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E-bike registration bill faces pushback
A proposed bill to require e-bikes and e-scooters in New York City to be registered with visible license plates is sparking controversy, as while supporters argue it would improve safety and accountability, critics say it unfairly targets migrant communities. FOX 5's Jessica Formoso has the story.
NEW YORK - New York City's Commissioner of the Department of Transportation has questioned whether a new bill aimed at regulating e-bikes and e-scooters in New York City would have unintended impacts on the city's migrant community.
The bill, introduced by Councilmember Robert Holden, seeks to require all e-vehicles to be registered with the Department of Transportation and display visible license plates.
Holden, who first proposed the bill, cited the growing number of accidents involving e-vehicles as the driving force behind the legislation. He named the bill "Priscilla’s Law" in honor of Priscilla Loke, a 69-year-old woman struck and killed by an e-bike in Chinatown in 2023.
"We need some controls," Holden told FOX 5. "The fact that they're not licensed is a problem because nobody can identify them. If you're hit by one of these vehicles, and thousands have been hit by these e-vehicles, if you go through a red light and you cause an accident and then you take off, we can track you down."
Supporters Highlight Safety Concerns
Advocates for the bill argue that registering e-bikes and e-scooters would improve safety and ensure accountability.
Janet Schroeder, co-founder of the New York City E-Vehicle Safety Alliance, emphasized the need for accountability. "There is never any accountability. Riders flee 90% of the time, but e-bike riders are getting killed too," she said.
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Critics Question Equity and Cost
Despite its intentions, the proposed legislation has faced criticism for its potential impact on low-income and migrant communities, many of whom rely on e-bikes for work. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez, who attended the hearing, expressed concerns about the bill’s unintended consequences.
"We support the intent of this bill, but we do not support this bill as the councilmember is introducing it today," Rodriguez said. "We are more than happy to work with the councilmember, to work with the chair and the speaker and all of you in a comprehensive task force."
Opponents argue that licensing e-bikes would impose significant costs on riders.
The bill currently has the support of 29 City Council members, more than half the votes needed for passage. However, it is unclear when it will be brought to the floor for a vote.