PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Miriam Fischer, Transportation and Disability Rights Activist, on Intro 606
7:38:05
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127 sec
Miriam Fischer, a transportation and disability rights activist, testified in support of Intro 606, which would require licensing and registration of e-bikes. She emphasized the need for accountability in bike-related accidents and shared her personal experience of being hit by a taxi.
- Fischer argued that licensing is a crucial step towards accountability, especially given the high number of hit-and-run incidents involving bikes.
- She rejected comparisons to unsuccessful licensing attempts in other cities, citing New York City's unique volume of daily trips.
- Fischer highlighted the underreporting of bike accidents and the need for more accurate statistics on incidents.
Miriam Fischer
7:38:05
Okay.
7:38:06
I thank, council member, Brooks Powers for her patience and her empathy.
7:38:16
I'm you're I'm supporting 606.
7:38:19
I'm a transportation activist and disability rights activist, especially for accessibility on the subway with elevators.
7:38:27
I was hit by a yellow cab in 1984 in a coma for 9 days, changed my life, multiple back surgeries, hearing loss, permanent outcomes.
7:38:40
So I applaud alter alternative to the cars.
7:38:44
I applaud bikes as an alternative, more and better bike lanes.
7:38:49
But talking about safety and not repeating many of the things today, most hits by bikes or pedestrians are hit and run.
7:38:58
Licensing is a first step towards exact accountability.
7:39:02
I reject examples of unsuccessful licensing from other cities, which do not have New York City's 200,000,000 trips per day according to commissioner Rodriguez earlier today.
7:39:17
Yes.
7:39:17
There will be less spikes, with licensing, but millions of riders still left to maintain safety for, safety and numbers as transportation alternative advocates.
7:39:34
Statistics for accidents don't reflect real numbers.
7:39:38
We heard that over and over today with horrible heartbreaking stories of people who were injured.
7:39:45
They couldn't report it because they left the scene of the accident, and the and an ambulance went to the hospital, had plates in their bodies, terrible stories.
7:39:55
How can we make for accountability and statistics that represent what really happened?
7:40:02
I have seen I have stood on the street with local police watching bikes going through red lights.
7:40:08
No action before
UNKNOWN
7:40:09
Thank you.
UNKNOWN
7:40:09
Your time has expired.
Miriam Fischer
7:40:11
Ahead of the
