E-bikes and e-scooters used in New York City should be required to be registered like cars, elected officials and traffic safety advocates demanded Wednesday.
During a Park Row rally outside City Hall on Dec. 6, the group pushed for a swift hearing of a bill, introduced by Council Member Robert Holden in 2022, mandating that all legal e-mobility devices — including e-bikes and e-scooters — to be registered with the Department of Transportation and equipped with a license plate.
It has the support of 32 Council members, down from 34 after two Brooklyn officials, Sandy Nurse and Rita Joseph, withdrew support. Supporters hope the Council will take up the bill before the end of their current session, on Dec. 31.
E-mobility devices are the preferred mode of transportation for food delivery drivers and are becoming increasingly popular with everyday New Yorkers. The devices can reach speeds of about 25 mph, but safety advocates claim that some can go even faster if they’re workshopped.
Rally-goers highlighted the need for accountability of e-mobility riders, alleging that far too many of these riders ignore traffic laws, plow through red lights, and race down sidewalks at high speeds, injuring and sometimes even killing pedestrians and cyclists.
With congestion pricing soon to become a reality in Manhattan, concerns about the safety of e-mobility devices are rising — with many in attendance Wednesday fearful that the number of e-bikes and e-scooters on New York City’s streets will only increase as drivers look to avoid increased tolls.
When asked why Council Speaker Adrienne Adams has yet to hold a hearing on the issue, Holden said that was “the million-dollar question” and told press to “follow the money” — alluding to the fact that Lyft, which owns Citi Bike, has been an outspoken opponent against the bill.
“You want to be able to walk the streets; you want the freedom to walk safely,” Holden said.
But Transportation Alternatives —…
Read the full article here
Leave a Reply