PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Bonnie Gerard, Member of the Public, on E-bike Safety and Regulation
6:15:22
·
132 sec
Bonnie Gerard provides a personal account of being hit by an e-bike, resulting in significant injuries and medical expenses. She advocates for e-bike licensing, insurance, and adherence to traffic rules to improve safety for pedestrians and other road users.
- Describes a specific incident where she was hit by an e-bike while standing on a sidewalk, resulting in multiple injuries
- Highlights the difficulty in reporting e-bike accidents and the need for better data collection
- Expresses support for Intro 606-2024, which would require licensing and registration of e-bikes
Bonnie Gerard
6:15:22
Thank you.
6:15:25
Good afternoon.
6:15:26
My name is Bonnie Gerard.
6:15:28
Thank you for permitting me to tell my victim's story regarding an ebike that crashed into me.
6:15:35
I live on the Upper East Side.
6:15:37
Last October, I was standing on the corner of 80th Street and Second Avenue around 6 PM.
6:15:43
I was standing on the sidewalk waiting for the light to change.
6:15:46
A car wanted to make a legal left turn.
6:15:49
The e bike would not wait, but wanted to get ahead of the car.
6:15:53
He went smack into me on the sidewalk.
6:15:57
I had a patella fracture on my right knee, stitches on my left knee.
6:16:01
The entire left side of my body was bruised with a mild concussion.
6:16:05
I am happy to be alive and here.
6:16:08
I am re I required medical attention and physical therapy for months.
6:16:12
Additionally, 1,000 of dollars of expenses.
6:16:16
I fell back on my head, hit the garbage can, and I was in pain all over.
6:16:21
I was rushed to the ER.
6:16:23
After numerous tests and 6 hours later, I was released to start therapy and a difficult healing process for more than a year.
6:16:32
All our alliance is asking is to have e bikes licensed and insured and be safe by following traffic rules.
6:16:40
Bikers now behave as they did during COVID as though no one is on the street.
6:16:44
Of course, we want the public to enjoy biking, but at this present time, cars and pedestrians are not safe.
6:16:51
We need to turn our heads 360 degrees to cross the street now.
6:16:56
For correct data, the community has to know where to report accidents.
6:17:01
I was told to make out a motor vehicle report.
6:17:05
We cannot even call 311.
6:17:07
They do not know where to report these accidents.
6:17:11
Other cities such as Manasquan in Hoboken, New Jersey are requiring helmets, registration, and insurance, which I hope New York City will also require.
6:17:21
That is why I am in favor of Priscilla's 0606 dash 2024.
6:17:27
Thank you, and especially thank councilman Holden for all your attention to this matter.
Selvena N. Brooks-Powers
6:17:32
Thank you.
Bonnie Gerard
6:17:34
Thank you.
