PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Jim Burke, Member of the Public, on E-bike Legislation
3:02:22
·
128 sec
Jim Burke, a member of the public and safe street advocate, testified against Intro 606 and in favor of investing in bike infrastructure to improve safety. He shared his personal experience using e-bikes after a heart attack and emphasized the importance of safe infrastructure for all road users.
- Burke supports efforts to improve safety but believes Intro 606 is not the solution
- He highlighted the need for wider bike lanes and better infrastructure, particularly on bridges
- Burke argued that investing in bike infrastructure would make the city safer for all road users, including pedestrians and drivers
Jim Burke
3:02:22
My name is, Jim Burke.
3:02:24
Thank you for having this hearing.
3:02:27
I'm completely against, 606.
3:02:30
I had a major heart attack, right during the pandemic, and the way I get around the city when I have to cross a bridge is actually using a city, e bike.
3:02:43
I'm a safe street advocate, not paid.
3:02:46
I'm a volunteer, and I am a 100% for anything that would make this city safer.
3:02:54
I spend my time in Jackson Heights and in Rockaway, and that's super important to me.
3:03:00
If I thought this would do that, I would be for it.
3:03:03
I really like your introduction, your law, to find out what's gonna make it safe.
3:03:07
But we already know things that are proven, and that's why bike lanes make it safe for everyone.
3:03:15
When I come here on the bridge, I share an 11 foot wide lane with 2 lanes of traffic, 2 to across the Queensborough Bridge, 2 lanes of of of, people walking, jogging, and bicycling.
3:03:31
And also, unlicensed mopeds and motorcycles.
3:03:35
We share 11 feet in this city to get and so that money that's, like, they said $20,000,000 just to, they think, just to get started on this.
3:03:47
If you could put that into bike infrastructure, we'd all be safer.
3:03:51
It's a fact.
3:03:53
Riders, bike, pedestrians, and people in their cars all become safer when we have this wide infrastructure.
3:04:02
So I'm begging you guys not to get distracted and, by this legislation.
3:04:07
Let's do the correct thing, make people safer, and that's investing in the city and infrastructure, which ironically, Ariola, Holden, and the other one always block in their neighborhoods.
3:04:23
So we want safe infrastructure for all of us, and I appreciate, finding what that is.
3:04:29
Thank you.
Selvena N. Brooks-Powers
3:04:30
Thank you.
