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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Michael Giurbino, Member of the Public, on E-bike Safety Concerns
4:12:52
·
134 sec
Michael Giurbino, a lifelong New Yorker, testified about his concerns regarding the proliferation of e-bikes in the city, emphasizing the safety risks they pose to pedestrians. He expressed strong support for Priscilla's law and criticized the lack of regulation and enforcement surrounding e-bike usage.
- Described numerous dangerous behaviors of e-bike riders, including running red lights, riding on sidewalks, and going against traffic
- Shared personal experiences of being injured and threatened by e-bike riders
- Highlighted a recent incident where an e-bike collided with his infant granddaughter's stroller
Michael Giurbino
4:12:52
Thank you for holding this hearing.
4:12:55
My name is Michael Giurbino.
4:12:57
I'm a lifelong New Yorker.
4:12:59
I'm a husband, a father, and a grandfather.
4:13:03
I'm here today to advocate for Priscilla's law and to tell you that I no longer feel safe walking around the city because of the current proliferation of ebikes that have taken over our streets and sidewalks.
4:13:18
When I leave my apartment building now, I literally look both ways on the sidewalk because ebikes are flying down my sidewalk.
4:13:28
This is something that the commissioner even mentioned that he when he leaves his house, the dock commissioner, that he steps out first before his 2 daughters.
4:13:39
I don't know how he cannot support the spill.
4:13:42
It's preposterous.
4:13:44
In short, I'm in constant fear of being hit by a bike.
4:13:48
This is what I encounter daily.
4:13:51
Ebikes running red lights and stop signs.
4:13:54
Ebikes riding on the sidewalk.
4:13:56
Ebikes creeping up and idling behind me on the sidewalk.
4:14:00
Ebikes riding in the opposite direction of traffic.
4:14:03
Ebikes driving diagonally across avenues.
4:14:06
Ebikes knifing through crosswalks.
4:14:09
Ebikes riding at full speed at pedestrians.
4:14:13
That's very common.
4:14:14
You're crossing the street and they ride at full speed and they stop.
4:14:18
It's it's disconcerting.
4:14:21
This is not to mention the innumerable fires that lithium batteries have caused throughout the city.
4:14:28
Something that I have firsthand experience with.
4:14:31
I have been clipped, run into, injured, intimidated, cursed at, and threatened by e bike riders.
4:14:39
On 2 separate occasions last week, an ebike drove into my infant granddaughter in a stroller.
4:14:46
11 month old granddaughter.
4:14:49
I had to yell at them and they what did they do?
4:14:51
They yelled back at me.
4:14:52
It's it's completely preposterous.
4:14:55
I literally am in fear of taking my granddaughter out on the street.
4:15:00
So I know my time is up.
4:15:02
So You
Selvena N. Brooks-Powers
4:15:02
you can submit the full
Michael Giurbino
4:15:04
text message.
4:15:04
So thank you for your time.