PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Janet Schroeder, Director and Cofounder of E-Vehicle Safety Alliance, on E-bike Safety and Regulation
2:17:43
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132 sec
Janet Schroeder, representing the E-Vehicle Safety Alliance, testifies in support of Priscilla's Law and addresses concerns about e-bike safety in New York City. She emphasizes the need for accountability and regulation of e-bikes to improve safety for all street users, particularly vulnerable populations like older adults and the disabled.
- Highlights the discrepancy between official DOT statistics and the actual number of e-bike related injuries and accidents.
- Argues against claims that the proposed legislation unfairly targets people of color, calling it a "false diversion tactic".
- Advocates for the use of license plates and cameras to enforce e-bike regulations, stating that this approach doesn't involve direct police intervention.
Janet Schroeder
2:17:43
Hi.
2:17:43
I'm thanking you for holding a hearing on Priscilla's Law.
2:17:47
I'm Janet Schroeder, director and cofounder of the E Vehicle Safety Alliance.
2:17:51
We're a group of unpaid, unfunded New Yorkers who represent the majority voice in New York City on the solutions to e vehicle violence.
2:17:58
We're not anti bike or e bike.
2:18:00
We're pro safety for all who share our streets.
2:18:03
We have over 200 cyclists in our group, including cyclist victims.
2:18:07
Older adults and disabled are the most vulnerable to this public health crisis.
2:18:11
It is entirely ageist and ableist to not recognize and consider this fact.
2:18:16
In our group alone, we have 98 victims, a mere sample of the tens of thousands of seriously injured pedestrian, cyclist, and e bikers.
2:18:24
90% of their crashes have no police report.
2:18:28
And in 90% of these crashes, over 90%, the rider flees the scene.
2:18:32
It is so much worse than the DOT stats show.
2:18:35
They do have correct stats on those killed, but completely skewed stats on those injured.
2:18:41
The wealthy special interest bike lobby says that this bill unfairly targets people of color.
2:18:46
This is a false diversion tactic and it's complete fear mongering.
2:18:49
Stop.
2:18:51
We care about e bike riders dying and getting injured.
2:18:53
Changing their behavior by holding them accountable to safer riding will save their lives.
2:18:58
Of the 30 bikers who died last year, 23 were on e bikes.
2:19:02
Ebikes are not bicycles.
2:19:03
They weigh 60 to £70, have motors, brake more slowly, should not be in the same class, and should require plates.
2:19:09
We care about these ebikers dying and getting injured.
2:19:13
We must change their behavior.
2:19:14
Police don't chase down ebikers and never should.
2:19:17
Having identical plates doesn't involve police.
2:19:20
It's about the cameras.
2:19:22
Cameras don't choose who to ticket based on anything but behavior, and this bill includes all e bikes.
2:19:27
E city bikes are some of the absolute worst offenders.
2:19:30
They say infrastructure is the answer.
2:19:32
Stop.
2:19:32
We're not anti bike lanes, but they aren't the solution.
2:19:35
How does a bike lane or a wider big bike lane stop a rider from speeding through a red light?
2:19:40
Consequence is what shapes behavior, and the dangerous riding hasn't changed because there's been no consequence.
2:19:46
The last thing, TA says, but the cars, Cars are already regulated.
2:19:50
More women die of heart disease than cancer, but we still try to find a cure for cancer.
2:19:54
Thank you.
