PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Peter Beadle, Co-chair of Transportation Committee at Queens Community Board 6
3:32:29
·
140 sec
Peter Beadle testifies in opposition to Intro 606 and in favor of Intro 1131, arguing that Intro 606 will not improve street safety and may lead to discriminatory enforcement. He emphasizes that e-bikes are legally defined as bicycles and explains why the proposed registration requirements may violate state law.
- Beadle identifies himself as a resident of Rego Park, Queens, and a personal injury attorney representing victims of traffic crashes.
- He argues that e-bikes are legally defined as bicycles under New York State law, not motor vehicles.
- Beadle contends that Intro 606 may violate General Municipal Law 180 by imposing fees and potentially restricting the free use of bicycles.
Peter Beadle
3:32:29
Thank you.
3:32:30
Good afternoon, chair Brooks Powers and council members.
3:32:34
Thank you for the opportunity to testify here in opposition to 606 and in favor of 1131.
3:32:39
606 will not make our streets safer, will dissuade people from taking up bike ridership, will result in discriminatory enforcement, and will take time and attention from the true causes of over 200 deaths a year on our busy city streets.
3:32:53
I'm Peter Beadle, a 25 year resident of Rego Park, Queens, 1st vice chair of Queen's Community Board 6, where I also sir serve as the co chair of its Transportation Committee.
3:33:02
Though, I am here in my personal capacity only, and my my statements do not reflect the views of the board.
3:33:08
I'm also a personal injury attorney representing hundreds of pedestrians and people riding bikes who've been seriously injured or even killed by drivers.
3:33:15
And I'm such I'm very familiar with the causes of these crashes and the contributing factors of the crashes, that cause these devastating injuries.
3:33:23
And I believe this bill violates New York State law.
3:33:27
First, despite the constant conflation I have seen from many, electric bicycles are bicycles.
3:33:33
VTL 102 dash c defines electric bicycles as bicycles which meet certain criteria, motor size, top assisted speeds, etcetera.
3:33:41
The legislature had the option of defining them as a subset of motorcycles, like mopeds, but chose not to, and correctly so.
3:33:50
So there's really no debate.
3:33:52
They are not motor vehicles or mopeds or in any way equivalent to £3,000 plus vehicles that kill the vast, vast majority of our fellow New Yorkers, well over 92%.
3:34:05
And as bicycles, while the city can certainly regulate and should regulate their use, no riding on the sidewalk, for instance, it cannot prevent people from the free use of these bicycles or impose a fee for their use.
3:34:20
Doing so would violate general municipal law 180.
3:34:24
Anyone who for whatever reason cannot register their e bike lacks their required ability to pay the fee would be prohibited under this bill from free use of their bicycle.
3:34:36
That's not legal.
3:34:37
And I urge the adoption of 1131 to actually get at the true causes of over 92% of the deaths on our streets instead of diverting our time and energy into consideration of something that will not solve the problem.
Selvena N. Brooks-Powers
3:34:48
Thank you.
Peter Beadle
3:34:48
Thank you very much.
3:34:49
Peter.
