On Sept. 30, New York City Council held a hearing on the use of powered micromobility devices, such as e-bikes, and their safety use when on the road.
The council reviewed 23 pieces and its proposals to keep both pedestrians and riders safe. And with countless risks on the road, the Council should prioritize the lives of vulnerable micromobility users, since many are precarious workers.
The Council regulations state that any e-bike whose motor could go over 25 miles per hour would be considered illegal and not allowed on the road.
From the list of the 23 legislations that the Council reviewed, the majority included proposals for pedestrians and riders, but also included proposals for delivery service companies and employees. One particular proposal included the prohibition of advertising and sale of class three e-bikes, which are capable of going over the required motor speed limit and are therefore prohibited.
The protection of civilians, especially workers, has been one of the top priorities of New York City. According to an article from the CUNY Urban Food Policy Institute, over 80% of food delivery drivers that work via applications report the application deciding the route, delivery speed and the working hours they are required to follow.
“More than half (52%) worry about deactivation, that is, getting blocked by the apps from accessing shifts and earning income, if they do not complete deliveries quickly enough,” the CUFPI reported.
The Council reported during their hearing that delivery workers make up over 40% of the city’s daily traffic, and within the 40%, over 30% have reported collisions and injuries within the past year.
In June 2024, delivery service riders were ranked as the top most dangerous job in NYC. Between January of 2021 and June of 2022, 36 out of every 100,000 delivery workers died on the job.
“That’s more than 5 times the fatality rate for construction workers in New York City, which was seven for every 100,000 in 2020, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics,” according to Jalopnik.
Delivery workers risk their lives while on the road. Many accidents are reported on the news on a daily basis. It is time that the council takes actions to protect the riders.
