PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Ron Wisniewski, Resident of Hell's Kitchen
3:25:46
·
120 sec
Ron Wisniewski, a long-time resident of Hell's Kitchen, testifies about the dangers posed by reckless bike riders in Manhattan, emphasizing the need for accountability and supporting the passage of Priscilla's law. He criticizes the lack of action to address the crisis and expresses gratitude to victims sharing their stories.
- Highlights the prevalence of bike riders breaking traffic laws and causing accidents
- Argues that the problem is not due to automobiles or lack of bike infrastructure, but rather law-breaking cyclists
- Criticizes council members who left before hearing public testimony
- Expresses support for Council Members who stayed to listen, particularly Bob Holden
Ron Wisniski
3:25:46
My name is Ron Wisniewski.
3:25:48
I've lived in Hell's Kitchen for 45 years.
3:25:51
The chaos and danger on our streets caused by bike riders doing whatever they please with no accountability is self evident.
3:25:57
If you live in Manhattan, you have had close calls with bike riders traveling against traffic, through red lights, and on sidewalks.
3:26:05
The victims of this free for all come from all walks of life and age groups and include bike riders themselves.
3:26:12
The intensity and violence of e bike versus pedestrian crashes often result in life changing disability and even death.
3:26:21
These senseless, sometimes gruesome injuries are not caused by evil automobiles, as some would have you believe, nor are they due to a lack of more poorly designed, ugly bike lane infrastructure.
3:26:35
They are caused by selfish and titled bike riders breaking the law.
3:26:41
Over the past 3 years, precious little has been done to address this crisis, and the living hell that our streets have become just keeps getting worse.
3:26:50
The victims of this carnage have nothing to gain if this bill or a 100 other bills on this subject pass.
3:26:57
The damage to their lives is done.
3:27:00
They tell their harrowing stories, reliving their trauma only because they don't want us to suffer their fate.
3:27:10
That's a very noble thing to do.
3:27:13
For act for that, we owe them a deep debt of gratitude.
3:27:17
But most of all, we owe them an end to this nightmare.
3:27:23
Pass Priscilla's law.
3:27:25
By the way, I was not paid to appear here today, and my words are my own.
3:27:29
And madam chairman, please tell your colleagues it's a disgrace they did not stay to listen to this, testimony.
3:27:36
And I salute you for staying, we probably had to, but I hope there's a little something extra in your pay envelope.
3:27:42
And Bob Holden, you're a gentleman and a scholar.
3:27:45
Thank you very much.
