet on pedals and hands on handlebars at all times, and it granted
Same issues as C.

E. regulating the use of bicycles, mandated a maximum speed of eight miles an hour, required of cyclist to keep feet on pedals and hands on handlebars at all times, and granted
Correct! "Regulating" is modifying "ordinance," and "mandated, required, and granted" are all parallel.