PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Jackson Chabot, Director of Advocacy and Organizing at Open Plans
2:54:36
·
129 sec
Jackson Chabot, representing Open Plans, testifies in opposition to Intro 606 and in support of Intro 1131. He argues that bike licensing disproportionately impacts marginalized communities, particularly people of color, citing research by Dr. Charles Brown from Rutgers University.
- Chabot emphasizes that bike licensing policies often carry racial and socioeconomic biases, potentially criminalizing Black, Indigenous, and people of color.
- He highlights concerns about the enforcement of bike laws, stating that it can lead to further racial profiling and over-policing in communities of color.
- The testimony underscores how licensing fees and potential fines can perpetuate cycles of poverty and criminalization for BIPOC individuals who rely on bikes for daily commuting.
Jackson Chabot
2:54:36
Good afternoon.
2:54:37
My name is Jackson Chabot, and I'm testifying today as the director of advocacy and organ organ organizing of open plans.
2:54:43
We're here to unequivocally oppose introduction 606 while we support 1131 from the chair.
2:54:50
Research shows from Rutgers professor, doctor Charles Brown, that licensing bikes disproportionately impacts marginalized communities, particularly peoples people of color.
2:54:59
Doctor Brown argues that bike licensing policies often carry racial and socioeconomic biases, making them an inherently discriminatory practice.
2:55:09
These policies may disproportionately criminalize black, indigenous, and people of color, especially in urban areas where cycling is a common low cost transportation option for low income individuals.
2:55:21
Inherent to the proposed bill and another layer of racial disparity is the policy policing and enforcement of bike laws.
2:55:29
In many cities, bike licensing is linked to fines and pen fines and or penalties for cycling without proper documentation.
2:55:38
Doctor Brown's research shows that and studies have shown that enforcement of minor infractions infractions disproportionately directed at black and brown individuals even in situations where the infraction may be relatively harmless.
2:55:51
This reflects broader patterns of racial profiling over policing in communities of color.
2:55:56
When these individuals are stopped for not having a bike license, it often leads to fines they cannot afford or in some cases, bikes haven't been impounded further disrupting their ability and to access essential services and jobs.
2:56:09
Doctor Brown points out that many BIPOC individuals rely on bikes for daily commuting due to economic necessity.
2:56:16
For these communities, the added burden of licensing fees along with the potential for fines or compensations of bikes being unregistered can result in the cycle of poverty and criminalization being perpetuated.
2:56:28
In cities with high rates of policing and low income neighborhoods and bike licensing laws have been disproportionately enforced against BIPOC individuals further entrenching racial racial inequities.
2:56:39
I'll submit longer testimony, but to reiterate, we support the chair's bill 1131 while opposing intro 606.
