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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Member of the Public on E-Bike Safety and Regulation
4:39:53
·
141 sec
A 71-year-old resident of Brooklyn recounts their recent experience of being hit by a bicycle while crossing the street in Manhattan, emphasizing the need for e-bike regulation and accountability. The speaker urges the passage of bill 606 to address safety concerns and hit-and-run incidents involving e-bikes.
- The speaker has had multiple near-misses with two-wheeled vehicles in recent years
- They describe being hit by a bicycle on December 9th, resulting in minor injuries
- The testimony highlights the potential benefits of e-bike licensing for identifying hit-and-run offenders
UNKNOWN
4:39:53
I'm born and raised from the Bronx.
4:39:55
I've lived, in Hell's Kitchen in the Upper West Side.
4:39:58
I now have been living in Brooklyn for 40 years.
4:40:01
In my 71 years, I have almost been hit by a car exactly one time.
4:40:07
In the past 3 years, I have almost been hit by a 2 wheeled vehicle four times.
4:40:12
And I mean really close calls.
4:40:15
I've been lucky that at my age, 71, I've been able to jump out of the way.
4:40:20
However, my luck changed this past Monday night, December 9th.
4:40:24
I was in Manhattan, crossing 58th Street at 8th Avenue, rushing to get across before the light changed.
4:40:31
There was a row of a line of cars stopped at the red light.
4:40:35
Before I knew it, I felt myself flung up in the air, and I saw a blur, a bike with a rider, pass by.
4:40:47
I landed on the back of my head and my elbow.
4:40:51
I looked up to my right and I saw 2 headlights staring back at me.
4:40:57
Again, I was lucky.
4:40:58
I didn't break any bones, I didn't pass out, the car did not proceed when the light changed.
4:41:04
I was able to get up and walk to the sidewalk.
4:41:07
I don't know if I was hit by a standard bike or an e bike, but if it had been an e bike with a license plate, a speed camera or a red light camera could have picked up the plate.
4:41:18
It could have read the plate, not what race the rider was, but it would have read the license plate.
4:41:24
As it is, the bike sped away, another unreported hit and run driver facing no consequences.
4:41:32
Again, I was lucky.
4:41:34
Despite the large swollen knob on my head, which is still quite painful, and and some bruises and scrapes, the ER doctor, here's my band, determined that I was neurologically fine and that there's no evidence of internal bleeding.
4:41:53
But as you've heard today, many are not as lucky as I.
4:41:57
Many many victims have suffered serious injuries, become disabled, or even, like Priscilla Loke and others, have been killed.
4:42:06
E ebike riders who commit crimes must be held accountable for the injuries they incur.
UNKNOWN
4:42:12
Thank
UNKNOWN
4:42:12
you.
4:42:12
Please pass bill 606.