PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Esther Blount on E-bike Regulation and Safety
3:20:39
·
139 sec
Esther Blount testified in support of Intro 606 (Priscilla's Law), advocating for the regulation and licensing of e-bikes due to safety concerns. She emphasized the need for accountability and safety measures, particularly for vulnerable populations such as seniors, people with disabilities, and children.
- Blount argued that e-bikes are more dangerous than regular bicycles due to their weight and speed.
- She addressed concerns about the impact on minorities, suggesting that gentrification and exodus from the city would mitigate these issues.
- Blount concluded that licensing and registration of e-bikes would promote both safety and micromobility.
Esther Blount
3:20:39
Prestas?
3:20:40
Hello.
3:20:42
Wait.
3:20:42
Okay.
3:20:43
Hello.
3:20:43
My name is Esther Blount and I support Priscilla's Law 606.
3:20:49
I find it very funny that when it comes to ebikes, safety goes out the window.
3:20:56
Bike lane has been have been constructed for the purpose of safety.
3:21:01
Open streets are created and are called safe streets.
3:21:05
But somehow victims who are killed or injured on e bikes do not fall in this safety category.
3:21:14
I pray that this city council does not feel that the body count is not high enough for it to fall into this safety cap, category.
3:21:27
E bikes are in bicycles.
3:21:29
And because of their weight and speed, they cause much more damage and are much more dangerous than a regular bike.
3:21:38
E bikes need to be regulated and licensed because of several factors.
3:21:43
The enormous amount of seniors in this city who are afraid to cross the street include people with disabilities, individual who are blind or deaf, and children playing on open streets.
3:22:00
I don't want e bites banned, but we demand safety for all.
3:22:05
As for the idea that this will be hurting minorities who will be subject to additional police stops or who can't afford the price of licensing and registration, there's no need to worry because, frankly, the number of minorities leaving New York City is very high and continue to grow.
3:22:27
As all of us know, gentrification has taken over this city.
3:22:31
The falsehood that the city of yes will provide additional affordable housing will only help with this exodus.
3:22:43
One one last sentence.
3:22:44
E bikes can't help if riders are held accountable.
3:22:48
License and registered.
3:22:50
Registration will help to that end.
3:22:54
We would then have safety and Michael Mobility.
